Fashion Designer Revives Armenian Carpet Art Through Modern Designs

Vergine Smbatyan, a fashion designer and carpet scholar from Armenia's Kotayk region, has dedicated 26 years to bringing traditional Armenian carpet patterns into contemporary fashion. After teaching herself embroidery and studying Armenian carpets independently, Smbatyan established her own workshop to create custom pieces featuring historical ornaments.

Rather than traditional wall hangings, Smbatyan embroiders carpet motifs onto bags, bracelets, and accessories, making them wearable. Each design requires meticulous work—selecting patterns, calculating dimensions, matching thread colors, and embroidering by hand. She draws inspiration from Armenian symbols, particularly dragon motifs and protective crosses.

Smbatyan advises aspiring artisans to study museum collections, specialized publications, and cultural programs. She is currently digitizing her archive of original patterns for a forthcoming book and plans to release wooden rings featuring embroidered ornaments.