19th century fashion: colour, design and revolution
- Course Code: VB851
- Dates: 29/03/25 - 29/03/25
- Time: 11:00 - 17:00
- Taught: Sat, Daytime
- Duration: 1 session
- Location: Keeley Street
- Tutor: Rachel Sanders
Course Code: VB851
Duration: 1 session
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What is the course about?
This short course charts the changing shape of nineteenth-century European fashion, from the Napoleonic era to the suffrage movement, examining key items of male and female clothing as cultural products and explores the relationship between fashion and events such as revolution, social and political progress, economic development and the birth of the artistic avant-garde. We will study garments as examples of material culture that maintain a systematic relationship with the societies that wore them, and we will consider clothes as signs that make various statements about identity.
What will we cover?
• The changing shape and structure of fashion, considering materials, artistic influences and developing skills and techniques.
• The impact of social change on fashion, considering politics, class, gender roles and identity.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
• Describe the visual changes in men’s and women’s fashion during the nineteenth century
• Explain the impetus behind the dress reform movement (rational dress & artistic dress)
• Assess the relationship between fashion ritual and etiquette, and changing social roles and experiences in the nineteenth century.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This course is suitable for all levels.
You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions, demonstrations, hand-outs and health and safety information, and will be invited to take part in group discussion.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
You will be taught with slide presentations and group discussions.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
You might wish to bring a notebook. You might wish to buy some of the books on any reading list given out in class.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
You might also be interested in:
20th century fashion: from Chanel to McQueen
Fashion and costume in art.
Dr Rachel Sanders received her MA and PhD in History of Art from University College, London. She has taught at a number of institutions and currently lectures on the history of art and design at City Lit and Oxford Brookes University. Her research interest is early twentieth-century American political paintings and cartoons. She has published a number of articles on her research specialism and is currently writing a book on New Masses magazine.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
