Cem Akdeniz
Carolyn Colsant
February 28, 2018
Integrative Seminar
Bridge Project 1
Foulard The Fourth
Descriptive Account: A foulard is generally made from a lightweight fabric such as silk or silk and cotton mix. Foulards have small print designs or color blocks on them to give an edge to its look. They are very versatile as they can be styles in various ways. One can wear a foulard as a turban/head piece, a belt, a bracelet or just as piece to tie around his or her neck. I chose a 30 by 30 cm silk square foulard which designed by The House of Lanvin. It has a very intricate design of leaves and a baroque like rope print on it. It consists of three colors that are faded gold, crimson red and royal blue.
Historical account: I am the fourth person in family to own this foulard. This foulard, as a family made tradition, is given to the first daughter of the family. It was gifted to my great grandmother by her husband. Allegedly, my great grandmother Vedia, always carried this around her and bought the same foulard in a different color because she always believed she would have two kids and she did. The gave each of them a foulard and so the journey of the foulards began. The one given to me is more than 50 years old. It contains and carries so many memories as it traveled halfway around the world from France to Lebanon to Turkey and finally to America.
Reflective Account: Even though this foulard might seem just a waste of money or an unnecessary accessory, to me it represents something that money can’t buy. This foulard is the physical representation of family, love and a newly created tradition that will live in our family to meet new people and discover new places. I am a person who shops frequently and enjoys to experiment with new topics, styles, food etc.but somehow I never get bored of wearing the same foulard and because of this I began to question how something so mundane can carry a vast amount of meaning with it. When I wear this foulard I feel safe, happy and I get the feeling as if I am representing my family. This item was bought by someone I have never known and I will never have the chance to meet him and by this I cherish the foulard even more. Life never gives someone an easy way out or a guide to ones daily ventures but with the help of others one can surpass any obstacle. Other people may or may not be with us throughout the journey but whether we like it or not we always carry them along by their presence in our minds, our hearts or in an object that conveys their essence in it.
