Virtual tour of Circassian costume exhibition created by Madina Hatsukova

Abstract

This article explores the works of the famous Kabardian fashion designer Madina Alisagovna Hatsukova, whose costumes are worn by the guards of the King of Jordan, artists of Kabardino-Balkaria and Karachay-Cherkessia, prominent statesmen of the Chechen Republic, popular singers and musicians, and numerous ladies for their wedding ceremonies. The article represents a panoramic overview of the works of Madina Hatsukova, taking into account all aspects of interest of the designer. Description is given to various types of activity of the fashion designer – from hand embroidery and lace weaving to creating sewing patterns and scientific research on decoding of the ornaments in the museum samples of ancient costumes. This publication is inspired by the Madina Hatsukova’s personal exhibition “Princess of the Sun”, held in the North Caucasus branch of the State Museum of Oriental Art in Maykop in September-October 2021. The novelty of this article consists in comprehensive analysis of the works of Madina Hatsukova, which are widely known in North Caucasus and not so much to the Russians audience interested in modern ethnic costume. Although Madina’s works are intentionally limited to the traditional patterns and configuration, she experiments with different types of fabrics, their combinations and color solutions. National costume for a symbol of cultural revival, rather than a symbol of the past; it is the symbol of ethnic identification. Madina Hatsukova contributes to high symbolic load of the traditional costume, forms empathy of not only Circassians, but the entire multicultural population of the Russian Federation.