As we enter a brave new world, we arrive at a time and place where there is an opportunity for transformation, a chance to remodel, rebuild, and consider what will happen next. Some may think that it is wholly inappropriate to discuss the nature of fashion and the way we dress in the midst of … Continue reading Fashion of the Future: The Impact of Covid-19 on Fashion and Dress History
'For the past four hundred years, men in western countries have used the three- or two-piece suit - jacket and trousers, often with a waistcoat - to express [...] identity, and as such it has become a universal symbol of masculinity.'[1] Menswear. For me, historically and notoriously difficult to read. I think in part, because … Continue reading Book Review: How to Read a Suit by Lydia Edwards
This post is the third in a collaborative project with Netherlands-based artist Roxy van Bemmel (@whatsaroxy). This scheme sees Bemmel interpret garments from museum collections through a contemporary and abstract eye. Historical context about the piece chosen for analysis is provided by whatgrandmawore. Painting of a woman with a 19th century evening dress from the … Continue reading Collaboration: whatgrandmawore and whatsaroxy
This post is the second in a collaboration with whatgrandmawore and artist Roxy Van Bemmel, a project which sees Roxy visually interpret historical garments from online museum collections, whilst adding her own abstract and modern approach to object observation. Roxy van Bemmel painting of an 1818 evening dress from the Victoria and Albert Museum collection, … Continue reading Collaboration: whatgrandmawore & whatsaroxy
Our guest researcher and blogger Rachel Sayers returns to whatgrandmawore for a second post on Irish history! 'On Sundays at the Carnacun chapel the family [….] would pass by the men in knee breeches, frieze coats, and stovepipe hats; inside the church, the men sat on one side, the women hiding their faces behind shawls … Continue reading Guest Post by Rachel Sayers: The History of Irish Dress 1850-1900
This post is one of many in a collaboration with whatgrandmawore and artist Roxy Van Bemmel. It focuses on the interpretation of historical garments and textiles in an illustrated form, from a modern, abstract, and creative perspective. Roxy van Bemmel painting of an 1826 dress belonging to The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York (2019). All … Continue reading Collaboration with whatgrandmawore and whatsaroxy: Fashion Illustration
Fashioned From Nature could not have come at a more critical time. Increased environmental awareness has finally seemed to resonate with the population. Hopefully, and crucially, it will and has made people aware of their own behaviours; how they personally impact the planet on which we live, and share. Reactions to programmes such as BBC’s Blue … Continue reading Blooming Marvellous: A Review of the V&A’s Fashioned From Nature Exhibition
'Fashion consists only in extremes [...] frivolity and death.' 'Does fashion die [...] because it can no longer keep up the tempo?' Walter Benjamin - The Arcades Project The fashion system relies on a never-ending cycle of newness, spectacle, emulation and death. This is how fashion works - without the invention of new, or the recycling … Continue reading Big, Small, Short and Long: A Brief History of Fashionable Silhouettes
The doll is frequently discussed within the context of childhood. Rarely do we regard the doll as anything outside of this realm. As an owner of many dolls myself, reference to the doll often leads to the reminiscence of my younger self playing with many of these toys, such as the Baby Born, who allowed … Continue reading Fashion Dolls: Pandoras to Barbies
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