Introduction to dress and fashion in East Europe, Russia, and the Caucasus

The regions of East Europe, Russia, and the Caucasus are known for their richly embroidered ethnic clothing. The varied styles of ethnic dress and the associated social practices throughout these regions were strongly influenced by both ancient traditions and highly diverse climatic and geographic conditions, ranging from subtropical to Arctic and from high mountains and rolling plains to northern oceans and southern seas. But the rich history of dress in this vast area is not confined to ethnic dress. The past and present of dress in these regions have been complicated by the wide variety of political circumstances, cultures, and religions in which dress was, and is, embedded. Restricted to a small area and a tight-knit community, ethnic dress differed from national dress in that the latter resided symbolically in vast imagined spaces and served to engage the masses in the period of national awakening from the middle of the nineteenth century on.

The Berg Encyclopedia of World Dress and Fashion explores, in 760 articles and 3.6 million words, the dressed and adorned body across cultures and throughout history. Lavishly illustrated with over 2,000 images, it is essential for all students, scholars and practitioners of fashion and textiles, across disciplines. Available in print - as a 10 volume set - and online within the Berg Fashion Library. The Encyclopedia provides: In-depth original articles - from over 600 international experts - on countries, themes, cultural groups, and dress types; Special articles on sources and evidence for each major geographical area; 'Snapshot' articles featuring illuminating examples and case studies; Invaluable bibliographies and suggestions for further reading for each article; Cross-references and an analytical cumulative index.