Fashion Dolls, A History Lesson
Recently the Fashion Doll Friends Club of northeast Ohio received a real history lesson in the world of fashion.
The group took a field trip to the Kent State University’s fashion museum in Kent. This proved to be another confirmation of how the world of dolls helps us define our history and current events as well as future trends. As we meandered through the exhibits led by our tour guide we were all brought from the early 1700’s through today and peeked into the future through fashion and art. The “Fashion Timeline” showcases the museums’ world-class historic fashions encompassing two centuries of fashion history.
Those of us that are interested in the French fashion dolls and their captivating wardrobes had a real treat with the tour of the 18th century waistcoats and silk embroidered panels. A 1760’s robe la francaise with wide pleats cascading in sumptuous silk, made it really hard not to touch. A real history lesson with the Civil War fashions. What a treat!
Now can I go home and sew that up for my doll? Well, it was a real treat to see it anyway!
The modern and vintage fashion doll collector was not left out on this trip. Many exhibits including the “A Day at the Beach” display, took us to a simpler time, crossing from 1865 to 1915 of beachwear either worn on or near the beach of that day. This is also a reminder that in this time vacationing as we know it was an exclusive domain, to be enjoyed by the wealthy elite and did not become accessible to the middle class until the mid-nineteenth century. At the same time that transportation and leisure time increased, so did the range of activities deemed acceptable.
“Life, Thoughts and Garments”; Linda Ohrn-McDaniel’s recent works delighted our modern fashion doll collectors as we studied the basic geometric shapes and took a second look at a garment made of paper.
Our group was also treated to beautiful paintings as well as glassware old and new.
A doll trip would not be complete without a purchase to add to our collection, right? Once again this trip did not dissapoint as we stopped at the gift shop and stocked up on paper dolls galore.
What a great way to spend a Saturday with doll friends, I would suggest this trip for collectors and non-collectors alike.
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