‘We can see our own selves in this clothing of the past.’
From the ‘little white dress’ in every woman’s wardrobe to voluminous sleeves, bold necklines and romantic plaids and tartans, fashion of the long Regency era (1795-1820s) was as daring as it was demure. It also mirrored rapidly changing times as much as it did changing tastes. US-based fashion historian and author Hilary Davidson invites us into a Regency wardrobe, beloved and brought to life through popular shows like Bridgerton and the books and adaptations of Jane Austen, to learn more about this fascinating and innovative period in dress and social history.
Taking a close look at works from the remarkable NGV Collection of Regency art and fashion, we discover how every hemline, textile choice, stitch and subtle variations of silhouette reveal clues about the forces that shaped the Regency period.
This video has been produced as part of Observations, an annual program which invites close examination of works and periods of art and design history in the NGV Collection, unlocking stories of society, culture and creativity through the eyes of international researchers, curators, and writers.
Observations is generously supported by an anonymous donor.