Blue Like a Dream - Vintage Russian Scarf

There's not much to say about this cobalt blue Russian scarf. It is just beautiful with the lace-like pattern and clusters of roses and bluebells. Even though it is not large - about 34 inches - it is very visible. I think it can look amazing with denim of a proper shade. It is available in our Etsy shop here.

A Stunning Russian Shawl with Roses and Hydrangea

Some Russian shawls just have to be shown to the world. This one, for instance - full of fiery roses and lace - like hydrangea - is one of the most beautiful shawls I have ever seen. These richly coloured flowers really stand out against jet black background. I do not think the shawl has a name - could not find anything in the archive - but it does not really matter, for "A rose by any other name would smell as sweet", and this beauty is sold, anyway. I just wanted to keep the photos here.

We have many more beautiful Russian shawls in our shop here.

Russian Scarf Seen Anew: A Puffer Scarf in Russian Patterns

I have been thinking much about scarves recently. We love making scarves from Uzbek silk or Russian shawls, but we were mostly making infinity or circle type. We love infinity - we adore infinity - but certainly there should be other options?

I was thinking of a practical scarf, easy to wear, not prone to wrinkling, sturdy and long lasting and warm. I hate scarves that can be ruined easily; graze them with your nail and there is a snug, touch them with your ring and there is a hole. Oh, no. I am for spending money in a reasonable way, at least this is what I try to do with mine. I also needed to take the latest fashion trends into consideration. Iceberg, Balenciaga and Chanel displayed puffer scarves in their Fall/Winter 2016-2017 collections.

(source: Pinterest) 

All these arguments combined, I came to a perfect decision (we'll see!) - a puffer scarf! These have been seen on runways lately, and they are just the perfect combination of practicality and beauty.

So... we came up with these!

Frankly, I think it is insanely beautiful.

This is a fantastic patchwork scarf made from various vintage shawls. My mother did her best to arrange a striking array of colors and patterns. I cannot even decide which side I prefer.



These flowers are so lovely.

The opening for the tail of the scarf is large and sturdy.

And this is the general view. I can tell my mother enjoyed making this scarf!

I think it is a unisex scarf; I can easily see it worn by a man or woman.

The scarf can be bought in our Etsy shop. I will list more scarves very soon. In the meantime, the sneak preview!

Uzbek Suzani Pillows in the Colours of Fruits and Flowers

If I could wear these suzani pillows on a necklace, I totally would. They might be the most beautiful pillows we have had to date. They are made from a very vintage suzani and I just love them. They truly convey the spirit of traditional Uzbek embroidery. The raised design and rich colours make them especially attractive. Their colour scheme makes me think of Uzbek fruits which are incredibly sweet and fragrant. 

It looks a bit like a hooked rug to me. Actually the technique is quite similar.

We thought that denim was a good addition to the suzani. It is so modest, a perfect frame for the ornate embroidery. These embroidered cushion covers will look amazing in a vintage or bohemian room adding a spicy accent. They look fantastic next to my Tabriz rug, too. And of course they are stunning when placed next to a Russian shawl!

As I now have a traditional Uzbek house in the countryside, I think I am keeping one pair of these. Another pair is on sale in our Etsy shop here.

Inside a Treasure Cave: Visiting a Handicraft Shop in Samarkand

Besides its gorgeous architecture, Samarkand is famous for arts and crafts. Whenever I come there for a business trip, I also go shopping with my colleagues. During our last visit in April, we have visited a very special shop. It is located in the most central place - in Ulugbek Madrasa at Registan Square.

The shop is quite large, mysteriously dark and full of amazing things. You discover new rooms and corners, as you walk around. It is stuffed with suzani, rugs and silks. This place is like a treasure cave.



Most suzani are very traditional, but you can recognise some familiar designs - those famous cats by Rosina Wachtmeister! Obviously, Samarkand artists do their best to cater for all tastes. Of course, I prefer the classic suzani with their elegant branches and lavish flowers and paisley, but I also appreciate the creativity and desire to be flexible.

Right in the shop, there is a woman embroidering a suzani. The process is fascinating to watch. She is another tourist attraction, of course, but the suzani she is making is very real and beautiful.



In another part of the shop you can see more suzani - this one is on silk - and a very unusual headpiece.

This looks like a Karakalpak or Turkmen headpiece for a women's festive costume. This might be a refurbished piece; I would think that the elements are antique or vintage, but the whole piece is not that old, or, let us say, it is refurbished. Still, it looks impressive. The stones seem to be smalt (or paste).

And these are two traditional gowns, lavish and beautiful. One is beautiful ikat silk, the second one has suzani style embroidery.

There are several shelves with traditional Uzbek pottery, too. I like these small organic looking jugs. 

These pieces are made in Rishtan, Ferghana valley, or maybe they are made in Samarkand to resemble Rishtan style. In any case, I appreciate their elaborate beauty and the combination of colours which are so close in style to the ancient Uzbek architecture.



Uzbek and Turkoman jewelry is a big separate topic. Silver, turquoise and corals is a favourite combination here, in Central Asia. «Les bijoux doivent être sauvages!» - said Amedeo Modigliani, and these ones are indeed quite savage-like.

