Because you can't have depths without surfaces.
Linda Grant, thinking about clothes, books and other matters.
Pure Collection Ltd.
Net-a-porter UK

Saturday 19 January 2008

Thought for the day


Dress has not only no social but also no significant aesthetic existence unless it is actually worn. Anne Hollander

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful dress - historical context?

18th century, obviously, but where and when precisely?

Linda Grant said...

It's from the site of the Fashion Museum in Bath

http://www.fashionmuseum.co.uk/

Miss Cavendish said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Miss Cavendish said...

Hollander's thought reminds me of the dilemma that Alice Walker presents in her short story "Everyday Use": should historically significant quilts be "used" or displayed? How I would love to make this dress part of my "everyday" wardrobe!

Anonymous said...

No social or aesthetic existence unless it is actually worn? Nope - I do not agree. Even if that were merely hung on a hanger or a clothes tree, that dress would have a lot to say to us - namely that it was late 18th century, definitely upper class and it stunningly beautiful just in the fabric from which it was made.

Anonymous said...

Interesting that you chose an
18th century gown for this quote, because it made me think of Caroline Weber's book Queen of Fashion: What Marie Antoinette Wore to the Revolution". Caroline explores this theme and many other in the book (her next book is about Coco Chanel btw.)