Abstract Book of the 2nd International Academic Conference on Social Sciences and Humanities
Year: 2025
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The Aesthetıcs Of Decoratıon In Footwear: A Desıgn Analysıs Of Fantasy Shoes And Slıppers Found In Konya Museums
Asude MIHLADIZ KANDAL, Selda GÜZEL
ABSTRACT:
Footwear are objects that go beyond merely being clothing items; they carry social, cultural, and aesthetic meanings. Especially fantasy shoes and slippers enriched with decorative techniques emerge as valuable cultural indicators reflecting the craftsmanship mentality, fashion perception, and markers of social status of their time. This study examines traditional fantasy shoes and slippers with striking decorations found in the collections of the Konya Ethnography Museum and the Nasreddin Hodja Archaeology and Ethnography Museum, both located in Konya. Within the scope of the research, women’s and men’s shoes and slippers dated between the 18th and 20th centuries were evaluated in terms of their intended use, production techniques, material diversity, decorative elements, and design principles. The examined examples were analyzed based on dimensions, shapes, materials used, sewing techniques, and decorative approaches. The shoes and slippers, crafted with techniques such as metallic embroidery, wire wrapping, appliqué, and beadwork applied to materials like fabric, leather, and velvet, were often used in women’s trousseaus or together with ceremonial garments. The vegetal, geometric, and stylized motifs seen on the footwear reflect both the artisan’s artistic vision and the aesthetic perception of the period. Today, the production of such footwear has nearly ceased entirely, making them important objects for the documentation and preservation of cultural heritage. The findings aim to shed light on the history of Turkish decorative arts, women’s fashion, and craftsmanship. Therefore, documenting these design products and preserving their place in cultural memory for transmission to future generations holds significant importance.
Keywords: Craftsmanship; Fantasy-Shoes; Footwear; Konya-Museum-Collections; Slippers; Turkish-Clothing