As people might know, Armenian national garments and rugs are often adorned with a rich, deep red color. But what most might not realize is that this is all thanks to a little insect called the “Armenian cochineal“ also known as “Kermes” which is indigenous to the Ararat plain and Aras River valley in the Armenian Highlands. The lowly scale bug,...
Fancy Armenian Lady Dress described by Ardern Holt 1896

Ardern Holt describes in the book “Fancy Dresses Described; or, What to Wear at Fancy Balls” many different types of fancy dresses and suggestions for what to wear at fancy balls. In the book there is also an Armenian lady dress described as follows: Armenian [woman] wears a soft silk Princess robe opening down the...
Armenian Female Costumes
The dress of the Armenians reflects a rich cultural tradition. Wool and fur were utilized by the Armenians and later cotton that was grown in the fertile valleys. Silk imported from China was used by royalty, during the Ararat (Urartu) period. Later the Armenians cultivated silkworms and produced their own silk. The collection of...