Inside Out

3/1/2018

Two weeks ago I attended a lecture and exhibit at Towson University called

from the

INSIDE OUT
building the silhouette

I promised to add more information and post photos from the Inside Out exhibit, but chorus, creating curriculum, painting, trips, and birthday celebrations got in the way. Better late than never. This is the description from the program overview. I'm still trying to identify the "morally uplifting " garments!

"Clothing, and the silhouettes they created, changed at a dizzying pace during nineteenth century, emphasizing and drawing attention to different body parts by cinching here, pooling there, raising and lowering hens and necklines, and adding or removing bustles and decorative flairs. Although today we rely heavily on exercise and diet to create a pleasing armature, in the past it was the outfits themselves, and particularly the undergarments, that did the work, pushing, prodding, hiding and emphasizing the lines and curves of the body, providing clues to what was considered attractive, risqué, scandalous, pleasing, appropriate of even morally uplifting."

Co-curated by the
Erin Lehman, Director of the Department of Art and Design Gallery
and
Julie Potter, Associate Professor of Theater

The exhibit will be on display until March 17, 2018

Gallery Hours are Tuesday - Saturday, 11 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Center for the Arts
1 Fine Arts Drive, Towson, MD 21252

The Bustle

We'll begin with the bustle. I've never really understood it, and now that I've seen what goes on underneath, I'm even more confused. Fom what I've read since the exhibit, there was a need to lift up the heavy fabrics in the back of the garment to prevent them from dragging so much.
Had it been my decision, I think I would have used lighter fabric, shortened the skirt and not weighed it down with multiple pleated ruffles! They created an elaborate base and attached what looks like a heavy duty slinkies, covered with fabric and tied it onto the base.

This is the base, used to provide support to attach the bustle.

This bustle was made of wire and covered with muslin. There are many kinds of bustles and if you are interested, you'll find a wealth of information on how they evolved. Warning. Do not even think about sitting down.

Bride gown on display at the exhibit.

The detail on the dress was exquisite!

Cinched Waists and Long Full Skirts

The extended train diminished and the bustle was no longer needed, but long sleeved high bodices with cinched skirt and long full skirts ensured full coverage. The embellishments and attention to detail were works of art.