A girl who was not afraid to pursue her dream is responsible for the complete makeover of a Soviet-era two-story military draft office in Yeghegnadzor, a town in southern Armenia. True to her goal of founding a design studio, Armine Aghajanyan transformed the cluttered office into a beautiful workspace that reflects the vivacity of her style. As both factory and shop, Armine’s Mosh Studio blends fashion and tradition, as well as ancient ornamental art and personal artistic vision.
Armine draws particular inspiration from Momik, a prominent medieval Armenian miniaturist and architect. Central in her designs are floral patterns that symbolize solar deities found on cross-stones. In this way, Armine not only revives Armenian artistic motifs with innovative touches but also provides sartorially elegant bespoke clothing for women in her native town.
Armine’s social enterprise has also empowered local women by helping them boost their tailoring skills. She has organized them into a small dedicated team, which embodies a spirit of collaboration.
In Armine’s master classes, visitors have the opportunity to make what Armine calls “wish-fulfilling dolls.” Using fabric scraps and patches that Armine has saved, visitors may create one-of-a-kind dolls that express not only their own individual personalities, but also aspects of Armenian cultural identity. Ancient Armenians sought an abundance of food, safety, fertility, and cure for diseases with the magical powers of mythological characters in the form of human-like dolls. Thus, Armine’s master classes will draw participants closer to doll-related folk beliefs and traditions, which have been passed down to generations.
Meet your host
Artist Armine Aghajanyan has stayed true to her childhood dream of founding a design studio by creating Mosh Studio in Yeghegnadzor. In creating the studio, she aims to share her knowledge of cloth designs, doll-making, and other activities—and also support the community by providing a group of women tailors with work. As both sewing atelier and shop, Armine’s Mosh Studio blends fashion and tradition, as well as ancient ornamental art and her personal artistic vision.
