Printed Matters

acq.jpg

AcqI do believe this is my first post about Aquascutum but I am only posting about the one item which had got me savouring for more.  One trench printed with what looks to be a 19th century Imperial British photograph in the AW08-9 collection is simply not enough.  I would have definitely preferred more.

Now it has instilled the idea of more taking old lithographs, etchings and in particular 18th century illustrations and transplating them onto a robost background such as a cream trench, a coat that could take on the print and be worn without looking like too much of a novelty item.  This isn’t a trend as such but an isolated one-off that I probably wouldn’t see replicated on the cheap so I guess this post is just a product of my over-imagination.   

After scouring the Museum of London’s picture library, it would be simple to go with a stately view, say of Hanover Square in 1714…Hanover

Or it would be funnier to go with these caricatures of 18th century fashion sending up the excess and exaggerated shapes of the day…

Taking the piss out of the shapless gowns of the late 18th century in 1795 // A lady stepping over the dirty streets to avoid messing up her elaborate confection of a dress in 1700

18p1 18p2

Or perhaps the comical value of the tall hair arrangements…

‘A Hint to the Ladies to take Care of their Heads’, 1770s // A seated lady getting her hair curled in 1770 

18p3 18p4

16 comments

  1. I think this is an absolutely brilliant idea. I would like one with this wood cut of Alice:
    http://tinyurl.com/27c8hd
    Although Gustav Durer’s Adam and Eve would also be good. Isn’t it about time you started consulting on these matters? (If you already do I apologize.)

  2. I love those tall hair pieces they wore, it was like the hair extensions of the time I guess

  3. I concur on Thom’s question!
    I hold a special place in my heart for Aquascutum, their campaigns are particularly enjoyable.

  4. I like the idea, but you’d have to be exceptionally careful with the simplicity of the piece for it to work. That coat is just barely avoiding being kitschy in my opinion.

  5. Yes! Lithographs from 18th and 19th century London would look fabulous. Or what about earlier maps by the likes of Hollar? Great pic research, too. Hope you’re feeling better. xx

  6. oh man, i wish somebody would make some cool printed tshirts or something from those carticatures and prints!!! I’m looking for a good vintage tshirt at the moment you see…

  8. Ahhhhhh that coat is amazing.
    It looks vaguely like this crazy idea I had for ‘The Importance of Being Earnest’ in my costume design class. It didn’t fly too well with my teacher.

  9. For some reason I feel like I’d be partial to a map print, one of those really old maps with little rivers and hamlets drawn in.

  10. ^ That was me,but I just thought too that it would be cool to have actual documents printed, then again I have a bit of an obsession with clothes printed with cursive.

  12. this sort of reminds me of the way libertine silkscreens prints onto unexpected garments. What a pretty & unique concept. you might have to eat your words if the idea gets knocked off by H&M/Forever 21! 😀
    xoxo

Comments are closed.