Court Fashion: The Dukes of Burgundy

Gentle Reader -

There was a time when the court of the dukes of Burgundy wielded power, style and flair. This time in history is just a launch point...

Velvets, damasks and linens - boldly dyed and richly embroidered, the late Middle Ages was a time of experimental fashion. And a time of transition as well.

The cloth dominated fashion up to this time:

- what kind, what color, how much decoration, and who could wear what.

In other words, fashion wasn't quite free way back then.

Now, in fashion history classes, it's easy to get bored with doublets and hennins - whether or not you know the actual names for these archaic pieces of Western dress, you've seen them before.

Examples include:

- Agnes Sorel: any representation will do, but notice the bodice first and the hairline second.

- Venice: before 1453, Venetian style is bit more opulent than Florentine style.

- Jean Sans Peur: because his name just sounds better than 'John the Fearless'.

Remember, those archaic pieces are the foundation for modern fashion, and mark a period (a very long period) when the Rule of Who Could Wear What (the Rule of Cloth) transitions to the Rule of What One Can Get Away With (the Rule of Form).

- AP