Monday 15 August 2011
Wearing St Paul's Cathedral...
As I said earlier, I used images of St Paul's Cathedral, London as inspiration for the silhouettes in the collection.
What garments can you see???
More ideas will follow shortly so keep your eyes peeled!
Interesting Facts!!!
I have used images of St Paul's Cathedral which are then placed against a fashion croquis to try interesting silhouettes for the collection. I used St Paul's Cathedral as silhouette inspiration because I researched a bit on Mary Wollstonecraft who was a governess and the author of "Frankenstein".
Mary Wollstonecraft was a feminist as well as an influential author.
Feminism which is quite relevant to being a governess and it made me think of the famous Suffragettes in the 1910s. In 1913, the Suffragettes planted a bomb under the Bishop's Throne in the quire of St Paul's Cathedral. In the same year, Emily Davison (a Suffragette), ran in front of the King's Horse in a derby.
Mary Wollstonecraft was a feminist as well as an influential author.
Feminism which is quite relevant to being a governess and it made me think of the famous Suffragettes in the 1910s. In 1913, the Suffragettes planted a bomb under the Bishop's Throne in the quire of St Paul's Cathedral. In the same year, Emily Davison (a Suffragette), ran in front of the King's Horse in a derby.
Friday 5 August 2011
Design Ideas...
Hello folks!!
I have finally came up with some preliminary designs??? What do you think? Feel free to comment!!!
I have finally came up with some preliminary designs??? What do you think? Feel free to comment!!!
Saturday 30 July 2011
More Pattern Ideas...
What do you think? I tried to experiment with different pattern formations.
Comments would be really beneficial!!!!!!!
COPYRIGHT NOTICE: These images are not allowed to be used elsewhere, unless, I (Alexander Nicholas) grant permission to use the images.
Jane Eyre
I have also just finished reading "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Bronte. Again this is a sort of autobiography by Charlotte herself. All of the Bronte sisters were Governesses as they were unmarried (whilst being young) and had were educated.
Again this is a really good book, I RECOMMEND THAT YOU READ IT!!!
I might make some short videos to summarize the stories of Agnes Grey (Anne Bronte) and Jane Eyre (Charlotte Bronte)!! So keeping checking for them if I do create them.
Also who has read Jane Eyre or Agnes Grey? Did you enjoy reading them?
Again this is a really good book, I RECOMMEND THAT YOU READ IT!!!
I might make some short videos to summarize the stories of Agnes Grey (Anne Bronte) and Jane Eyre (Charlotte Bronte)!! So keeping checking for them if I do create them.
Also who has read Jane Eyre or Agnes Grey? Did you enjoy reading them?
Friday 29 July 2011
Pattern Ideas...
Here are some pattern ideas. These were formed by using and manipulating photos which I found of Georgian Women.
I really like this pattern it could look real nice on a hem or a garment's edge, or even lace work!!
I also like the modernity of this pattern, this could be a really interesting print on a garment.
What do you think??
COPYRIGHT NOTICE: These images are not allowed to be used elsewhere, unless, I (Alexander Nicholas) grant permission to use the images.
Thursday 28 July 2011
An idea.........
As explain earlier, Governesses suffered from immense hardship from the mother (in most cases) AND the child(ren) as well. Some children in the novel "Agnes Grey" describes that they looked into her desk of her only and valued possessions without her permission and to make things worse, they threw some of her possessions out of the school room window. So, this gave me the idea that I should maybe incorporate children's drawings/doodles on to the fabric.
Here is a similar effect in Vivienne Westwood incorporated into her Fall/Winter 2008 Collection which is still really beautiful.
Here is a similar effect in Vivienne Westwood incorporated into her Fall/Winter 2008 Collection which is still really beautiful.
Wednesday 27 July 2011
1850s Fashion Pictures
At the moment, I cannot find any resources other than portraits and other visual mediums.
Does anyone know of any resources which will benefit my research into mid-19th Century Women's Fashion?
Tuesday 26 July 2011
Crocheting.......
Well, as I said on my Twitter, I learnt a bit on crocheting and finished my first Granny Square!! It was really fun to do, to say I am not old nor a woman!
You can also learn to make a Granny Square as well, if you want, here is the first video/lesson. You will learn A LOT!!
You can also learn to make a Granny Square as well, if you want, here is the first video/lesson. You will learn A LOT!!
The Governess' Past-times
Outside of the schoolroom, Governess' did have a life of their own. However, according to some novels, most of their free time was devoted in doing the pupil's class work to some extent. On the off chance that they actually have free time for herself, she would do some of her favourite hobbies such as crocheting, knitting, drawing, painting or playing an instrument. Also, she would spend time in mending and washing her garments.
