Artisans in Turkey repurpose textiles into wearable art

In Ankara, tailor Ziya Pınarbaşı has gained social media attention for transforming discarded textiles into unique fashion pieces. For 20 years, Pınarbaşı has collected items such as wall carpets, kilims, and old curtains to design jackets, coats, and dresses. His process involves analyzing the texture and patterns of each piece to create custom patterns, often taking several days per garment.

Pınarbaşı’s work focuses on recycling and preserving craftsmanship. His designs have seen high demand from the public, with customers seeking to repurpose sentimental family heirlooms, such as 70-year-old dowry textiles, into modern clothing. He aims to pass these tailoring skills on to future generations while promoting sustainable fashion.