One thing that interests me is modern trends/fashions in historic
costuming. Some are widespread. Movies are a definite influence. The
Titanic movie set off a wave of interest in 1910s styles, and
reenactment and dance events to wear them at, that is still sloshing
around. The revival of Jane Austen's books, and the movies made from
them, has sparked tons of interest in Empire styles. Books can be an
influence; for example the interest in the Women's Institute One-Hour
Dress booklets. (Even though it's not an hour, at least not if you
consider preshrinking your fabric, finishing the seams, trimmings, and
any hand sewing whatever.) The problem I see with that, sometimes, is
people insist that sensible compromises in materials and labor are Total
Accuracy because they can't admit they are never 100% accurate. Or
sometimes, it's just the current fashionable thing in a group. For
example, a longstanding Renaissance Faire performer (a woman) once told
me they had a new member who made beautiful and expensive leather
doublets. All the men wanted one, and the doublet maker racked up lots
of preorders. This woman's husband really wanted a leather doublet
because they were trendy, so she bought him one for Christmas. (Or
rather, got him on the preorder list.) I admired her for not going round
and round about when and why leather doublets were worn, just saying
frankly that people in her group wanted them because they were trendy.
I suppose Mad Men has influenced modern mainstream fashions, though I
hated boxy little sheath dresses then and I hate them now.
Any more examples?
Fran
Lavolta Press
www.lavoltapress.com
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