A research on the development and fashion parameters of Turkish leather clothing industry

Leather has been one of the most important materials in human life, beginning from the earliest eras. Used of its tough and enduring specialties, the leather was in the foreground at first; then its aesthetical values has brought in. The reasons of broad usage of the leather can be specified as; its ability to take shape, process convenience and the discovery of its tanning which provides its long lasting usage. Thus, the usage field of the leather has improved. The basis of the pioneering Turks in usage of the leather can be observed almost in all periods, coming from the middle Asia Turks. Beside the stockbreeding which has an important role in daily life, the cold climate conditions have provided the leather processing an occasion. Turks of Middle Asia, have carried their knowledge and craftsmanship to the Anatolia with their migration and provided Anatolia to be an important center in this field. The social and cultural structure of Anatolia has an important role on gaining different forms and range of the artworks. The Turkish societies like Seljuk and the Ottomans which were land lorded by Anatolia, have also provided important contributions in the improvement of leather trade and leather art. Like the ?Ahi? organization in Seljuk period; the Ottomans have also established a union in Istanbul to upgrade the leather trade and leather craft. In spite of the use of leather in assorted cultures at all periods of the history, it shows difference between the leather?s usage areas, symbolic meanings, etc. The strong structure of the leather is the most important reason of its use. However, by the time, because of the influences between the cultures, leather becomes to be used in similar techniques and especially at garment; leather becomes to be a symbol of different ideological ideas. Development of communication is the most important reason of this variation. The use of leather as a part of the fashion begins at sixties. Italian fashion designers who are in lookout, guiding leather producing firms, provided the production of the leather kind which can be used in the garments. Thus, leather has begun to take place in the world fashion platform. The Turkish leather trade which has a fundamental history has started to take part in the world fashion arena by offering qualified and reasonable cost products. Especially the north countries, which have cold climate where the leather usage in the garments is obligatory, are the most important market base of Turkey?s leather sector. In the countries like Russia and Eastern Europe countries, which affect the leather garment designs; many Turkish leather garment firms are supplied appendage to the Turkish economy. Parallel to the improving technology, the leather sector today, has catched the world standards by its leather and leather garment designs.