So, I have decided to take up all of these hobbies for myself and have a go and experiment with these "old" techniques.
So, I have decided to take up all of these hobbies for myself and have a go and experiment with these "old" techniques.
Monday 25 July 2011
When I typed in "Agnes Grey" into Google Images....
I found this really interesting book cover:
The original image/painting is by Sir Francis Grant. The women in this painting is actually her daughter, Daisy Grant. What I like about this painting is what Daisy is wearing, an interesting sculptured dress with a revealing red petticoat!! What do you think about this painting, do you like it or not?
The original image/painting is by Sir Francis Grant. The women in this painting is actually her daughter, Daisy Grant. What I like about this painting is what Daisy is wearing, an interesting sculptured dress with a revealing red petticoat!! What do you think about this painting, do you like it or not?
"Agnes Grey" by Anne Bronte
I have finished reading "Agnes Grey" by Anne Bronte it is such a good book!!!
Basically, it is an autobiography of Anne Bronte's experiences as a Governess (Agnes Grey = Anne Bronte). These so called "situations" that she took up during her career as a Governess were described to be hellish as the children were disrepectful towards her, as the children felt they were in a higher rank/class to her. Throughout the novel, it gives a great deal of evidence concerning the typical Governess' behaviour and role. As described in the novel, Agnes experiences complete loneliness and sometimes hardship from her employer (the mother's of the families). Generally, Governess were feared by many mothers because the mothers feared that their child(ren)'s affection moves toward the Governess, as she is the person that spends most of her time with the child(ren).
Not only does the Governess experiences such hardship from the mother/the employer, as said in the novel, in most cases, she experiences hardship from the child(ren) whom she cannot control with firmness/brutality (to some extent) which is necessary.
Basically, it is an autobiography of Anne Bronte's experiences as a Governess (Agnes Grey = Anne Bronte). These so called "situations" that she took up during her career as a Governess were described to be hellish as the children were disrepectful towards her, as the children felt they were in a higher rank/class to her. Throughout the novel, it gives a great deal of evidence concerning the typical Governess' behaviour and role. As described in the novel, Agnes experiences complete loneliness and sometimes hardship from her employer (the mother's of the families). Generally, Governess were feared by many mothers because the mothers feared that their child(ren)'s affection moves toward the Governess, as she is the person that spends most of her time with the child(ren).
Not only does the Governess experiences such hardship from the mother/the employer, as said in the novel, in most cases, she experiences hardship from the child(ren) whom she cannot control with firmness/brutality (to some extent) which is necessary.
Victorian Governesses
As said earlier, the majority of Governesses at the time faced hardship and solitude because they had an unusual middle ground between a servant and a member of the family. Governesses (being majorly frowned upon) started to become apparent within Georgian (Pre-Victorian) Culture. As shown in the painting above by Richard Redgrave, the Governess (on the left) sits alone, in the darkest part of the painting whilst the wealthy daughters dressed in "bright" colours. This presents a clear juxtaposition even though most Governesses were as young (18-early 20s) as some of her pupils.
Shown below is a painting by Rebecca Solomon, the Governess' divide is apparent (Governess, on the right with the child of course) between "the employer" (the rich family) and the Governess herself.
I am back...
Hello everyone
As the title implies, I AM BACK!!! After finishing my GCSE exams, I now have time to focus on this passion and ambition of mine.
Having nothing to do, I recently started an art project which is based on Victorian Governesses. Their role was to teach young children, especially young girls the so-called "essential occupations" such as Drawing/Painting, Knitting, French, maybe German, Singing, Dancing and Playing a Piano. I think it is really interesting how in the Victorian Class System, Governesses were seen as a last resort profession and was frowned upon. However, young and educated middle-class women who were unmarried had no choice but to become a governess for to earn a living. Also, as these Governesses were in a social limbo between a servant (because they were being paid to offer their service) and a family member (as they taught the family's daughters/sons), they experienced great hardship and grave solitude.
As the title implies, I AM BACK!!! After finishing my GCSE exams, I now have time to focus on this passion and ambition of mine.
Having nothing to do, I recently started an art project which is based on Victorian Governesses. Their role was to teach young children, especially young girls the so-called "essential occupations" such as Drawing/Painting, Knitting, French, maybe German, Singing, Dancing and Playing a Piano. I think it is really interesting how in the Victorian Class System, Governesses were seen as a last resort profession and was frowned upon. However, young and educated middle-class women who were unmarried had no choice but to become a governess for to earn a living. Also, as these Governesses were in a social limbo between a servant (because they were being paid to offer their service) and a family member (as they taught the family's daughters/sons), they experienced great hardship and grave solitude.
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