Ikat Silks Showcased
Bokhara, Uzbekistan 2012
We went to a fashion show thinking we’d get some dramatic shots. The show was held in an ancient madrassa. The center is open to the sky, rather like a patio or atrium. The two-story building surrounds it on all sides with small rooms the size of cells in a monastery. Now the rooms are used for shops selling handicrafts…silk clothing, scarves, handbags, miniature paintings, furniture, pottery. There is no end to the things you can buy.
The fashions were dramatic styles reminiscent of medieval gowns. Tall hats matched or complimented the stunning ikat silk outfits. Torie and I liked the full length coats which must have taken about 30 yards of the hand-woven silk fabric. (The fabric is woven on small looms only about 16 inches wide.) Later we found out the cost: average price $1000.00 USD.
This is my only ‘good’ shot. It was awkward to get a viewpoint as there were many other spectators in front of us. I had to blacken the background here as it was too busy, with the musicians and some of the merchandise from the shops showing. The shot is not sharp. I don’t mind. I blurred it even more to give a glamour effect and to accent the motion of the silks swirling.