If you are enjoying my content, consider supporting my work via my Patreon page and benefit from a whole host of extra perks such as discounts on classes and workshops, exclusive content, private lessons, etc. :-D www.patreon.com/thecreativecontessa.
Linen really is the best fabric! :-) in fact I have an entire modern wardrobe consisting of nothing but linen dresses, skirts, shirts and pants specifically aimed at hot and humid climes.
Having put those pianelle through their paces in Florence, Siena and Lucca, I can attest to that function first hand! (Have a video on that experience as well...😅)
Magnificent! As regards the observations of Lucrezia, I was reading Lauren Johnston's Shadow King biography of Henry VI of England. It seems he asked for pictures of potential French brides in their kirtles, which I'm assuming were the northern European version. Meat markets were sadly a fixture in the days before sexuality loosened up a bit! I suspect the modern equivalent of a gamorra would be something like good quality pyjamas or 'loungewear'. As the equivalent of the contessa for our plague-ridden times, a nice suit of loungewear is good for the weekend. I've worn loose, new PJ trousers for my personal organiser to visit but wouldn't go out even to the corner shop in them. But there was a bit of a hoo-ha in the British press about women of leisure nipping out to a supermarket to get milk or run the children to school in...loungewear. So perhaps we do have a gamorra equivalent, although the mind boggles at the idea of little Prince George (son of Wills and Kate) being sent pictures of ladies in their pyjamas to show off their bodies. I think that's now something men do in secret...or from Ann Summers' catalogues.
Thank you for the compliment and for the idea of pyjamas/loungewear as the modern moral equivalent of the gamurra! Also, I appreciate the tip on the Henry VI bio and will be checking that out - I always feel badly for Henry VI because he should have been born a third son, allowed to retire from secular life entirely and pursue a devout life of peaceful contemplation and prayer in some remote monastic community. Kirtles are indeed the northern European equivalent of the gamurra (I have a closet full of them for my Franco-Burgundian ensembles from this same period) and reveal even more about a lady's figure than the gamurra!
A kirtle was an overdress it wasn't the chemise which is what she is wearing in the video but she is just saying what it was called in medieval italy. No wonder I understood it cause in spanish a undergarment like that is a camiseta or camisola.
You have made my morning - now I am laughing too! I had forgotten that comment of mine! Thank you for your support, and I hope you continue to enjoy my wry sense of humor. :-D
Indeed, this is how I do my hair, whether for ponytail or a braid. I haven't used hair elastics in years, and it's a good application for practice finger Loop braids. 😊
Thank you for commenting on for the compliment! I'm very pleased that you enjoy my particular style. While I work on the next several videos for posting, I hope that the rest of my already posted content keeps you engaged. 😃
hahaha! Most definitely - dressing takes about an hour in total, with hair! It is why, once attired in this style, I stay 1480s Florentine for the day! :-D
If you have the time, can you please tell me how you made the coat of arms for your left sleeve? (Edit: Or possibly do a video for the masses showing/telling us?) I'm about to make a similar gown for the first time and would love to do the same with my own device. I'm really not big on ornate additions, but that's so neat I'd like to do it for myself for the historical detail. :) Also, this video is what pushed me to finally buy the Margo Anderson patterns instead of trying to slap something together on my own. So I can hopefully look just as fashionably period as yourself!
First off, your praise and feedback have made my evening - I make these videos to inspire creativity and beauty - and to have more lovely Florentines floating about - so mission accomplished! :-D Regarding the embroidered sleeve detail - in a nutshell, I found a 15th century Italian version of a Fleur de Lys that I liked and rendered that in appropriate stitches on a linen ground, then appliqued it on. But, for more detail, I think you are right - a video shall be in order!
Such a throrough and pleasant video. The music adds to the immersiveness. Also that piece of furniture on the right in the first shot is INSANE ! What is it called ?
