I started this blog pretty long time ago, but for lots of reasons - mainly, my life has just started to be too busy - I have stopped writing. Initially, I began to write Hungarian, but now I am thinking of continuing in English. The other reason why I have chosen to write English because it would be nice if I could improve my language skill - this is my reason. The other purpose, I m leaving abroad and the language that I use mainly English so let's do step by step this journey and thank you for joining me.
I was thinking I am going to write about New Zealand but form a bit different angle of what people may know all around the World. An example, next to the breathtaking nature adventures, fashion also always existed in this country.
My idea of not writing long sentences about history, therefore, is books to read; however, I would like to share some exciting pictures, maybe stories and everything that I have found interesting during my research.
My journey will take you back to the middle of 18th Century New Zealand fashion scenery and to the Millenium - 1900 - when fashion had mainly sourced from a culture of local dressmakers and imported fashion.
When an interesting turn over happened.
For the first half of the 1940s New Zealand was cut off from the world, and in particular from direct contact with the world of International high fashion by WWII, which meant developing a distinctive local approach to fashion style, drawing on local creativity and resources instead were relying on Paris, London, and other international catwalks.
" Most New Zealand women could sew to a very high level. The passing of sewing skills was an essential part of the learning process, and allowed women, young and old, access to fashion without resorting to shop-bought clothes."
The Dress Circles
Later on, my plan is to carry on with the 20 Century fashion design history of New Zealand.
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| https://www.nzgeo.com/stories/dancing-down-the-decades/ |
Let's continue talking with more pictures;
"19th-century women wore long dresses, corsets and hats. Fashion was based on styles from London and Paris. From the 1850s, home sewing machines and paper dressmaking patterns were available. In the late 19th century, feminists promoted practical clothes such as knickerbockers (baggy knee-length trousers) for women. These women were confirmed dress reformers and wore their rather masculine clothing with confidence..." Te Are
"19th-century women wore long dresses, corsets and hats. Fashion was based on styles from London and Paris. From the 1850s, home sewing machines and paper dressmaking patterns were available. In the late 19th century, feminists promoted practical clothes such as knickerbockers (baggy knee-length trousers) for women. These women were confirmed dress reformers and wore their rather masculine clothing with confidence..." Te Are
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Unidentified woman, 1870-1889.
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| Three young women, probably of the Riley family, dressed in lace and hats, 1908"From 1907 hats expanded in size and ornamentation. Hair (not clearly seen here) was greatly built up, not only as a look but also to take the large hat pins required to keep the hats fixed on the head. Large hats lost a lot of ornamentation from about 1912 and did not entirely die out until about 1916. The three women here were photographed in 1908. The rest of their dress is a richer variation on the outfit in the previous slide. The plain white blouse and skirt style continued as everyday wear for many women. From 1912, as with hats, garments lost a lot of their ornament and fru fru quality." National Library of New Zealand |
As Europeans settled in New Zealand, Māori - I would like to write about them too:) such a beautiful unique culture - began wearing European clothing. Some outfits combined Māori and European styles. In the 2000s, traditional Māori cloaks are worn at official occasions such as royal tours.
"Ngāti Maniapoto chief Rewi Maniapoto (right) wears a cloak and holds a patu(club), while his adopted son Ngāmotu Pateriki wears Europeandress and also holds a patu. As is often the case with whāngai adoptions, Ngāmotu was related to Rewi – he was the son of his relation Ngāmotu." Te Ara
"Ngāti Maniapoto chief Rewi Maniapoto (right) wears a cloak and holds a patu(club), while his adopted son Ngāmotu Pateriki wears Europeandress and also holds a patu. As is often the case with whāngai adoptions, Ngāmotu was related to Rewi – he was the son of his relation Ngāmotu." Te Ara
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| knickerbockers (baggy knee-length trousers) for women to be continued... :) |
