The Azorean traditional costume as a sign of regional identity and culture: from clothing to jewellery

Abstract

The paper offers an analysis of the symbolic importance of material culture. Our starting premise is that clothing is a cultural document of a given time and space, as it participates in the formation of individual and collective identities. Bearing this in mind, we’ll study the female traditional costume of the Azores with a view to improving knowledge on the archipelago’s culture and to creating new visual objects that not only embody the cultural legacy of the islands but also capitalise on environmental resources and endogenous elements. In order to accomplish our purpose, we’ll analyse the islands’ historic background from the point of view of culture, economy and politics, and reflect on the role played by culture in preventing the risk of a de-characterised global world, as well as a force that ensures resistance, empowerment and sustainability. Finally, we’ll seek to enhance the future life of the traditional costume by using it as an inspiration for the creation of jewels. It is our aim to demonstrate the power of contemporary jewellery. Contemporary design can both preserve the community’s identity and transform the visual object into a message that travels across frontiers and unites different peoples.