.. the Reform Movement.  Aesthetes saw fashion as ugly machine made products from the Industrial Revolution.  Their dislike ranged from distaste for the ugliness of false structures and veneers to the crudeness of synthetic dyes to the over working of Victorian imagery. They ignored the benefits of cheap costs for …

… soft and comfortable corsets, approved by physicians.  The concept of wearing something other than highly “trussed”, constricted style that had been in vogue since the invention of metal grommets in 1822, was indeed challenged by many throughout history, yet few women embraced the idea. The position of a woman …

…considered by historians to be Queen Victoria of England’s early reign, 1837-1860.  In this time she was a teen, was crowned, was married, and had all of her children. In the industrial and technical world of this time frame, movements like the Rational Dress Reform Society and the Aesthetic Dress …

… as a bank robber.  1895 interpreter Kateri will be getting a makeover to become “Etta Place”, wife of notorious outlaw The Sundance Kid. Because so little is known about Etta, Kat will be doing a lot of improv, and she won’t EXACTLY play Etta, but a woman like her …

… our newest “Buffalo Gal” hired interpreter – Chris Davis.  She will be wearing our 1885 farm wife ensemble in fashion shows, but we are developing her new character and ensemble for an 1898 Livery Owner (horse woman). Welcome aboard Chris!

… as Victorians began to recognize women as thinking people.  As the year 1900 approached, women intellectuals began to speak openly.  Many joined the Fabian Society, a group of socialists.  Others sought reform for more practical dress (e.g. no corsets), better education, the right to keep their profits from paid …

…everywhere and at all social and class levels.  New inventions and how to use them opened doors for poor women to improve their situations through work.  Acceptance of women as thinking beings as the era progressed closed the gap to give women common causes to rally around.  The place men …

… Victorian fashion required different ensembles for different occasions.  Designer Charles Worth, an Englishman-turned-Parisian-designer, introduced the word “costume” at this time, and Victoria expanded upon the concept for her country. “Costume” meant there was morning and mourning dress, walking dress, town dress, visiting dress, receiving visitors dress, traveling dress, shooting …

… was very different.  An affluent wife was supposed to spend her time reading, sewing, receiving guests, going visiting, letter writing, seeing to the servants, and dressing the part of her husband’s social representative. Her clothing was made specifically to show off wealth, and that became more and more lavish …

.. even though husbands kept mistresses, and were free to mingle in their “gentlemen’s clubs” where they could find a warm welcome among male friends, and often comfort in a woman’s. If a women took a lover it was never to be made public because if it did become public …