Gaziantep's traditional fabric meets Europe, Arab countries

The art of weaving "kutnu," a woven textile with a shiny surface made from silk woven with cotton, made its global debut in Doha, Qatar last week, with a special collection that will soon also be introduced to Paris, Berlin, London, Ashkhabad and Tokyo.

Initiated with the support of Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu's wife, Sare Davutoğlu, the project "Reflect Your Light with Kutnu" promotes the traditional fabric, which is said to be transferred from Anatolian Seljuks to the Ottomans, and has been kept alive in Gaziantep by craftsmen. Turkish designer Rabia Yalçın has designed an exclusive collection made from kutnu as part of the "Turkey: Discover the Potential" project. Yalçın's collection includes 45 designs. "Kutnu is a special fabric and I wanted to introduce it as the fabric of all time," Yalçın said, according to the Sabah daily.

In Turkey, the art of weaving kutnu is practiced only in Gaziantep. Kutnu is an important part of the traditional local costume and is a true hand-crafted product requiring different work at each stage of production. Many Ottoman-era kaftans worn by sultans were made from kutnu fabric. In the past, many people all over Anatolia aspired to own a kaftan made from kutnu. It used to be made on wooden looms with a shuttle-and-pulling-whip, but is today woven on more advanced dobby and jacquard looms. Although the type of loom may have changed, the weaving method has remained the same throughout the centuries.