Women’s costume of Vaspurakan

Traditional Armenian women’s costume from the historical province of Vaspurakan, late 18th – early 19th century. According to the source, this clothing was not only an everyday item but also an expression of identity and dignity, and it was handed down from generation to generation.

The costume consists of a layered dress, a wide belt and a richly decorated skirt. The photograph shows a striped long-sleeved upper garment, a wide red belt, a long skirt with geometric patterns and a metal necklace. According to the source, the patterns symbolised life, fertility and protection from evil, and the red colour stood for strength and life.