Creative Design: Undergraduate

The Romantic Era to Now: A Mosaic of the Feminine Vestige

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Abstract

A Mosaic of the Feminine Vestige: From the Romantic Era to Now is a wearable art piece that explores the evolution of women’s fashion in Western society by merging historical silhouettes, textures, and techniques into a single cohesive garment. Drawing from the Romantic, Edwardian, and New Look eras, the ensemble uses design as cultural commentary, referencing fashion as both artifact and tool for social expression. Key features include multi-style sleeves inspired by the 1830s, a structured peplum referencing Dior’s 1950s hourglass silhouette, and godets that honor early 20th-century skirt shapes. Jacquard fabric and corset-inspired lacing integrate historical texture and closure techniques. Constructed from over 80 pattern pieces using both hand and machine sewing, the ensemble blends tradition with innovation. The piece celebrates shifting gender roles and sartorial agency, proposing fashion as a mosaic of identity, memory, and liberation—where each stitch threads together the past and present of feminine expression.

Keywords: Romantic Period, 1950s, Silhouette, Edwardian Period

How to Cite:

Bushong, E. & Gam, H., (2025) “The Romantic Era to Now: A Mosaic of the Feminine Vestige”, International Textile and Apparel Association Annual Conference Proceedings 82(1). doi: https://doi.org/10.31274/itaa.21934