The task of designing the historical panorama created by these garments and their fabrics, colors and textures took over a year and a half. “One professor told me I was an ignorant fool,” says Saraç. “You don’t know the Ottomans so how are you going to do this? I can’t think of another project that demanded such hard work, because we created this collection by reproducing almost everything piece by piece. From turbans and kid shoes to handmade buttons, jewelry and original caftans, every single item is the result of an extraordinary effort.”

700 YEARS OF HISTORY
The first step in the project was the opening of the caftan section of Topkapi Palace. One by one patterns were taken of the caftans, robes, shalvar and shirts, jackets, pants, embroidery and other decorations. “Not one of these garments is a figment of the imagination.