A bunch of handwoven bags. I love those in earthy colours.

...and countless scarves. Silk scarves, some are made from khan atlas (heavy silk satin) or shoyi (fine silk)...




...these are made from sheer silk gauze or chiffon, and the shop owner claimed them to be hand block printed. They are weightless...



...these are wool shawls, hand embroidered in crewel stitch. I would not call them typical for our country; I think they were inspired by Indian Cashmere shawls. I must say that they are stunning in real life, and the quality of wool and work is excellent. I was very seduced by one on the right, but restrained myself, as I already have too many shawls and scarves that I do not wear.

This amazing shop even had some very nice cashmere shawls, made in Nepal. I must say that I am a cashmere addict and I own a substantial collection. I can say that these were really nice to the touch, and I loved the soft neutral colours. 

...As a way to thank the lovely shop owners for patiently letting me take a gazillion of pictures, I want to share their contacts. The owner and his wife are very friendly, open and willing to negotiate, and speak several languages, as fits a good Uzbek merchant who meets people from all countries of the world. If you ever visit Samarkand, do not miss their shop!

The shop is owned by Mr Alisher Yakubov; 
tel. +99890 2709933
email: yakubovalishir3@gmail.com

My Saturday Loot: Vintage Russian Shawls

Today's loot is plentiful: five large wool Russian shawls, one small Russian scarf, and two silk blend Russian shawls. I am overwhelmed by this bounty and will have to spend several hours to take photos and list the shawls in our Etsy shop. In the meantime, I will just share some general view photos of the wool shawls Enjoy!

  

Thinking of Easter: A Moodboard

Multicolor Birds Mobile - Crochet Pillow Cover - White Silk Blouse - Ruffle Peg Bag 

Even if these pieces were not designed specifically with Easter in mind, they still remind me of this celebration of Love and Peace. That mobile by Cherry Garden Dolls is the cutest thing you can imagine - I would definitely want it for my own baby! The crochet pillow by katrinshine is a very nostalgic thing for me as it reminds me of my great grandmother who was a master of crocheting. The clothespin bag by Duni Studio is full of shabby chic; those roses are irresistible! And, of course, our floral blouse from vintage silk... just a nice blouse, lovely to the touch, that can be dressed up or down. 

Silk Caftan Tunic, a Simple Beauty of Uzbek Ikat

My mother has developed another simple and nice design. It is nothing special, really, and nothing new - a very classic caftan tunic made from lush Uzbek ikat silk. What is important is how it sits and how he fabric moves with the wearer. And it is very minimal, so that not to cut the lovely silk too much.

I love to see her work; it is amusing to watch her thinking, sketching, talking to herself, patting the fabric as if it were a cat... The tunic is nice, voluminous and free flowing - a perfect design to show off the wild beauty of Uzbek silk.  

I love to look at these strange and barbaric ikat prints; many of these elements are inheritance of the dark pagan times when they had certain meaning. Some were for protection, others - for good fortune, fertility or longevity.

I certainly hope that this ikat silk dress will bring good fortune and longevity and all the best to the new owner. It can be found in our Etsy shop.

A Very Rare Vintage Russian Shawl by Zlata Olshevskaya

Recently, I developed a great interest in the Russian shawls. When I was younger, I never cared for them, thinking that they were too bright, too busy and way too folk. I wanted something more "modern". Now, as I am growing older, I feel that they are very modern - in fact, timeless. Not all of them, possibly, but a great many. 

I want to share my recent find - an extremely rare shawl designed by the famous Zlata Olshevskaya of the Pavlovo Posad Manufacture. This shawl is called Necklace a.k.a. 8th of March (the International Women's Day was a very important holiday in USSR) and dates to 1976. It was long discontinued, and many modern collectors are eager to find it.

I found it at a flea market, in near perfect condition, and recognized it immediately. Do you remember that adrenaline surge, when you realized you have found something really good? Of course I grabbed it and rushed home to look at it without a haste. 

It is a large shawl made of fine wool, with intricate print of roses, cornflowers, pansies and leaves. The composition is quite complex - there are lavish garlands, crowns and bunches of flowers. However, all this abundance is in perfect balance.

It is easy to see why this artist is so famous and loved by the collectors. I am grasping for words to describe the loveliness of all these flowers, large and small ones. Zlata Olshevskaya had a very beautiful vision of the world. In one of her interviews she said that she used to spend a lot of time in the fields and woods, making sketches of plants.

The colors of the shawl are too bright to my taste, frankly speaking. I think this might be a reflection of the bright and bold fashion of the 1970s, when these colors were widely used; hence the combination of a rather traditional graphics and this candy bright colors. And I can just see this shawl with a very feminine new look dress - I know that style is from an earlier period, but I feel they would go together very well.

All in all, being able to hold this rarity, drape it, try it on and just look at is a great pleasure. This is truly a part of fashion history. I am not keeping it, as we do not really make each other look better, so it will go to Moscow, to someone who will love and wear it. That girl has a birthday on 8th of March, so the shawl will have another special meaning to her.

Now I want you to just behold and enjoy. I hope you will appreciate this beauty as much as I do!

We have many vintage Russian shawls in our Etsy shop - please come and take a look!