Showcase

Psychedelic Anatolia

Zeynep Agirbas

Profile picture of Zeynep Agirbas

I am a multidisciplinary textile designer interested in the intersection of textiles and fashion. My practice focuses on creating knitted textiles that reflect my culture in an inventive and sustainable way.

Growing up in Turkey has allowed me to develop an extreme respect for handicraft from a very young age - trying to learn various hand-making skills from marbling art to traditional Turkish carpet weaving. In my work, this knowledge of technical handicraft is combined with my endless curiosity for material and experimentation. My primary intention with Psychedelic Anatolia, and consequently with all the pieces I create, is to curate a beautifully intricate knitted collection of long lasting garments inherently driven by rich narratives. 

I am a multidisciplinary textile designer interested in the intersection of textiles and fashion....

Psychedelic Anatolia is a manifestation of the Turkish culture and craft, a story that I am telling through my knits. My collection revolves around a character I’ve created to reconnect with my cultural heritage. She is an Anatolian nomadic woman - hard-working, self-sufficient, resourceful, driven, creative. However, there’s a twist - she is also a Turkish Psychedelic Rock Star.

To translate the handcraft of Anatolia I have used hand-making techniques as well as collaborated with Turkish artisans to truly reflect the feel of Anatolian craft. My research is primarily pattern based: Anatolian kilim motifs and floral patterns joined with illusive psychedelic prints.

Each garment is designed to be layered - sustaining both the utilitarian needs of the nomad as well as the provocative, rebellious nature of a rockstar. For instance, woollen felted knits protect the nomad from the extremities of weather in the mountains during the day and are layered with overly accessorised tops below for the stage at night.

Final work

The model is sitting on a table wearing a knitted top, a crochet bra with a bag attached and a blue knitted skirt with a checkered motif.

Coin Top with Coin Bra Bag and Sudoku Skirt

Coin Top and Coin Bra Bag were inspired by the heavy and exaggerated jewellery of the Turkish Psychedelic Rock Stars. The main body of the Coin Top is knitted with monofilament and then linked with heavy woollen trims to create a juxtaposition between textures. The top is worn with the crochet bra that has a bag attached. Creating layers within garments and adding function to clothing is inspired by the lifestyle of Anatolian nomads.

Two models sitting on chairs, both wearing patchwork vests - one black and white and the other brown and pink/blue.

Domino Vest worn with Zebra Shorts and Candy Vest worn with Sudoku Skirt

The beadwork in both vests was done in collaboration with Turkish beadwork artisans. The beaded squares were combined with knitted and crochet squares to create a patchwork motif. Both pieces were inspired by illusive patterns as well as floral motifs in Turkish kilims and lace works made by the Anatolian nomads.

Two models sitting on chairs, one put her head on the other model's lap. They're wearing knitted sweaters styled with trousers and a skirt.

Psycho Ebru Tops worn with Boxer Trousers and Boxer Skirt

I have been really interested in marbling art as I feel like it’s the perfect combination of Turkish craft with psychedelic patterns. Psycho Ebru Tops were inspired by a marbled fabric I've made that reminded me of an illusive pattern.

These are worn with Boxer Trousers and Boxer Skirt that I've created by weaving disregarded boxer elastic bands found at a Turkish bazaar. I found luxury brands logos on the floor at the bazaar which were thrown from the factories due to some mistakes on the prints and elastics. This inspired a humorous way to approach branding where I upcycled them into trousers and a skirt which complimented my collection.

The model wearing a dress made from crochet flowers, lying on the pool table.

Flower Apron Dress

This crochet dress is inspired by my marbled fabrics and some of traditional Anatolian floral kilim (traditional flat woven carpet) motifs. It is made out of 148 complete flowers and 34 half flowers. The sleeves are detachable and the front and back panel is connected together with the ribbons on the side. The dress can be taken apart and layered on top of clothing just like an apron. The construction of the dress questions the transformative and functional concepts of nomadic life.

Research and process

  • A sketchbook page with a research photograph of Anatolian nomads wearing different layers of clothing. Next to it, layers of knitted swatches.
  • Research images of Turkish rock stars and Turkish brides wearing gold. There is a red knitted swatch has golden coins inside.
  • Research images of Turkish kilims and lacework. There is a crochet swatch of a colourful flower that gets combined to form a dress.
  • Sketchbook page of the knitted boots. The boots are brown and blue and the upper part is made from knit that looks like a sock worn inside.
  • Image of a necklace with a beadwork that says 'ROCK'.

Share this student work

Psychedelic Anatolia

Psychedelic Anatolia is a manifestation of the Turkish culture and craft, a story that I am telling through my knits. My collection revolves around a character I’ve created to reconnect with my cultural heritage. She is an Anatolian nomadic woman - hard-working, self-sufficien...

A link to this page has been added to your clipboard

Browse related work