Patterns and Symbolisms: from Greek Local Dress to Theatrical Costume

Greek local costumes have frequently inspired theatrical costume design for live performance. This relates not only to productions of Greek modern theatre plays, which often connect to folk culture, but also to theatrical works from other genres, such as ancient drama, contemporary global dramaturgy and musical theatre. The use of elements of local dress – such as patterns, symbolic decorations as well as entire garments – often goes beyond the ‘folkloristic’ element and relates to aesthetic and notional codes of the performance. This paper focuses on contemporary costume design for the theatre and particularly on costume elements that draw from the dialogue with folk culture, turning it into a means for artistic expression.Peer reviewe