Thank you so much for watching and for the compliments! As for your question, that item is sometimes called a sideboard. It's a Neo Gothic version, so it's a bit taller than the original 15th century versions would have been, but I was extremely pleased to find the piece in any case! :-)
Holy horse hockey, you resemble a reincarnated of Mona Lisa. You have a twin !!😊😊 not many people can say they resemble a famous historical person. 🤔🤔🤔
Aw, thank you! Actually, according to the video analytics, one of the top search terms that brings people to this video is apparently "Mona Lisa". So apparently UA-cam agrees with you! 😅
Thank you so much for the compliment! We purchased that ring from a very fine jewelry in Canada. We have many of his replica pieces and can recommend his work: www.medievalwares.com/
Take a good look in the mirror you resemble La Ghiaconda, (Lady Mona Lisa)....!!!!!!! I think that's a pretty hot dress too, straight out of Zefferelli's Romeo & Juliet ! 😍
I agree! Some people, though, propose that women just freely bled into their white linen under shirts. Or that women only were a special kind of garment during their menses. Or that adult women didn't actually have much in the way of menses because they either spent the time pregnant or nursing and therefore not menstruating. But I've read some pretty convincing arguments against this latter contention.
I am really sorry to hear that! How closed are the necklines on the garments you have tried wearing? I find that it makes a massive difference whether my neckline is high or low (these are low). Have you tried any evaporative cooling methods, such as wetting your smock/camicia before putting it on? Wearing a wet linen coif/veil?
@@thecreativecontessa I have only worn Viking garb for my events, with a simple linen dress and apron. That is about the most I can handle. Necklines are not tight, and it's got gores to the bust (not accurate) so I have all the moving space I can get. My issue is that I have MS, and my body doesn't regulate heat well as one of my symptoms. I would genuinely enjoy events in ten degree weather outside =P I have considered 'faking' the layers to limit how many I'm wearing, but even that isn't really going to look right. I have several cooling devices but they do only go so far. As much as I want to embroider the snot out of these fancy gowns, I may be a peasant in cast off linen forever ;)
@@czerniana Ah, I understand! I have several friends who suffer from MS with similar symptoms....So maybe moving to the Arctic Circle would be a good choice for you? 😀Given your circumstances, I definitely recommend faking the three layers, and there are techniques that would create a garment that would pass the ten foot rule if well executed (fake camicia poofs and neckline; false underskirt panel, etc.). And the lower neckline of the Florentine fashion might be a boon for you.
@@thecreativecontessa Arctic Circle, Northern Canada, somewhere high up in the alps, a tent on an iceberg…. You know, those places =P. Sleeve poofs and underskirt panels are easy enough to fake. It’s just a matter of me sitting down and figuring it out honestly, and I’m a far better embroiderer than I am seamstress. One day! Till then I just live vicariously through normies like you ;)
I sadly did not see the exhibit at the Met as I was out of the country for large chunks of that time. Let me check out the designs and get back to you on the differences! 😊
So it seems that Julieta's ensemble is based on a combination of 1490s Milanese and Venetian fashion. The other women seem to be dressed in clothing that predates hers by 50-60 years. My ensemble is Florentine 1480s, which means it is much less ornate because Florence was a Republic in this era that ostensibly valued modesty. 😅
Thank you for commenting! I purchase my stockings from Hero's Haven. They do go to some of the major SCA wars, like Pennsic, but you can order online: socksamerica.com/ What I like about them is that it is a family-owned business whose mills are all located in the US. Also, the owner actually goes and vends at events, so he has a connection with his customers. I also have their long woolen stockings, which I wear on a daily basis in the winter to help keep my legs warm. 🙂
Thank you for that lovely compliment! I have what I call a historical face, one that I see looking back at me from many statues and paintings across time. And actually the UA-cam algorithm agrees with you, because one of the top Search terms that brings people to this video is in fact la giaconda. 😅😊❤
Would honor be translated to reputation? It certainly seems that a man's, woman's, family's reputation was as equally important as wealth, position, and rank.
Reputation is certainly part of the meaning of "onore", but also integrity and moral fortitude (Florence being very much driven by commerce and contractual agreements). Certainly not a Victorian understanding of "chivalric" honor, though, as you gathered. :)
Hello! I would like to ask about the embroidery on the sleeve and it's meaning. You mentioned it represents someone belongs to a house and i would like to know more. I found a few pictures wit assimetrical decoration (embroidery and bead embroidery, but not any specific) it would be really helpful for me as a reenactor! Thank you!
