Assingment

ASSIGNMENT
Assignment # 01
Dress Pattern Design (Th)
Semester: 6th
Department: Fashion design

Title of Assignment
(Kaftan Dress)

Student name: Faizan Ahmed

Registration No: 18fd28

Submitted to: Ma’am Ifra

Submission date: 15-12-2020

Punjab Tianjin University of Technology

Lahore
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Table of Contents
Content page#
Kaftan dress:....................................................................................................................................4
History of kaftan:.............................................................................................................................4
Ottoman kaftan:...........................................................................................................................5
Algerian kaftan:...........................................................................................................................5
Moroccan Kaftan:........................................................................................................................6
West African Kaftan:...................................................................................................................7
Occasion for Kaftan Dress:..............................................................................................................8
On beach:.....................................................................................................................................8
For formal or casual occasion:.....................................................................................................8
Kaftan dress pattern:........................................................................................................................9
References......................................................................................................................................10

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Table of Contents
Content page#
Figure 1............................................................................................................................................4
Figure 2............................................................................................................................................4
Figure 3............................................................................................................................................5
Figure 4............................................................................................................................................6
Figure 5............................................................................................................................................7
Figure 6............................................................................................................................................7
Figure 7............................................................................................................................................8
Figure 8............................................................................................................................................8

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Kaftan dress:

A kaftan or caftan (/ˈkæftæn/; Persian: ‫ خفتان‬khaftān) is a variant of the robe or tunic, and has been worn
in a number of cultures around the world for thousands of years and is of Asiatic origin. In Russian
usage, kaftan instead refers to a style of men's long suit with tight sleeves. Used by many Middle
Eastern ethnic groups, the kaftan is ancient Mesopotamian (modern day Iraq) in origin. It may be made
of wool, cashmere, silk, or cotton, and may be worn with a sash.
Popular during the time of the Ottoman Empire, detailed and elaborately designed garments were given
to ambassadors and other important guests at the Topkapi Palace. Variations of the kaftan were
inherited by cultures throughout the Middle East and Asia and were worn by individuals in Russia,
South East Asia and Northern Africa. Styles, uses, and names for the kaftan vary from culture to
culture.[ CITATION wik \l 1033 ]

Figure 1

History of kaftan:

According to Encyclopedia of Islam, this fashion came up quite early among Arabs under the influence
of Persian fashions. In Arabic, the word khaftān is used just like in Persian. It is described as a long
robe as far as the calves sometimes or just under the knee. It is open at the front and the sleeves are
slight cut at the wrists or even as far as to the middle of the arms.
During the Islamic golden age of the Abbasid era, the cosmopolitan super-culture spread far and wide
to Chinese emperors, Anglo-Saxon coinage, but also in Constantinople too (current day Istanbul). They
were mimicking and imitating Baghdadi culture (capital of the Abbasids).

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Figure 2

Even Theophilus who fought the Arabs in the 830's on the battlefield built a Baghdad-style palace near
the Bosporus. They went about a l'arabe in kaftans and turbans. Even as far as in the normal streets of
Ghuangzhou during the era of Tang, the Arab-style kaftan was in fashion.
It became a luxurious fashion, a richly styled robe with buttons down the front. The caliphs wore
elegant kaftans made from silver or gold brocade and buttons in the front of the sleeves. The caliph al-
Muqtaddir (903-932) wore a kaftan from silver brocade Tustari silk and his son one made from
Byzantine silk richly decorated or ornamented with figures. The kaftan was spread far and wide by the
Abbasids and made known throughout the Arab world.[ CITATION wik \l 1033 ]

Types of kaftan:
Ottoman kaftan:
Kaftans were worn by the sultans of the Ottoman Empire. Decoration on the garment, including
colours, patterns, ribbons, and buttons, indicated the rank of the person who wore it. From the 14th
century through the 17th century, textiles with large patterns were used. By the late 16th and early 17th
centuries, decorative patterns on the fabrics had become smaller and brighter. By the second half of the
17th century, the most precious kaftans were those with 'yollu': vertical stripes with varying embroidery
and small patterns – the so-called "Selimiye" fabrics.

