Thursday, 22 February 2007 By M. Bayarmaa MONGOLIAN professional fashion designers, showing off the wonder of traditional Mongolian clothes, have been organizing displays every year before Tsagaan Sar on February 14, in the Mongol Costumes Center. This year’s Mongolian clothes show was organized by the UB Mayor’s Office and Mongol Costumes Center. The traditional dress of Mongolians has a rich history of many centuries. The costumes are arranged in different situations: somebody is riding on horseback over the steppe; sitting at home in their ger (at home); or dancing at a national festival. The conditions of the climate influence the kind of dresses, with different costumes for the seasons of the year. In summer, the Mongols wear a light coat or frock, the “Terleg”, in fall and winter a wadded coat, the “Khovontei deel”(made by cotton and material, cloth), or a lambskin coat (made by lamb’s wool), and in winter specifically, a sheepskin dress reminiscent of a fur coat, the “tsagaan nekhii deel”. The age of the wearer is reflected by the dress. The costumes of elderly people are, as a rule, modest and plain. The female dress shows the different attire of the girls and married women. The costumes of the latter are decorated and adorned splendidly with ornaments speaking of an older design of the garment, which with the combination of the colors speak of an ancient tradition. The materials from which the dresses were sewn were produced naturally, such as leather, wool, and fur. Dresses have been made of silk, cotton, wool, and brocades, and were richly decorated with jewelry and ornaments of gold, silver, corals, pearls and precious stones. In recent times, Mongolian traditional costumes have changed, becoming urbanized. During the show, many national clothes collections were displayed by designers such as The Great Mongolian Prides, Ethnic Groups of Mongolia, Donj (Image), Urban Girls and Coins. The show, named “The Great Mongolian Prides,” aimed to make known for future generations the great history and culture of the traditional Mongolian costumes and the great history and culture. The show also has other purposes, such as promoting traditional clothes in the national consciousness, developing patriotism in young people or preserving the cultural values of national history for the youth. The majority of the clothes of the show were made by designers and tailors of the “Chinba” salon. Traditional designs with a modern, contemporary twist attracted audiences’ interest. During the show, both young and old people asked and were interested in how to order these clothes. The Ethnic Groups of Mongolia collection is most unique with various ethnic groups clothes displayed, e.g. Khalkh, Kazakh, Dorvod, Torguud, Bayad, and Khoton. There are approximately 20 ethnic groups in Mongolia. Most groups have their own traditional clothing and ornamentation reflecting the natural environment, history and customs of the groups, as well as the age, gender and social status of the person wearing them.

Бичсэн: designer