Event: POWER, COSTUME & SCENOGRAPHY: Making Fashion a Statement in 18th-19th Century Malta
Date: 27 December 2019
Time: 18:30
Place: National Library, Valletta
The National Library of Malta is inviting the general public to 'POWER, COSTUME & SCENOGRAPHY: Making Fashion a Statement in 18th-19th Century Malta' – a lecture programme covering 2019-2020 and coordinated by Maroma Camilleri and Mevrick Spiteri with accompanying exhibitions set up in collaboration with Heritage Malta.
‘Testimony of a bygone time: study of a gentleman’s banyan and cap’ by Claire Bonavia will examine and discuss a gentleman’s jacket, waistcoat and cap dating back to the eighteenth century; both items will also be on display. The study of the pattern and cut can tell us about the fashion of the time and from which country it might have drawn inspiration and how construction details can help narrowing the dating of the garment. The fabric, along with the materials and techniques, will also be examined as they can reveal the social economic status of the owner and for which occasion the attires were used. This kind of fabric can also indicate the influences and fashions of the era, as oriental inspired objects were really in vogue during the eighteenth century. The evolution of this type of garment along fashion history will also be discussed, as we will find out that contemporary cloths still follow very similar patterns. We will conclude with a brief discussion about the technical aspects of textile conservation and preservation, and the issues a conservation professional encounters when it comes to storage or display of such garments.
This second lecture in a series of 8 free public lectures will be held on 27 December 2019 at 18:30 at the National Library, Valletta.
All Malta Libraries lectures are free and open to the general public – no prior booking necessary.
For further information and updates about the lecture check out the dedicated Facebook event page or send any queries here.