When the youngest daughter of the Earl of Downton in the BBC television drama Downton Abbey chose a new evening dress with a divided ‘harem’ skirt, we knew that she was destined for a different life than her older sisters. Lady Sybil’s daring flirtation with avant-garde fashion prepared viewers for her later rebellion against the conservative, tradition-bound life she led. Similarly, in Upstairs Downstairs, when Lady Agnes posed for a stocking advertisement she pushed the boundaries of what was acceptable for a woman of her social class.
This illustrated talk explores how women’s fashion in this dramatic era changed right along with women’s lives, sometimes leading the way, sometimes running to catch up.
Madelyn Shaw is an independent curator and author specializing in the exploration of American history and culture through textiles and dress. She also spent her twenties as a theatrical costumer, working on Broadway, off-Broadway, and regional productions—which gives her a little insight into why the costume designers for these shows made some of the choices they did.
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