For centuries Europe has been a major powerhouse in the production of textiles. Countries like Spain, Italy and France are known for their luxurious silks, while the United Kingdom is remembered for it’s wool output. Little recognition is given to Germany. The textile industry in Germany during the 18th and 19th Centuries has a rich…
For centuries, artists and designers have looked back to Classical Antiquity for inspiration. Many were able to achieve the essence of the Classical period but few could take that inspiration and make something completely new and imaginative. Mariano Fortuny (1871-1949) was a designer who created textiles, garments, furniture, and accessories with a unique Greco-Roman style…
Mourning Virgin is one of two wood figurines flanking either side of a doorway at the MET Cloisters museum (I.D. 12.200.2). At about 4 feet, 3 inches high, this is a relatively small art work. This sculpture is from the 13th Century and comes from Tyrol, Austria, by an unknown artist. Originally, this piece…
The term “cultural appropriation” has started to be heard increasingly common lately, often denounced (as a practice) by the more socially conscious among the population. But what exactly is it? Maisha Johnson defines it thus: “Members of a dominant culture adopt elements from a culture of people who have been systematically oppressed by that dominate…
As a society, we tend to think of the 1930s as a forlorn decade. The Great Depression inflicted destitution, distress, and despair upon millions. There was one place, however, that people could go to escape from this harsh reality: the movies. Big musical numbers, handsome leading men, and gorgeous starlets all brought the citizens of…
Every October 31st, millions of people leave their ordinary, day-to-day clothes hanging in their closets and instead, don costumes. Only on this day is it acceptable to wear outrageously fun and spooky clothes out and about. We call this celebration Halloween and many of us look forward to a night where we can forget ourselves…
The film Letty Lynton (1932) would probably be more or less forgotten today were it not for the white organdy (or oragandie) gown worn by the star of the film, Joan Crawford. The film itself got decent reviews but it was the gown that is remembered today. Created by MGM's head costume designer Adrian, the…
The term “Disco” was coined in Playboy Magazine in 1964 as a shortened version of “discotheque”. The origins of the discotheque go back to Nazi-Occupied France, where people would meet to dance to jazz records instead of live music as protest against the Nazi regime. 1970s Disco was born in the African American and Gay…
The origin of faux-beauty marks lies in the Renaissance, where pale white ladies covered any sort of blemish with a little dark dot. Before this, any blemish on the face was considered the sign of possession by the devil. Women would have to find ways to cover the marks they were born with. However, once the wealthy…
The bullet, or cone bra, is one of the most infamous pieces of underwear. The bullet bra was designed in the late 1930s, but because of WWII, it wasn't really seen until the 1950s. Maidenform was the brand that really catapulted the bra into the mainstream. Their ads featured women looking confident and strong wearing…
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