Thank you for that great question! Here is one example of a portrait depicting a heraldic connection to the sitter's house, although there is some debate as the specific identity of this lady and the House to which the embroidery on her gown refers (in fact, the embroidery may refer to the combination of two different houses, perhaps her own house, plus that of her husband's family/the family's patron, etc.): en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portrait_of_a_Lady_in_Yellow#/media/File:Alesso_Baldovinetti_002.jpg
As for the documentary evidence, in general it is to be found in the descriptions of balls and festivals, which often detail the clothing the attendees were wearing and make reference to the various heraldic embroideries; the ricordanze and household accounts also often contain the orders and details of such embroideries. Wedding trousseaux are also a good place to look. I have not yet found it listed in inventories (because they do not necessarily delve into that level of detail, i.e. describing the design of the embroidery on items of clothing), but I will have to look through Lorenzo de'Medici's palace inventory and see if I note anything more specific. In any case, it will take me a day or two to wrestle up specific references for you. :-)
Another book you should maybe try to get through interlibrary loan is this one: www.biblio.com/renaissance-dress-in-italy-by-herald-jacqueline/work/1905138 . It contains extensive sections discussing how (heraldic) embroidery was used on ladies' sleeves (and often just one sleeve) in the quattrocento, along with a very valuable works cited section for further self-research! (I have obtained many of the books in the works cited).
I thought high class ladies had to have the hair covered especially if married . Even if its a token of a thin veil pined at the back of the head . And a cloak of some description. . Xxx
In fact you are correct, at least partially, and specifically for Florence (because other polities had other cultures and practices in this regard, which evolved rapidly as the 15th century wore on). Married Florentine ladies (regardless of class) did in fact wear some sort of veil when being seen in a public setting. In the privacy of the home, though, there is evidence that they may have left their hair just coifed, and even at some specific public festivities depending on the occasion (towards the latter 15th century, specifically the era of this ensemble. In general, this particular representaiton in the video is certainly that of an unmarried lady (with the hair down in the back and the rete). And the cloak you are referring to is a mantello; whether to wear one of those depends on the nature of the public appearance. If attending a ball, for instance, then no. If paying a call, then probably yes while out in the streets. Great comment, thank you!
Thank you for that really excellent question! In florence, which in this period was a republic, there were technically no More Aristocrats living in the city. Everyone was a citizen, as it were. That being said, there were still socioeconomic differences of course and the patricians of the city absolutely had servants to carry things for them and to run errands. From the evidence we have it seems that upper class ladies rarely went out into the city with the exception of mass, special ceremonial occasions and public festivals the lady I am portraying here would have lived such a life. It is likely she would have carried an alms purse herself so that when for instance she went to Mass she could distribute alms to the poor.
As to the question of how purses would have been worn in Florence in the 15th century, I have not personally seen any Visual Evidence of whether ladies wore a purse on the belts that were fashionable throughout the 15th century. Those portraits never show ladies wearing pouches because that is not the purpose of those kinds of portraits. there might be an Italian belt in the VA that has a purse hanger on it, but there's no way to know whether that was a man's belt or a woman's belt because there weren't really visual distinctions between them in this era and in that particular kind of belt.
@@saradecapua3264 In fairness, there are simpler lacing options that I have included in previous gamurre - but I wanted this particular look for this gown! Perhaps I shall do a video on the various options... :-)
Your dress is beautyful but your hair near the face is messy. It doesn't look like a renaissance hairstyle. Look at the pictures and statues and you'll see the difference. The hair near the face is combed neatly, the curls are neat, they are either short or pinned back.
