COSTUME JOURNAL Vol. 41, #1 BUMPER ISSUE!
The first 2011 issue of Costume Journal was delivered to members of the Costume Society of Ontario early in May. Anyone interested in current events, exhibitions and resources dealing with the wide spectrum of aspects of the field of costume will find this a persuasive reason to join the CSO! Illustrations, colour and black & white, liven outside and inside covers and many of the forty inside pages.
One article gives us a satisfying revelation of features of Palestinian and Jordanian dress with a close look at textiles and jewelry at the Jordan Museum of Popular Tradition. The author, Leslie Montgomery, passes on a rich taste of the regional distinctions, especially in the style and stitching of embroidery. The Jordan Craft Development Centre in the capital city Amman was also a revelation, and Leslie cites contacts and publications for additional information.
Four outstanding reviews liven this issue:
the CSO Symposium on “Eternal Style: Fashion and Decorative Arts in Ancient Egypt and Their Influence Into Modern Times” fully reviewed by Ruth-Carroll;
a presentation on “Balenciaga: Spanish Master” at the Queen Sophia Spanish Institute, NYC, given by Dale Peers;
“Rodarte: States of Matter” shows pieces from the creations of Kate and Laura Mulleavy of the Rodarte label at the Museum of Contemporary Art, Pacific Design Centre, West Hollywood (until 5 June), review by Ingrid Mida;
“Fashioning Fashion: European Dress in Detail, 1700–1915,” Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Resnick Pavilion, review by Dale Peers.
In a continuing series of Profiles of CSO members Tammy Cowan, one of the Executive Resource Committee members, is featured. Several of Tammy’s reproductions are shown, worn for costumed events or replicas created for dolls.
Besides the usual listing of current Resources, there are two Book Reviews:
Twentieth-Century Fashion in Detail, authors Claire Wilcox & Valerie Mendes, V&A Publishing, London, 2009, review by Sarah Walker;
A very full review of Patterns of Fashion 4: The Cut and Construction of Linen Shirts, Smocks, Neckwear, Headwear and Accessories for Men and Women c. 1540–1660, by Janet Arnold (with additional material by Jenny Tiramani and Santina M. Levey). After her review Elizabeth des Roches also records a “quick chat” with Jenny Tiramani about Janet Arnold.
If such a publication doesn’t suggest a highly worthwhile bonus of membership in the CSO, the Membership Directory, sent out early summer, should further be of help and interest, providing details on our members’ skills/interests in the wide range of fields covered by “interest in costume.”
Send in a membership application to receive all of the 2011 Publications, including NEWS sheets every few months and the second Costume Journal in the Fall.