Fashion Accessories: Tokmeh Couture
Visual Arts 2025 Graduate ExhibitionPresentation by Elaheh Babaei
Exhibition Number 300
Abstract
Tokmeh Couture is a design project that explores the intersection of Iranian architectural ornaments and contemporary fashion through the creation of intricate buttons. Drawing inspiration from the geometric and ornamental patterns found in Iranian architecture and art, this project translates traditional motifs into a modern design context. As a graphic design master’s student, my objective is to preserve and reinterpret these artistic influences through innovative material applications and production techniques. The design process involves an in-depth study of traditional motifs and ornaments, carefully adapting their visual language into small-scale, wearable forms. Using advanced fabrication methods, the project transforms these motifs into buttons that serve both decorative and functional purposes. Beyond the product itself, the project includes the development of a cohesive brand identity inspired by the structural elegance of tessellation. This concept informs the design of the logo, packaging, and promotional materials, reinforcing the precision and refinement found in both the buttons and their historical references. Tokmeh Couture demonstrates how fashion can serve as a medium for cultural preservation and reinterpretation. By bridging the past and present, this project contributes to the ongoing dialogue on the role of heritage in contemporary design, offering a renewed perspective on traditional Iranian artistry.
Importance
Tokmeh Couture shows how design can help keep cultural traditions alive in a fresh and modern way. By turning patterns from Iranian architecture into decorative fashion buttons, this project connects history with today’s world. It highlights how even small, everyday objects can carry meaning and tell a story. This work also encourages a broader conversation about preserving cultural heritage through design. It demonstrates how fashion can be more than just style—it can be a way to honor the past while creating something new. By using modern techniques to shape traditional patterns, Tokmeh Couture blends old and new in a way that makes history feel relevant and accessible. Through this project, Tokmeh Couture offers a unique way to celebrate and share cultural artistry, ensuring that traditional designs continue to inspire and be appreciated in today’s world.
DEI Statement
Tokmeh Couture celebrates cultural heritage by transforming Iranian architectural motifs into wearable designs, bringing greater visibility to non-Western artistic traditions in contemporary fashion. This project fosters appreciation for underrepresented cultural aesthetics, encouraging a more inclusive design landscape. By reinterpreting traditional craftsmanship through modern techniques, Tokmeh Couture bridges past and present, making historical art more accessible and relevant. It promotes cross-cultural dialogue and challenges the dominance of Western design perspectives by showcasing the richness of Iranian artistic heritage. Through this work, Tokmeh Couture advocates for broader representation in fashion and design, ensuring that diverse cultural identities are recognized, valued, and preserved.