Thank you for your comment and interest, which have prompted me to yet again pour over hundreds of quattrocento portraits, studies, frescoes, and statues. Having done so, I must respectfully disagree with your comment. :) While there are many paintings with facial fringe bordering on perfect, there are an equal number with fringe in varying lengths and state of "neatness/curliness". Aside from the fact that a formal portrait is a moment in time in which the subject is not moving (or being impacted by things like varying levels of humidity/wind, etc.), they also often portray an idealized version of the sitter, with everything, including clothing, absolutely perfect and orderly to reflect the ideal of "orderliness" in the Republic of Florence. However, as someone who has spent years wearing these clothes and coiffeurs for weeks on end, morning through night, in every sort of weather condition, engaging in every sort of real-life activity of a noblewoman from this era, I can attest to the fact that clothing and hair rarely conform to the portraits for very long, if even ever (unless one utilizes modern cheats like modern hair products - period hair gel made from linseed does not last very long, for instance, once one starts sweating from the exertion of period-appropriate dance). Even neat(er) rag curls eventually give up, at least for my hair type. The exception there might be utilizing a hair iron (which existed), but I will not do that damage to my hair for anything. Moreover, if one looks at the study sketches for these portraits, one often finds a reality that is at odds with that ideal portrayal, with facial fringe of varying lengths and levels of curliness. And of course, there are numerous portraits where the facial frame is more or less straight, more or less curly, more or less kempt, longer or shorter. I cannot post picture files here ( have a great sketch in my collection showing a woman with hair that looks almost exactly like mine in this video), but here are some links for your consideration. Thank you again for engaging - your support is appreciated! www.wga.hu/art/m/master/xunk_it/xunk_it3/y_study7.jpg www.wga.hu/art/g/ghirland/domenico/7panel/080portr.jpg www.wga.hu/art/g/ghirland/domenico/7panel/081portra.jpg www.wga.hu/art/m/mainardi/portrait.jpg www.wga.hu/art/v/verocchi/painting/head_g.jpg www.wga.hu/art/l/leonardo/07study2/5madonna.jpg
That all being said, the arid desert air where I live did cause my curled fringe to fall quite a bit, which is annoying and one of the reasons I cannot wait to move somewhere where the air is not broken (i.e. as dry as an airplane at 35,000 feet...)! :-D
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If you are enjoying my content, consider supporting my work via my Patreon page and benefit from a whole host of extra perks such as discounts on classes and workshops, exclusive content, private lessons, etc. :-D
www.patreon.com/thecreativecontessa.
Currently writing an immortal character born ~1458, in Naples. You mentioning both upper and lower class differences is very helpful.
Linen breathes beautifully! I will only wear all linen in the dead of summer. When wearing it, you feel like you are not wearing a thing. Wonderful!
Linen really is the best fabric! :-) in fact I have an entire modern wardrobe consisting of nothing but linen dresses, skirts, shirts and pants specifically aimed at hot and humid climes.
Love the notation of family crest or embroidery placement and also learned about the original purpose of platform shoes!
Having put those pianelle through their paces in Florence, Siena and Lucca, I can attest to that function first hand! (Have a video on that experience as well...😅)
Well earned pride and vanity!
That is very kind of you to say - I do enjoy pursuing certain cardinal sins! 😀
That moment you have a sword made of light in the background when doing medieval stuff is awesome.
I feel that a mystical sword forged of Divine light really fits with my brand! :-D
Magnificent!
As regards the observations of Lucrezia, I was reading Lauren Johnston's Shadow King biography of Henry VI of England. It seems he asked for pictures of potential French brides in their kirtles, which I'm assuming were the northern European version. Meat markets were sadly a fixture in the days before sexuality loosened up a bit!
I suspect the modern equivalent of a gamorra would be something like good quality pyjamas or 'loungewear'. As the equivalent of the contessa for our plague-ridden times, a nice suit of loungewear is good for the weekend. I've worn loose, new PJ trousers for my personal organiser to visit but wouldn't go out even to the corner shop in them. But there was a bit of a hoo-ha in the British press about women of leisure nipping out to a supermarket to get milk or run the children to school in...loungewear. So perhaps we do have a gamorra equivalent, although the mind boggles at the idea of little Prince George (son of Wills and Kate) being sent pictures of ladies in their pyjamas to show off their bodies. I think that's now something men do in secret...or from Ann Summers' catalogues.
