While we are still gathering impressions, photos, and recordings from our performances and events during our stay in Croatia, we want to take a moment to reflect on one particularly important activity—something that may have taken place quietly in the background but holds deep significance for Klapa Kartolina.
We are speaking about the creation and premiere of our new women’s folk outfits, which, together with new men’s sashes, were presented for the first time during this summer tour. For klapas based outside of Croatia, like Klapa Kartolina, traditional outfits carry an added layer of meaning—it is a visible expression of our deep connection to our roots, a kind of “visual expression” of love for our homeland and our commitment to preserving Croatian identity through music and culture.
The process of creating these outfits was more than just tailoring and sewing. At the heart of it all stands Mrs. Slavka Klišanić, one of the leading experts in traditional clothing and a guardian of Croatian heritage. Her knowledge, attention to detail, and genuine understanding of our klapa identity and aspirations were essential in shaping the look that we will proudly wear for many years to come. We are truly grateful that, during our time in the homeland, we had the chance to meet and collaborate with her—an experience that remains close to our hearts.
Inspired by the working women’s folk dress of Split and subtly enriched with elements from the traditional wear of Poljica, the new outfits reflect a modest elegance, as well as feminine strength, dignity, and a deep connection to the Dalmatian spirit—qualities we aim to convey through our singing. Details in the hue of ‘plavac mali’ grapes further link our music to the landscape, history, and emotion from which klapa singing was born.
The new attire is a new chapter—but written in the same script. Of course, this doesn’t mean we are retiring our formal Split folk outfits that have accompanied us since our beginnings—they still hold a special place in our story and will continue to be worn on occasions that deserve their beauty and symbolism.
Dok još uvijek prikupljamo dojmove, fotografije i snimke s naših nastupa i događanja tijekom boravka u Hrvatskoj, želimo se osvrnuti na jednu za nas posebno važnu aktivnost koja se možda odvijala tiše, u pozadini, ali za klapu Kartolina ima iznimno važno značenje.
Riječ je o izradi i premijeri naših novih ženskih nošnji, koje su uz nove muške pojaseve prvi put predstavljene upravo tijekom ove ljetne turneje. Za klape izvan Hrvatske, poput klape Kartolina, nošnja ima dodatnu dimenziju – ona je izraz duboke povezanosti s korijenima, svojevrsni “vizualni izraz” ljubavi prema domovini i želje za očuvanjem hrvatskog identiteta kroz glazbu i kulturu.
Proces njihova nastanka bio je više od krojenja i šivanja. U središtu te priče nalazi se gospođa Slavka Klišanić, vrhunska stručnjakinja za tradicijsko ruho i čuvarica hrvatske baštine, čije je znanje, osjećaj za detalj i razumijevanje našeg klapskog identiteta i želja bilo ključno u oblikovanju izgleda koji ćemo s ponosom nositi dugi niz godina. Zahvalni smo što smo tijekom boravka u domovini imali priliku upoznati je i surađivati s njom – to nam je ostalo u srcu kao posebno drago iskustvo.
Inspirirane splitskom težačkom nošnjom s diskretno uklopljenim elementima poljičke tradicije, nove nošnje odražavaju skromnu eleganciju, ali i žensku snagu, dostojanstvo i pripadnost Dalmatinskom duhu, koje želimo prenijeti kroz pjesmu. Detalji u boji ‘plavca malog’ dodatno povezuju našu glazbu s krajolikom, poviješću i emocijom iz koje je klapska pjesma iznikla.
Nove nošnje su nova stranica, ali napisane istim rukopisom. Naravno, to ne znači da ćemo umiroviti naše svečane splitske nošnje koje su nas krasile od naših početaka – one i dalje imaju posebno mjesto u našoj priči i bit će nošene u prigodama koje zaslužuju njihovu ljepotu i simboliku.
Photos by Klapa Kartolina, Sanjin Kaštelan & Maira Licul (Maira LK photography)
