I think I got all inspired by Nathan's post of the picture of the "Young Jesters Mask" - thingy.! I really love looking at arms and armour that are unusual. So here are some more unusual items.............the big steel "Sailors "cap is based on a hat that was popular in Italy and undoubtly other places. Like the many harnesses that were exported, it look like the Italians have been setting the fashions long before Gucci and Armani were big !
The steel gowns are from the Graz Armoury and I suspect, just between you and I, that they were probably an Armourers "Promotion" or else they were showcase projects for the apprentice armourers.
Please add any of the wacky or unusual as you all see fit !

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I confess I love those gowns! Though they are a little impractical for walking the kids to school or parent-teacher conferences. :lol:

The gowns are modern and not even metal, IIRC. A genuine early 16th c. foot armour with tonlet isn't too far removed, however.

Folks,

Anyone seriously interested in the relation between fashion and arms -- and there is a very good reason to explore this relationship -- is recommended two things:

1. Visit the exhibit "Love and War: The Weaponized Woman" now showing at the Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology, New York. I was privileged to give a lecture at the opening symposium earlier this month.

http://fitnyc.edu/museum

2. My lecture will be published as an article in the December issue of Fashion Theory (v10, n4-- get it!
"Dressed to Kill: Toward a Theory of Fashion in Arms and Armor"

Thanks Merv! I think the website it back up now; here's a more specific link to the "Love and War" exhibit:
http://www3.fitnyc.edu/museum/loveandwar/default.htm

The two most impressive pieces on display -- from Christian Dior's summer show -- aren't online because they only arrived the night before the opening. But I'll prepare a review for myArmoury within the month, with photos of them and other notable designs. Also included were several pieces of real armor on loan from the Higgins.

The website for Fashion Theory is here, and they'll be able to get us copies (I need one for myself!)!). The current issue is 10.3 but 10.4 should be available soon:
http://www.bergpublishers.co.uk/uk/fashion/fashion_about.htm


Dr. Valerie Steele -- world's greatest fashion critic! -- is both the journal's editor and director of the FIT Museum, and I'm very encouraged by her openness to exploring the connection between fashion and armor/sex and violence. I'm hoping others will use the general principles outlined in my article to do more detailed studies in particular areas of interest -- and then sumbit those studies as well to Fashion Theory for publication.

We could help bring armor back into style in the 2000s! :cool:

Ruel, I'm sorry I missed your lecture. I was there for the opening, though!

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As I recall, the Wallace Collection catalogs have a photo of a German suit of armor done in imitation of the "puffed and slashed" Landsknecht clothing. Pretty darn ugly it was, and very robotic looking. Anyone got the catalogs handy to scan a photo?

--ElJay

Now I better understand the English "burning love" for Joan of Arc :D