Unveiling "Turquerie": A Fusion of Cultures in Fashion

Catalina Paladi's Award-Winning Womenswear Collection Inspired by the Ottoman Empire

Paladi's inspiration stems from the Ottoman Empire's open-minded approach to foreign cultures. The empire's tolerant politics towards conquered territories led to a vibrant, multicultural society where Byzantine, European, and Persian influences thrived. This collection and its campaign, shot against a folkloric Moldovan backdrop, underscore the importance of cultural interaction and encourage viewers to appreciate the richness of different cultures.

"Turquerie" is a maximalist collection, dynamic and full of textile ornaments, colours, embellishments, accessories, and jewellery, all intended to eloquently reflect the Ottoman influence with a modern allure. Luxury materials such as jacquards, velvet, and chiffon create both chromatic contrast and fluidity, enriching the simple shapes and clean modern lines. The collection offers six silhouettes, providing a wide range of outfits for every occasion.

The collection's realization required a blend of modern and traditional techniques. Due to the delicate nature of the fabrics, many stitches were hand-sewn, harking back to old-school methods. The six silhouettes include a modern velvet jumpsuit, a classic velvet suit with a jacquard vest featuring a mosque-like ornament, a jacquard tunic with chiffon layered sleeves, a jacquard ornamented dress with a chiffon kaftan with ruffled sleeves, a chiffon dress with a striped golden jacquard overcoat, and a chiffon maxi dress with a long velvet vest.

Paladi faced several challenges during the design process. The volume of labour was daunting for one person, involving CAD pattern making, cutting and sewing the cotton mock-ups, cutting and sewing the final pieces, and multiple fittings and alterations. The delicate fabrics required special care, with many stitches hand-sewn. The project also involved extensive research, as it served as the final coursework for Paladi's Textile Engineering Degree.

Despite these challenges, "Turquerie" emerged as a collection that places Ottoman Empire inspiration into a modern context, creating an eclectic blend of styles with an ethnic influence. The materials used, such as jacquard, velvet, and chiffon, create both chromatic and rigidity contrasts, adorning the simple shapes and clean lines. The collection's campaign marries Paladi's Moldovan roots with her passion for multiculturalism, resulting in a rich blend of colour, print, and texture.

With "Turquerie", Catalina Paladi has not only created a stunning collection but also a narrative that celebrates the beauty of cultural diversity and the power of fashion as a medium of expression. It is a testament to her talent and vision that this collection has been recognized with the Silver A' Fashion, Apparel and Garment Design Award, a prestigious accolade awarded to designs that showcase outstanding expertise and innovation.