NEW YORK - A Turkish institution aiming at the promotion of Turkish traditional clothing and handicrafts held a fashion show in New York, USA on Tuesday.
A total of 58 costumes designed and prepared by 20 young designers of "Ankara Olgunlasma Institute" were displayed at a show held under the auspices of the Turkish Consul General in New York Mehmet Samsar.
Numerous Turkish, American and foreign guests watched the show which featured samples from the Ottoman period, Anatolia`s traditional clothes, modern evening gowns and the collection of "Ataturk`s clothing".
Speaking to reporters prior to the show, Samsar said Ankara Olgunlasma Institute was one of the most prestigious fashion schools of Turkey.
Canan Yakin, deputy manager of the institute, said that all the costumes and accessories displayed at the show were prepared at the premises of the institute.
"Our goal is to introduce the Turkish culture, the delicate Turkish style and the traditional Turkish handicrafts to foreigners," Yakin said.
Apart from representatives of the Turkish media, journalists from the U.S. newspapers New York Times and Daily News and the fashion magazine Elle watched the institute`s show.
Ankara Olgunlasma Institute, founded in 1958, introduces, searches, develops and keeps alive the Turkish traditional clothing and handicrafts those have great importance in Turkish culture. By doing this, the Institute is also transmitting the cultural heritage from one generation to the other without changing its own characteristics.
(DO-MS)