Thank you for the compliment and for the idea of pyjamas/loungewear as the modern moral equivalent of the gamurra! Also, I appreciate the tip on the Henry VI bio and will be checking that out - I always feel badly for Henry VI because he should have been born a third son, allowed to retire from secular life entirely and pursue a devout life of peaceful contemplation and prayer in some remote monastic community. Kirtles are indeed the northern European equivalent of the gamurra (I have a closet full of them for my Franco-Burgundian ensembles from this same period) and reveal even more about a lady's figure than the gamurra!
A kirtle was an overdress it wasn't the chemise which is what she is wearing in the video but she is just saying what it was called in medieval italy. No wonder I understood it cause in spanish a undergarment like that is a camiseta or camisola.
Hint: If you play the video backwards, you can see a wonderful Renaissance lady slowly undressing ... 😉
So glad at least someone noticed! :D
😁
this is amazing!! thank you for sharing
Thank you for the compliment! Let me know if there is something you might like to see covered in a future video. :-)
You just have to love a ginger scene stealer.
He really is too loveable and he knows it! :-D
NICELY DONE!!!
Thank you so much! Compliment highly appreciated! :-)
A very well done informational and interesting video!
Thanks for sharing! I love this outfit!
I appreciate the compliment and hope the video entertained and/or inspired you! :-)
"It's disgusting out there, with 100% chance of animal feces."
And that's when I clicked 'subscribe', Your Honor.
You have made my morning - now I am laughing too! I had forgotten that comment of mine! Thank you for your support, and I hope you continue to enjoy my wry sense of humor. :-D
I love your hair.
Thank you! The 15th century Florentine style is one that suits me very well I think. 😊
Thank you for showing how to do a pony tail without elastic !
Indeed, this is how I do my hair, whether for ponytail or a braid. I haven't used hair elastics in years, and it's a good application for practice finger Loop braids. 😊
Have you seen my video on doing a 15th century bun using hair taping?
@@thecreativecontessa I might have , I don't rightly remember
Your narration is so informative and witty ! Can’t wait for more postings from you !
Thank you for commenting on for the compliment! I'm very pleased that you enjoy my particular style. While I work on the next several videos for posting, I hope that the rest of my already posted content keeps you engaged. 😃
What was your favorite thing to make when you assembled all the articles of clothing for this outfit?
I think the embroidery must my favorite part! So much so that I did a project video on it, here: ua-cam.com/video/1iU4hMp2Fu8/v-deo.html
So much just to get dressed :) Really interesting to watch!
hahaha! Most definitely - dressing takes about an hour in total, with hair! It is why, once attired in this style, I stay 1480s Florentine for the day! :-D
👍 - _also_ for the YT algo! 😊
If you have the time, can you please tell me how you made the coat of arms for your left sleeve? (Edit: Or possibly do a video for the masses showing/telling us?)
I'm about to make a similar gown for the first time and would love to do the same with my own device. I'm really not big on ornate additions, but that's so neat I'd like to do it for myself for the historical detail. :) Also, this video is what pushed me to finally buy the Margo Anderson patterns instead of trying to slap something together on my own. So I can hopefully look just as fashionably period as yourself!
First off, your praise and feedback have made my evening - I make these videos to inspire creativity and beauty - and to have more lovely Florentines floating about - so mission accomplished! :-D Regarding the embroidered sleeve detail - in a nutshell, I found a 15th century Italian version of a Fleur de Lys that I liked and rendered that in appropriate stitches on a linen ground, then appliqued it on. But, for more detail, I think you are right - a video shall be in order!
I have subscribed! Good content!
Thank you so much for commenting and subscribing! Pleased you are enjoying my work! 😊
Such a throrough and pleasant video. The music adds to the immersiveness. Also that piece of furniture on the right in the first shot is INSANE ! What is it called ?
Thank you so much for watching and for the compliments! As for your question, that item is sometimes called a sideboard. It's a Neo Gothic version, so it's a bit taller than the original 15th century versions would have been, but I was extremely pleased to find the piece in any case! :-)
@@thecreativecontessa thanks !
