Michael HarrisonNov 22, 2022
Natania Barron

Green dresses are a personal favorite; this one is up there in my all-time list.

I first ran across it when I was doing research into the history of velvet for one of my ThreadTalk subjects and I could not look away. It looks like it's made of moss, and if I wear it, I may find my way to Faerie.

The date on the gown is somewhere between 1885-1888, & it was made in Scotland by Gowan and Strachan, and is from the National Museums Scotland collection.

#FashionHistory #fashion #ThreadTalk

Nov 22, 2022 at 3:38pmWeb
Show threadNatania BarronNov 22, 2022

If you want to learn more about velvet, I've got a whole page on it with some great resources.

https://www.nataniabarron.com/2021/03/01/voluminous-velvet/

Voluminous Velvet

Natania Barron
Show threadNatania BarronNov 22, 2022

And, if you're interested in the history of green dye -- I've got a #ThreadTalk on that, too.

https://www.nataniabarron.com/2021/06/02/that-eldritch-hue-green-poison-passion-and-privilege/

That Eldritch Hue: Green, poison, passion, and Privilege

Natania Barron
Show threadThe Duality of XanNov 22, 2022
@natania This is the kind of history I always enjoy. The little things which a lot of people don't even think of, which hide such surprising depths.
Show threadNatania BarronNov 22, 2022
@XanIndigo Same! (obviously lol) I really love digging into a subject and then realizing I knew nothing about it really
Show threadThe Duality of XanNov 22, 2022
@natania Oh yes, that's always the best. And sometimes it's amazing how much you can learn, too. One of the most interesting things I wrote this year was about the history of perfume, which is a lot more complex than I realised when I started!
Show threadIris TsuiNov 22, 2022
@natania Oooh this is fascinating! The pics are worth the price of admission on their own, but the info is just delicious. Nice post!
Show threadNatania BarronNov 22, 2022
@iris_tsui Thank you! I used to do these all on Twitter, and thinking of moving them here. :)
Show threadIris TsuiNov 22, 2022
@natania Please do!
Show threadJohnoNov 22, 2022

@natania thanks for writing that velvet article. It was interesting and I learned about Velvet codpieces and masks that you kept on by clenching a button.

Also, Your post, made me imagine a mythic tragedy in which someone is extremely vain while alive, and in the afterlife they are made to hold one of those velvet face masks with their teeth. The longer they hold it the more beautiful they get, but if they drop it they get disfigured somehow and have to start over like Sysiphus.

Show threadNatania BarronNov 22, 2022
@longforjohn That is terrible and wonderful!
Show threaddjohngoNov 22, 2022
@natania Wow!
Show threadCatherine LundoffNov 22, 2022
@natania Is this one of the ones with wildly toxic dye (even by the standards of the time)? I have a vague memory that one or more of the greens was a Bad Idea.
Show threadXan, cat cursed bog witch.Nov 22, 2022
@natania I want to wear this and walk directly into a bog, only to be seen by moonlight.
Show threadgbsteveNov 22, 2022

@natania
Nice!

My favourite dress is this one by Maison Worth in Paris and worn by the Comptesse Greffulhe in 1897.

Show threadNatania BarronNov 22, 2022
@gbsteve I know that dress! I wrote a whole piece on it. :)
Show threadClive ThompsonNov 22, 2022

@natania @gbsteve

What's the URL? Love to read it!

Show threadgbsteveNov 22, 2022
@clive @natania Here you are: https://www.nataniabarron.com/2021/02/11/a-love-letter-to-a-house-of-worth-victorian-tea-gown-1897/
A Love letter to a House of Worth Victorian Tea-Gown – 1897

Natania Barron
Show threadNatania BarronNov 22, 2022
@gbsteve @clive Aww, thanks for grabbing that. I was AFK :)
Show threadClive ThompsonNov 22, 2022

@natania @gbsteve

omg the blue that shimmers off that fabric as it bends and moves -- it's like EXTRADIMENSIONAL or something

Just amazing

Show threadNatania BarronNov 22, 2022
@clive @gbsteve It's a mind-glowing effect. The joy of changeable silk (which has been around for a long time).
Show threadClive ThompsonNov 22, 2022

@gbsteve @natania

omg, spectacular

Show threadAmber LoughNov 22, 2022
@natania go ahead and kill me so I can be buried in it.
Show threadDevon EllingtonNov 22, 2022
@natania That is absolutely gorgeous! As a former wardrobe person in theatre & film, historical fashon and this level of detailed work fascinate me!
Show threadNatania BarronNov 22, 2022
@DevonEllington Right? It's mind-bogglingly amazing art.
Show threadDevon EllingtonNov 22, 2022
@natania Wearable art. The stitchers rarely get the credit they deserve. When you think about when this was done, how beautiful it remains, the craftmanship is astonishing.
Show threadNatania BarronNov 22, 2022
@DevonEllington This is so true. There's a massive bias in historical research regarding fashion... we have misogyny to thank for that. It's getting a little better, but still lingers.
Show threadDevon EllingtonNov 22, 2022
@natania So true. That's another reason it's so much fun to share photos like this. Thank you so much for posting it.
Show threadClive ThompsonNov 22, 2022

@natania

That is epic!