Festina Lente

Prologue.

We live in an imperfect world so, for me at least, being able to escape
from the mundane realities of this life is what enables me to cope with the
often boring and repetitious predictabilities of it.

To be absorbed into one’s own imagination for a while can give rise to
previously unknown worldly dimensions of wonder, fascination, motivation,
beauty, truth, and ultimately, contentment with much of what everyday life
presents.

Imagination is the beginning of creation. You imagine what you desire, you will what you imagine and at last you create what you will. George Bernard Shaw

 

To be without imaginative capacities my daily existence would be reduced to
just one reality, the immediate, the ever present space and time around me, so
to feed my adventurous and creative personality I need the inspirational
thoughts that surface whenever I use my imagination…

 

Him that makes shoes go barefoot himself.

Robert Burton, 1621

While I’ve been busy making clothing for other people, I noticed that I have, quite unintentionally, neglected my own wear. Living in jeans and t-shirts for a very long time was a normal thing for me, perhaps because when we do something all day at work, we don’t want to spend our free time doing it as well.

How it all started

The idea of wearing historically inspired pieces on a daily basis came to me in 2014, a way before I knew what Historybounding is. Huge thank you to Morgan Donner for such a wonderful word term.

That was the year when I made a move from modern dressmaking to creating costumes. I was so inspired by Renaissance paintings and that era’s clothes; I just couldn’t stop thinking about it. Surprisingly and completely lost interest in modern fashion just like this.

History of sewing, different old techniques and patterns are so fascinating. All that was making me think how wonderful it would be wearing a fully hand sewn piece from natural fabrics inspired by that era.

Long walking skirt easily became my essential. Wearing linen shirts is absolute delight. I do enjoy wearing linen, silk, and wool. It feels absolutely different wearing natural fabrics. 

Skirts, dresses weren’t my thing for over a decade and now I absolutely love wearing long linen and wool skirts, silk chemises with my favourite mustard doublet, and my favourite long black wool frock coat.

Hats are a special addition to my Historybounding. I totally enjoyed the whole process of learning and making them. I made 7 wool hats of different colours, 5 of them are inspired by Renaissance era hats.

I’d love to make for myself some slashed doublets, a couple of wool cloaks, more skirts, also some beautiful hand sewn linen chemises with lace cutwork. Existing time ahead! I’ll try to organize regular blog posts here on my website to share my costume projects and Historybounding adventures.

 

 

One should have the freedom to wear what they like. 

Dressing up is one of those things that never gets old.  It can reflect your mood, and your personality. So why limit yourself by wearing something boring and plain when you can wear something that expresses you? Dress up for yourself, not for others.

Look at those amazing photos of any city’s downtown before the 1970s. 60 years ago you couldn’t even go to the grocery store without having a dress on and your hair styled.

 

One of the best ways to show your creativity and individuality is through what you wear. Dress up, be confident and comfortable. Life’s too short to blend in.

Be unique in your own way, no matter what. Don’t settle for average.

 

Keep on rocking your style and always remember, people who are unique are ones who make this world different.