Holy horse hockey, you resemble a reincarnated of Mona Lisa. You have a twin !!😊😊 not many people can say they resemble a famous historical person. 🤔🤔🤔
Aw, thank you! Actually, according to the video analytics, one of the top search terms that brings people to this video is apparently "Mona Lisa". So apparently UA-cam agrees with you! 😅
Love both your outfits! Who made your condottiero's ring?
Thank you so much for the compliment! We purchased that ring from a very fine jewelry in Canada. We have many of his replica pieces and can recommend his work: www.medievalwares.com/
the first thong.
those shoes 😭
Ah, the pianelle! I actually have a video documenting my experience wearing them in Florence for a whole day. 😊
ua-cam.com/video/PtL-YOOx21A/v-deo.html
@@thecreativecontessa do you have links to guides for sewing ghillies for scottish highland dancing 🙏
Take a good look in the mirror you resemble La Ghiaconda, (Lady Mona Lisa)....!!!!!!! I think that's a pretty hot dress too, straight out of Zefferelli's Romeo & Juliet ! 😍
Considering they had to pin their period cloth somewhere, it would make sense for women to have some sort of underwear
I agree! Some people, though, propose that women just freely bled into their white linen under shirts. Or that women only were a special kind of garment during their menses. Or that adult women didn't actually have much in the way of menses because they either spent the time pregnant or nursing and therefore not menstruating. But I've read some pretty convincing arguments against this latter contention.
Abby Cox has made a video about period aprons, although for a later time period
I really wish I could wear this many layers! Even two layers of linen is too much for me =*(
I am really sorry to hear that! How closed are the necklines on the garments you have tried wearing? I find that it makes a massive difference whether my neckline is high or low (these are low). Have you tried any evaporative cooling methods, such as wetting your smock/camicia before putting it on? Wearing a wet linen coif/veil?
@@thecreativecontessa I have only worn Viking garb for my events, with a simple linen dress and apron. That is about the most I can handle. Necklines are not tight, and it's got gores to the bust (not accurate) so I have all the moving space I can get.
My issue is that I have MS, and my body doesn't regulate heat well as one of my symptoms. I would genuinely enjoy events in ten degree weather outside =P
I have considered 'faking' the layers to limit how many I'm wearing, but even that isn't really going to look right. I have several cooling devices but they do only go so far.
As much as I want to embroider the snot out of these fancy gowns, I may be a peasant in cast off linen forever ;)
@@czerniana Ah, I understand! I have several friends who suffer from MS with similar symptoms....So maybe moving to the Arctic Circle would be a good choice for you? 😀Given your circumstances, I definitely recommend faking the three layers, and there are techniques that would create a garment that would pass the ten foot rule if well executed (fake camicia poofs and neckline; false underskirt panel, etc.). And the lower neckline of the Florentine fashion might be a boon for you.
@@czerniana And the purists will probably crucify me for suggesting such a compromise, but I care not a jot!
@@thecreativecontessa Arctic Circle, Northern Canada, somewhere high up in the alps, a tent on an iceberg…. You know, those places =P. Sleeve poofs and underskirt panels are easy enough to fake. It’s just a matter of me sitting down and figuring it out honestly, and I’m a far better embroiderer than I am seamstress. One day! Till then I just live vicariously through normies like you ;)
Cat is sooo cute. Did you see the Medici exhibit at Met? What is the difference between the gowns designed by Danilo Donati for Romeo and Juliet?
I sadly did not see the exhibit at the Met as I was out of the country for large chunks of that time. Let me check out the designs and get back to you on the differences! 😊
@@thecreativecontessa thanks and Abby Cox has a vlog on the exhibit I think.
So it seems that Julieta's ensemble is based on a combination of 1490s Milanese and Venetian fashion. The other women seem to be dressed in clothing that predates hers by 50-60 years. My ensemble is Florentine 1480s, which means it is much less ornate because Florence was a Republic in this era that ostensibly valued modesty. 😅
@@thecreativecontessa thank you very much
Thank you for posting. Where could I purchase the socks and stockings?
