Category: Fashion History

Sculpted metal dresses by Bernard and François Baschet from the 1966 film “Qui êtes-vous Poly-Maggoo?”

These avant-garde, sculpted metal and aluminum dresses were created by Bernard and François Baschet, and worn in the 1966 William Klein film “Qui êtes-vous Poly-Maggoo?” (Who Are You, Polly Maggoo?). The Baschet brothers had a background in creating sound sculptures and musical instruments. Their famous design aesthetic came from folding metal sheets into geometric shapes, […]

Lady Mendl’s Elsa Schiaparelli “Apollo of Versailles” cape

The detailing in Elsa Schiaparelli’s “Apollo of Versailles” cape is simply exquisite. This piece comes from Schiaparelli’s iconic Autumn/Winter 1938-39 Cosmique collection, which was dedicated to “the worldly women.” Cosmique featured pieces with imagery inspired by the solar system, constellations and astronomy as well as historical events and figures. Schiaparelli took interest in astronomy because […]

The history of 17th century plague doctor costumes

Read more fashion history at www.fashionwithrenee.com and follow on social @fashionwithrenee Bird beak masks were a part of the earliest iteration of a hazmat suit. They were designed in 1619 and worn by doctors in the 17th century to protect themselves while treating patients with the plague.These striking, eerie masks had round glass eye openings and fastened […]

The History Of The Ballet Tutu

The tutu has become an iconic and integral part of the ballet aesthetic over the years. Though they are now created in thousands of dazzling colors and styles, their origin was originally for function over fashion. The skirt that we know today as the “Romantic tutu” traces all the way back to 1832 to a […]