Fashion History Blog

This wonderful and crazy bunch of people minus the men has two shows scheduled for May – one for the public.  We’ll be performing June to September for the public alongside the men. Check for more info as we rope and tie the details.

Many people previously rural became urbanized because they could take the train to town.  Country families moved into crowded conditions in towns and cities to stay with relatives while they looked for work.  Due to the huge population boom, many lived in poverty without water, sanitation, and sometimes food. (Photo:  …

….Country became Urban.  English elite prospered in the reign of Victoria due to development of new machinery, improved work methods, and an underpaid workforce that consisted of adults and children who lived in poverty. (Photo: 1840 working class on a typical London business district street)  

.. Remember the 6 Key Concepts from last month that affect fashion?  Technological developments, industry, and so economic status directly affected what women wore at any given time.  In England, a big part of that was class status as it changed. In America of the 1840’s, because women were still …

  .. in about 1840 , “Victorian” dictates took definite shape.  It was defined by Victoria’s “prudish” attitude and strict rules for moral behavior that lasted until about 1890 when Prince Edward the Prince of Wales and his high spirited “Edwardians” took over societal conduct even though she was still …

When Victoria became Queen of England in 1837, she was 18 years old.  In 1837, it was still the Regency Era – defining fashion and attitudes – coming off the former King Georges and influences of the French under Napoleon Bonaparte. Regency’s “little white dress” had evolved into elaborate Rococco …

… Victoria, Duchess of Kent was one of the 5 key fashion influences of all times.  She began life as royalty, lived as royalty, and ended as royalty; leaving royal heirs in nearly every European country. (Portrait:  as early as age 4, the future Queen Victoria was a fashion mogul) …

…over England for 64 years.  Crowned at age 18, she also ruled over fashion from 1837 until her son Edward’s flippant styles crossed over hers into the Edwardian Fashion Era around 1900.  1837 to (about) 1891 are called the “Victorian Years” in fashion.  This applied to clothing, furniture, and anything …

We’ve studied the French queens like Marie Antoinette in the second half of the 18th century (1700’s).  We’ve VERY thoroughly gone over the Regency era and Napoleon with his empresses Josephine, Marie Louise and sisters and siblings. We touched on modern French fashion influences through Eugenie and Russia’s in Alexandria. …

… in their first public appearance!  Carol (1765), Shelly (1790), Jacinta (1805), Fiona (1866), Kristi (1868-72), Suzi (1883), Melissa (1885), Kateri (1895), and Doty (1909)!!!  We have more joining us this summer as we work interpretive events. We are building custom ensembles for each to suit 1870-1905 depictions for street …