Thank you for commenting! I purchase my stockings from Hero's Haven. They do go to some of the major SCA wars, like Pennsic, but you can order online: socksamerica.com/ What I like about them is that it is a family-owned business whose mills are all located in the US. Also, the owner actually goes and vends
at events, so he has a connection with his customers. I also have their long woolen stockings, which I wear on a daily basis in the winter to help keep my legs warm. 🙂
Strange that you resemble "La Giaconda".............. Signora Lisa as in Mona, Beautiful Renaissance gown.
Thank you for that lovely compliment! I have what I call a historical face, one that I see looking back at me from many statues and paintings across time. And actually the UA-cam algorithm agrees with you, because one of the top Search terms that brings people to this video is in fact la giaconda. 😅😊❤
Would honor be translated to reputation? It certainly seems that a man's, woman's, family's reputation was as equally important as wealth, position, and rank.
Reputation is certainly part of the meaning of "onore", but also integrity and moral fortitude (Florence being very much driven by commerce and contractual agreements). Certainly not a Victorian understanding of "chivalric" honor, though, as you gathered. :)
Hello!
I would like to ask about the embroidery on the sleeve and it's meaning. You mentioned it represents someone belongs to a house and i would like to know more. I found a few pictures wit assimetrical decoration (embroidery and bead embroidery, but not any specific) it would be really helpful for me as a reenactor!
Thank you!
Thank you for that great question! Here is one example of a portrait depicting a heraldic connection to the sitter's house, although there is some debate as the specific identity of this lady and the House to which the embroidery on her gown refers (in fact, the embroidery may refer to the combination of two different houses, perhaps her own house, plus that of her husband's family/the family's patron, etc.): en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portrait_of_a_Lady_in_Yellow#/media/File:Alesso_Baldovinetti_002.jpg
As for the documentary evidence, in general it is to be found in the descriptions of balls and festivals, which often detail the clothing the attendees were wearing and make reference to the various heraldic embroideries; the ricordanze and household accounts also often contain the orders and details of such embroideries. Wedding trousseaux are also a good place to look. I have not yet found it listed in inventories (because they do not necessarily delve into that level of detail, i.e. describing the design of the embroidery on items of clothing), but I will have to look through Lorenzo de'Medici's palace inventory and see if I note anything more specific. In any case, it will take me a day or two to wrestle up specific references for you. :-)
Another book you should maybe try to get through interlibrary loan is this one: www.biblio.com/renaissance-dress-in-italy-by-herald-jacqueline/work/1905138 . It contains extensive sections discussing how (heraldic) embroidery was used on ladies' sleeves (and often just one sleeve) in the quattrocento, along with a very valuable works cited section for further self-research! (I have obtained many of the books in the works cited).
What was 'DOE WOOL' ? A pelt?
Doeskin wool is an amazing weave of wool that creates a lustrous, super smooth final product. :-)
I thought high class ladies had to have the hair covered especially if married . Even if its a token of a thin veil pined at the back of the head . And a cloak of some description. . Xxx
In fact you are correct, at least partially, and specifically for Florence (because other polities had other cultures and practices in this regard, which evolved rapidly as the 15th century wore on). Married Florentine ladies (regardless of class) did in fact wear some sort of veil when being seen in a public setting. In the privacy of the home, though, there is evidence that they may have left their hair just coifed, and even at some specific public festivities depending on the occasion (towards the latter 15th century, specifically the era of this ensemble. In general, this particular representaiton in the video is certainly that of an unmarried lady (with the hair down in the back and the rete). And the cloak you are referring to is a mantello; whether to wear one of those depends on the nature of the public appearance. If attending a ball, for instance, then no. If paying a call, then probably yes while out in the streets. Great comment, thank you!
In fact, this inspires me to do a "Lies" video on this video to clarify this along with a couple of other points. Thank you!
Question - would their ladies in waiting have carried things for them? or do we have examples of how they would have worn purses?
