Last year, wearing my Suzani chapan in Samarqand 🌸 The very root of Suzani designs is believed to be in the Fergana Valley and spread across Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, & Kyrgyzstan. The term “Suzani” derives from the Persian word for needle and needlework “suzanikari”.  Suzani used to tell the story of a mother’s love for her daughter and the art of embroidery that endured the ages. The mother and women of the family taught the little girl from an early age to embroider beautiful handcrafted dowry pieces for her wedding day that would bring wellbeing and happiness into her future married life. She would have been taught the art and secrets of the embroidery of her family and region and then her own dowry pieces would one day be presented to her groom and his family on her wedding day.  Her Suzanis would tell her new family much about her personality and embroidery skills. Her dreams for her life ahead was lovingly captured in these magical cloths as she grew up. It was believed t...