The Fusion of Turkish Lace and Saddlery Craft

Category: Accessories

This collaborative project fuses the cultural heritage of Turkish Oya (needle lace) with traditional equestrian leather saddlery, drawing on my personal lineage and the archives of the Leather Craft Trust. Oya lace, rooted in the symbolic language of Anatolian women, historically conveyed emotion, status, and identity through intricate floral and colour motifs. These narratives are reimagined alongside references to a 19th-century Argentinian-style Western saddle, celebrated for its craftsmanship and storytelling. Inspired by my mother’s legacy and the enduring presence of Oya lace in our family, this collection of handbag designs explores how lace symbolism and saddlery aesthetics can coexist in contemporary leather accessories. Handcrafted within two weeks, the bag will be presented as part of the Artifacts 2: Leather & Lace 2025 exhibition at the DMU Museum. In the photoshoot, the model wore a leather harness belt over a black dress, which was also created for the Artifacts Live: A Legacy in Leather 2024 project, showcasing the fusion of heritage saddlery and bridle craft with modern design. Using deadstock cowhides sourced from the Scottish Leather Group, renowned for its sustainability initiatives, and GH Leathers, a UK-based supplier, the pieces combine engraving, laser-cutting, couching, and saddle stitching to reflect both the delicacy of lacework and the structure of saddlery. This material choice aligns with circular design principles, giving new life to premium hides. The collection will continue with two additional handbag designs, to be displayed at the Museum, inspiring fellow students and visitors by celebrating young designers’ collaborations as leather artisans.

Download PDF 1