As an introduction to Croatian folk life traditions, this exhibition at the Riffe Gallery centers on folk dress and household textiles, complemented by historic illustrations, contemporary photographs, ceramic and stone models of village architecture, original naive art featuring village life and ritual artifacts. Much of it is the work of women's hands because women traditionally have been the nurturers and conservators of the nation's culture. All tell of the history and values of the Croatian nation.
Identity also is a marked characteristic of Croatian folk dress.
Regional and social identity are expressed by style, design and color. Clothing of both men and women expresses regional identity, while social identity is more clearly shown in women's folk dress. History also is revealed in folk dress. A region reflects its history of invasions by the addition of weapons as an integral part of men's folk dress, while women's folk dress includes the coins and jewels of their dowries to facilitate flight without financial ruin. To this day, the path of refugees fleeing the Ottoman invasions can be traced through the study of embroidery designs on women's folk dress.