Avant Garbe: Because time is wibbly wobbly (especially in whatever year this is), in March 2020 I posted about planning a 1790s outfit all based on an amazing fabric I was gifted for an open robe.
Apparently the only thing I posted about this outfit since was painting shoes, in June.
3 comments:
As someone who knows little to nothing about costume design, this was a super fun read! I personally would never go into costume design. I don't think I have the technical skills for it, and while yes, I could learn, I also lack the fashion sense. Something I find very enticing about costume design however is the research. Fashion has been so important for defining decades, culture, and so on. It can reveal so much about a piece dramaturgically. Additionally, it can be used metaphorically, to communicate themes or messages of the piece. It also is a somewhat accessible art form, granted you have the money to afford materials and (if desired) a sewing machine. As this article shows, with the right tools and knowledge, you can create beautiful historically accurate costumes, like a petticoat inspired by those worn in the 1790s, in your home. It inspires me to learn more about sewing, as I have the resources to do so. I am also a big fan of having things I made, and clothing definitely can fall into this category.
I’ll be honest, I clicked on this article because there was a Doctor Who references in the description. I suppose a bonus is now I know how to make a 1790s petticoat. I am not a costume designer or maker at all. I know basic (and I mean basic) hand and machine sewing. Blogs like this have been around since basically the beginning of normal people being on the internet it feels. They’re a great way to be able to get your own ideas and own content onto the web. Something that I find funny about them is that they all kind of have the same vibe. The weird background with the same text. It is very much a well-known aesthetic. I also enjoy that you always get a little story when reading a blog like this one. Because it is someone’s own experience you truly get to understand why they did a certain step and what fabric is best because of XYZ. Creators putting their work on the internet just so other people can see it is one of my favorite things.
I absolutely love historic costume blogs, I follow numerous and many of my friends also have their own. After seeing Avant Garbe I desperately want to start my own blog now. Her work is absolutely incredible and I really respect the level of historical accuracy and detail that is put into the garments throughout the blogs posts. Many costume makers and designers often ignore details like under petticoats, but they are absolutely vital in achieving a historically correct silhouette and structure to a dress. From what I can tell, this petticoat was incredibly well done and I love that she implemented hand stitching throughout the making process even though it wont necessarily be seen under the dress. It always fascinated me that some “non-professional” costumer makers do a better job than many professionals in the film and theater industry all while working from home and also working a separate unrelated job. I may be biased in my opinions on this, because I started in costume design from a historic reenactment point of view, but I still find that many at home historic garment projects can often turn out better than the mass produced warehouse ones produced for the entertainment industry.
Post a Comment