Historical Clothing's Comeback

The specific style of embroidery on the Peacock Dress is called zardozi, which comes from two Persian words: zar or zarin, meaning “gold,” and dozi, meaning “sewing.” photo courtesy of Cathy Hay

The Craftsmanship Initiative via Craftsman Quarterly, brings us an article by Beth Winegarner on the growing interest in historical (European) dress. Winegarner examines this topic through the lenses of social media, eco-consciousness, a desire to engage with the tactile and handmade, the convergence of renaissance traditions and black history and more. She introduces us to several sewists, makers and enthusiasts who represent a sampling of the community convergence around and appreciation of historical clothing. If you’re excited and intrigues by the clothing of eras past, this one’s for you!

“Who would think that a collection of sewing enthusiasts, dedicated to the anachronistic art of making old-fashioned clothes, would stumble onto a path that revives quality, comfort, ecological consciousness, and respect for the female form in all its varieties? Just ask the historical dress community’s thousands of followers.”