Abstract

Historical heritage has become an important issue for national textile production. While innovative production methods have been improved, the traditional techniques are not being forgotten. For Turkey, the Ottoman influence on Turkish textile is considered priceless because the Ottoman art of textile-making is an example of some of the world’s finest textiles. Those textiles were woven with cotton, wool, shimmering silk and metallic (gold and silver) threads. Ottoman fabrics are unique in regard to their weaving features, the materials used and their designs. Although, the number and weight of the warp threads gave the fabric its quality, the designs were rich in motifs with strong contrasting colors harmony; reflecting the exquisite Turkish taste. These eye catching fabrics inspire Turkish and foreign fashion designers today. This study started with the meaning and the importance of clothing for the Ottomans. Some of the special fabric types and their properties, and the designs on the fabrics were illustrated. One of the most impressive characteristics of the Ottoman fabrics, which are their colors and the dye materials, 100 % organic dyes, were mentioned briefly. Some important works of modern Turkish designers who were inspired by Ottoman and Anatolia heritage were presented. Also mentioned are the fashion designers whose intention is to bring this heritage up to date and apply it to their modern fashion designs. The Natural Dye Research and Development Laboratory (DATU), one of the world’s most advanced laboratories in the research and development of natural dyes, established in Istanbul by the Turkish Cultural Foundation, was introduced and their contributions to the Ottoman textile heritage were mentioned.