Ehram Fabric Doll Design in the Context of Cultural Sustainability: A Cultural Carrier from Past to Future

Handicrafts are the most significant tangible documents reflecting a region's unique cultural identity. Among these, traditional weavings and garments are vital elements highlighting cultural sustainability. Ehram weaving, a prominent component of Turkish handicrafts, represents Erzurum's cultural identity through natural materials, traditional methods, and its functional role in women's attire. This study aims to ensure the sustainability of ehram weaving-a regional craft currently preserved in chests-while simultaneously reducing textile waste by developing innovative cloth doll designs. Within the study's scope, a literature review on Erzurum women's clothing was conducted, and visual data was collected from local personal archives. Furthermore, semi-structured interviews were carried out with local families and ehram weavers. These designs were guided by Erzurum's traditional street, daily, and special occasion clothing styles. Various prototypes were developed considering sustainability, cultural identity, head-binding techniques, and specific accessories, with outer garments crafted from authentic ehram. Consequently, nineteen cloth doll designs (25-40 cm) were created: four for street wear, six for daily use, and nine for special occasions. Sixteen designs were officially registered by the Turkish Patent and Trademark Office. This study contributes to sustainability literature by integrating local handicrafts with contemporary design, providing alternative cultural products for the modern toy sector.

Journal

TEXTILE-CLOTH AND CULTURE

Year

2026

ISSN

1475-9756

eISSN

1751-8350

DOI

10.1080/14759756.2026.2631136

WoS UID

WOS:001713625500001