Application of ready-made decoration motifs and techniques in Turkish art to leather products in today's fashion (clothing and accessories)

Leather has been one of the most significant materials that the humankind needs in his daily routine since the primeval era till the modern-day. In the beginning, while the leather was mainly preferred to be used in functional products due to its solid structure, artistic dimension has been added to it in time thanks to its aesthetic value.Human's ability to learn how to give a shape and tan the leather, which enableslonger use and processing, has been one of the most leading factor of its gaining an aesthetic aspect. The areas of leather and leather products' use and forms, which are considered among the irreplaceable materials of fashion today, have been expanded with the advancement of innovative technology. Turkish society has produced distinct, aesthetic and elegant motifs by means of expressing their emotions within the frame of their vital phenomena such as their experiences, loves, sorrows and wars. Gradual formation and unity of the patterns and motifs along with the Turks' transition from the nomadism to sedentary life started with the establishment of Nakkaşhane in Topkapı Palace after the conquest of Istanbul. Since Ottoman art have been developed under the control of the palace, similar patterns are seen in all branches of art, especially in the classical period. Decorative motifs in traditional leather clothes and accessories, havebecome the symbol and representative of the nation that they have flourished. Furthermore, as a real artist, the Turkish nation has stylized the nature by being inspired by the beauty of it in the best manner, rather than imitating it. The motifs, which have been produced in thousands by various artists from different cultures who have been influenced by each other in the course of the history, have become the essential elements of decorative arts. In the light of datathat have been gathered for this thesis, how the traditional motives bearing meaning can be applied to unique leather clothes and accessorieswill be explained in this thesis by providing sufficient examples regarding how fashion occasionally adapts various elements from different cultures to the modern life.