Thank you for that really excellent question! In florence, which in this period was a republic, there were technically no More Aristocrats living in the city. Everyone was a citizen, as it were. That being said, there were still socioeconomic differences of course and the patricians of the city absolutely had servants to carry things for them and to run errands. From the evidence we have it seems that upper class ladies rarely went out into the city with the exception of mass, special ceremonial occasions and public festivals the lady I am portraying here would have lived such a life. It is likely she would have carried an alms purse herself so that when for instance she went to Mass she could distribute alms to the poor.
As to the question of how purses would have been worn in Florence in the 15th century, I have not personally seen any Visual Evidence of whether ladies wore a purse on the belts that were fashionable throughout the 15th century. Those portraits never show ladies wearing pouches because that is not the purpose of those kinds of portraits. there might be an Italian belt in the VA that has a purse hanger on it, but there's no way to know whether that was a man's belt or a woman's belt because there weren't really visual distinctions between them in this era and in that particular kind of belt.
It appears that an engineering degree would help in lacing up the gown.
(It was nearly required to (re)create the lacing system as well! :-D
@@thecreativecontessa Such a beautiful look but there is no way I would be able to lace the dress.
@@saradecapua3264 In fairness, there are simpler lacing options that I have included in previous gamurre - but I wanted this particular look for this gown! Perhaps I shall do a video on the various options... :-)
I believe people didn't had under garments. Perhaps there was something for women with their period.
People including men? Also, have you seen my two-part series on the topic of women and underwear in the middle ages? :)
Your dress is beautyful but your hair near the face is messy. It doesn't look like a renaissance hairstyle. Look at the pictures and statues and you'll see the difference. The hair near the face is combed neatly, the curls are neat, they are either short or pinned back.
Thank you for your comment and interest, which have prompted me to yet again pour over hundreds of quattrocento portraits, studies, frescoes, and statues. Having done so, I must respectfully disagree with your comment. :) While there are many paintings with facial fringe bordering on perfect, there are an equal number with fringe in varying lengths and state of "neatness/curliness". Aside from the fact that a formal portrait is a moment in time in which the subject is not moving (or being impacted by things like varying levels of humidity/wind, etc.), they also often portray an idealized version of the sitter, with everything, including clothing, absolutely perfect and orderly to reflect the ideal of "orderliness" in the Republic of Florence. However, as someone who has spent years wearing these clothes and coiffeurs for weeks on end, morning through night, in every sort of weather condition, engaging in every sort of real-life activity of a noblewoman from this era, I can attest to the fact that clothing and hair rarely conform to the portraits for very long, if even ever (unless one utilizes modern cheats like modern hair products - period hair gel made from linseed does not last very long, for instance, once one starts sweating from the exertion of period-appropriate dance). Even neat(er) rag curls eventually give up, at least for my hair type. The exception there might be utilizing a hair iron (which existed), but I will not do that damage to my hair for anything. Moreover, if one looks at the study sketches for these portraits, one often finds a reality that is at odds with that ideal portrayal, with facial fringe of varying lengths and levels of curliness. And of course, there are numerous portraits where the facial frame is more or less straight, more or less curly, more or less kempt, longer or shorter. I cannot post picture files here ( have a great sketch in my collection showing a woman with hair that looks almost exactly like mine in this video), but here are some links for your consideration. Thank you again for engaging - your support is appreciated!
www.wga.hu/art/m/master/xunk_it/xunk_it3/y_study7.jpg
www.wga.hu/art/g/ghirland/domenico/7panel/080portr.jpg
www.wga.hu/art/g/ghirland/domenico/7panel/081portra.jpg
www.wga.hu/art/m/mainardi/portrait.jpg
www.wga.hu/art/v/verocchi/painting/head_g.jpg
www.wga.hu/art/l/leonardo/07study2/5madonna.jpg
That all being said, the arid desert air where I live did cause my curled fringe to fall quite a bit, which is annoying and one of the reasons I cannot wait to move somewhere where the air is not broken (i.e. as dry as an airplane at 35,000 feet...)! :-D
@@thecreativecontessa Ahh, but then the alternative will be looking like a French Poodle from the humidity. ;)
@@cvvzdesigns Well, yes, but a fashionable one! :-D