Costume Sources of Information Fashion History

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. Typical Costume Evidence Actual Costume Artifacts Costume Plates and Fashion Plates Fashion Dolls Paintings Written Costume and Fashion Information Written References Exhibitions Trade Card and Advertisements Cartoons National Sources Local Sources

Typical Costume Evidence Dress has so fascinated society that a number of records are available to us such as this fashion plate from La Mode Illustre. These records are either visual representation or written commentary. National Sources Museum collections of major national museums and private institutions show actual costume and accessories. Ex;UK the Victoria and Albert Museum in Kensington, London is one of the prime sources of costume.
The other great costume collection is held at the Costume Gallery in Bath, in the West of England In Bath, the Costume Gallery provides individual audio controls with up to 6 language translations. Additionally the Research Centre at Bath connected to Bath Museum Educational services has wonderful resource material such as original C19th accessories as well as published material such as La Belle Assemblee , Englishwoman's Domestic Magazine, The Queen, Chic Parisian etc. In addition they hold many fashion catalogues of the 20th Century.

Until the 16th century most evidence is taken from the following:Metalwork Stonework Sculpture Mosaics Woodcarvings Sketches Ceramics Paintings Embroideries Tombs Weavings Body Jewellery Cave Drawings Brass Rubbings

Actual Costume Artefacts Few artefacts before 1600 AD have survived. Those that have, were usually found in extreme environmental conditions where either intense cold or dryness preserved articles. Such items have been found in freezing areas of Russia or the contrasting dry sands of Egypt. Sometime jewellery or hard body equipment such as ivory beads and armoury survive, whilst the surrounding fabric may have disintegrated

Costume Plates and Fashion Plates From the 16th century costume plates appeared. It is important to understand that costume plates represent fashion as it was worn. In contrast fashion plates like pre 20th century fashion dolls promote and publicize possible future fashions. Dress has so fascinated society that a number of records are available to us such as this fashion plate from La Mode Illustre. These records are either visual representation or written commentary

Fashion Dolls Fashion Dolls date from as early as the 14th century. They were widely used in the 17th and 18th centuries as a primary means for supplying the last word in:Fashion Hairstyles Millinery Louis XIV wanted all of Europe to know about Paris fashions so he began sending life-sized fashion dolls to every European Court. The dolls were dressed in the latest styles. Noble ladies would have their tailors imitate the clothes, footwear, hats and accessories on the latest dolls Although effective paper patterns were developed in the Victorian era the use of costumed dolls as models was used even after the Second World War. In mid 1945 the Theatre De La Mode was organised by the Chambre Syndicale of Paris. The miniature fashion dolls were passed from court to court throughout Europe. They were exquisite and represented the latest word in fashion and trimmings. These china dolls were sent to Europe and America in the 19th century.

.Although effective paper patterns were developed in the Victorian era the use of costumed dolls as models was used even after the Second World War. In mid 1945 the Theatre De La Mode was organised by the Chambre Syndicale of Paris. Paintings Paintings are valuable as the wearers of costume are usually in a scenario from which a story can evolve. A study of costume in painting helps the student to gain knowledge of how dress was worn, the hang of the cloth and the assembly of accessories. They often also highlight a typical room setting, accessories, interests and mannerisms of the day. Paintings can give insight into the lifestyle of particular strata of society in a given era. Written Costume and Fashion Information Visual representations of dress need to be cross-checked with other information. The problem of artistic license has always existed and even the photographs available after Kodak's camera invention of 1888, are not always a true record. Written references Accounts of Travel and Exploration Religious Manuals (often a very rich source of Victoria, Jane Austen

Newspapers Magazines Posters Event Programmes

Essays Satires- play, novel in which humour is used Biographies Contemporary Novels Memoirs- written account of people who they have known & events that they remember Historical Works Philosophy Books Etiquette Manuals- sets of customs Personal Conduct Manuals Records Exhibitions Exhibition Catalogues such as those from the Great Exhibition of 1851 give facts that are frequently illuminating. Auction houses produce catalogues and Sothebys and Christies have catalogues with detailed information of sales collections such as Wallis Simpsons jewellery and the sale of the clothes of the late Princess of Wales, Diana. Trade Cards and Advertisements There are collections of trade cards and advertisements in national and local collections. Companies, especially long established ones, often have a written history or records that they will allow the public to access. Old catalogues of shops such as that of Sears or Harrods are a rich source of information. Cartoons In addition cartoons, especially those by Punch magazine, can encapsulate fashion or current ideals of modesty or immodesty. Similarly moral writers of today still describe fashion as right or wrong just as writers of 1000 years ago did Local Sources Public libraries, museums, galleries and private collections may contain family records with account books and local business archives. Newspapers both local and national have always carried articles on fashion and the materials used in fashionable dress. Centenary celebrations and the like sometimes reveal huge collections of photographs.