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Figure 3

Algerian kaftan:
The Female Kaftan is inscribed in the intangible cultural heritage of humanity, as Tlemcen's costume. It
is the main piece of the Chedda of Tlemcen.
The kaftan has been historically documented to be worn in Algeria since the beginning of the 16th
century. Following the Ottoman tradition, the male Kaftan, known as the Kaftan of honour, was
bestowed by the Ottoman Sultan upon the governors of Algiers who, in turn, bestowed caftans upon the
Beys and members of distinguished families. In his Topography and General History of Algiers,
Antonio de Sosa described it as a coloured robe made of satin, of damask, of velvet and silk and having
a form that reminded him of the priests' cassocks.
The female Kaftan, on the other hand, evolved locally and derives from the ghlila, a mid-calf jacket
that combined Morisco and Ottoman influences, but which evolved following a very specific Algerian
style from the sixteenth century onward. Between the sixteenth and seventeenth century, middle class
women started wearing the ghlila. The use of brocades and quality velvet, the profusion of embroidery
and gold threading were not enough to satisfy the need for distinction of the wealthiest Algerians who
choose to lengthen the ghlila all the way to the ankles to make a Kaftan that became the centrepiece of
the ceremonial costume, while the ghlila was confined to the role of daily clothing.

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Figure 4

Moroccan Kaftan:
According to the Encyclopaedia of Islam, the Kaftan was introduced into the Barbary States by the
Ottomans and spread by fashion as far as Morocco.
According to Naima El Khatib Boujibar, the Caftan might have been introduced to Morocco by the
Saadi king Abd al-Malik who had lived in Algiers and Istanbul. Worn by the dignitaries and women of
the palace at first, it became fashionable among the middle classes from the late 17th century.
According to Rachida Alaoui, the caftan dates back to the end of the 15th century in Morocco thanks to
the Moorish history and therefore represents a medieval Andalusian heritage. The first mentions of this
garment worn by Moroccans date back to the 16th century.
Today in Morocco, kaftans are mostly worn by women and the word kaftan in Morocco is commonly
used to mean "one-piece dress". Alternative two-piece versions of Moroccan kaftans are called
Takchita and worn with a large belt. The Takchita is also known as Mansouria which derives from the
name of Sultan Ahmad al-Mansur who invented Al-Mansouria and the new fashion of wearing a two-
piece Kaftan.

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Figure 5

West African Kaftan:

In West Africa, a kaftan is a pullover robe, worn by both men and women. The women's robe is called
a kaftan, and the men's garment is referred to as a Senegalese kaftan. A Senegalese kaftan is a pullover
men's robe with long bell-like sleeves. In the Wolof language, this robe is called am bubb and in
French, it is called a boubou.
The Senegalese kaftan is an ankle-length garment, and is worn with matching drawstring pants called
tubay. Usually made of cotton brocade, lace, or synthetic fabrics, these robes are common throughout
West Africa. A kaftan and matching pants are called a kaftan suit. The kaftan suit is worn with a kufi
cap. Senegalese kaftans are formal wear in all West African countries.[ CITATION wik \l 1033 ]

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Figure 6

Occasion for Kaftan Dress:

On beach:
It is one of the most popular (if not THE most popular) ways of wearing a kaftan these days. Use it as a
cover-up on the beach and instantly take your beachwear to an upper level. Made from a light, breezy
fabric, a kaftan is a superb option if you want to accessorize your swimsuit or bikini.

Figure 7

For formal or casual occasion:

To jazz your kaftan up and make it more appropriate for formal occasions, opt for a more fitted design
and choose a piece made of silk or another luxurious fabric. For added allure, consider a kaftan made
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from layers of sheer fabric. Pair it with jewelry (i.e. a silver or gold belt) to dress it up for even more
formal instances. Jeweled sandals with heels will help make a chic statement and add to the luxury feel
of your outfit.[ CITATION lov \l 1033 ]

Figure 8

Kaftan dress pattern:

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References

[1] "wikipedia," [Online]. Available: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaftan.

[2] "loveyourdress," [Online]. Available: https://www.loveyourdress.ca/dress-blog/how-to-wear-a-
kaftan-style-tips-more/love.

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