From forts to fabric
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Date
2025
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UMT.Lahore
Abstract
One of the purposes of this theses is to investigate how creativity and innovation in contemporary fashion are fostered through the aesthetic and functional aspects of Mughal architecture. Mughal architecture refers to this grand palaces, forts and gardens known to be filled with symmetry, highly detailed patterns, and rich use of materials. The timeless elements include these in any number of possibilities for the interpretation of textiles, colours or patterns of clothing. All these unerring components provide endless interpretations of textiles, colours and clothing patterns.
The Mughals rule is best portrayed an ages of art. Taj Mahal, Red Fort, all have historical tales regarding it asrom the luxuries & elegance to hereditary structures. The outcome of this research is a study into how these concepts can be implemented into fashion and how history can be made to have the feel of the present with the garments worn today. In fact, by learning how the Mughal design takes form, pattern and texture, tradition can be intermingled with the present and in the process, create garments. All these constituents provide an infinite variety of indications for the analysis of textiles structures, colours and clothing designs.
The Mughal arts, therefore, are awash with beauty. While the intricate design in the Red Fort, the Jerath pattern echoed in almost all monuments of Mughal era and beautiful floral motifs of the Taj Mahal narrate a story of luxury, elegance and heritage. This research will attempt to explore these concepts in an attempt to determine how history can be incorporated in to fashion and how quotidian clothing can be made to come alive. Understanding the shapes, motifs and textures of the Mughal motifs, designers can produce clothes that are conventionally new but contain historical motifs.
Among the primary subjects of focus is the application of colours drawn from Mughal architecture. The kind of palaces and forts using such earthy shades as golden yellow, ivory white, sandstone red may be made of the materials used. Earthy and rich tones of jewelry, including gems, formed the combination of navy blue, mehroon (deep maroon), dull orange, the colour of olive green and the hue of skin golden, embellished imperial Mughal interiors. Platted with these hues, this palette is evocative of the splendor and the elegance of the Mughal period, so much so that metallic restorations of silver and gold are included.
The theses also study the styles and techniques of Mughal architecture. Much as in building a fort, walls are layered for strength so too fabrics can be layered to achieve depth and volume. Stone carving became embroidered and later worked as beading on fabrics. The study also encompasses the ways modern technologies including digital printing are breathing new life into Mughal style in fashion.
This research has been developed therefore, as a part of clothing with flowing and structured shapes. Inspired by the architectural expression of arches, domes and geometric patterns these designs are using where they combine delicate details with bold forms. As with Mughal architecture itself, the end result is a collection that is strong, but still beautiful.
This piece illustrates how fashion can keep cultural heritage alive by recasting historical materials in fresh and interesting new ways. Mughal architecture inspired it and it is able to make designs based on history while it celebrates being in the now.