On Tuesday, March 14, there was a Media Preview for the new Museum of Vancouver exhibit from the collections of Ivan Sayers #ivansayers, Claus Jahnke, Melanie Talkington and SMOC. Artist and Guest Blogger, Sandi Bassett was welcomed to the museum and to the preview, by Jasmine and then, Melanie Talkington led Sandi through a history of Women's Fashions 1750-2000. Sandi is a relative newcomer to B.C. and to Vancouver, so she was impressed with the beautiful setting of the museum and with the welcome and individualized tour. Where else would this happen? Where else would one be able to meet the Collectors/Fashion Historians and hear some of the stories that went into locating or being gifted/given the pieces, thrifting, trading, going to sales, repairing, and in Melanie's case, creating, crafting, modelling and setting up her own museum.
Sandi was impressed with the vintage silver corset, made for a customer who, at 89 years old, has the smallest waist and keeps it that way by wearing a corset every day. Her story is right alongside the corset, in the exhibit. Sandi says that it is the stories told by the Collectors during the tour, that she wishes were recorded, as they tell why and how each piece was acquired, its age and place in the history of the times. A Venetian corset, is not only old but extremely rare and how did it get here from so far away. Another corset was made on a corset loom and has no seams. A corset collection shows local and world wide creations, the sewing techniques and the advancing technology that produced them more quickly and more profitably. Hand made or machine made, which one is your preference? Come and have a look at the exhibit, on now until Nov. 2023 and visit Melanie Talkington's antique corset museum at 219 E. 16th Ave at Main. Custom Corset Fittings.
The platform shoes, (Sandi and I have worn them) and the heeless shoes are fascinating. Did you know that originally, some platform shoes had cork soles and were designed for beach wear, to protect the foot from sand and water. Platforms go far back in history and are back on the runways, now.
A blue cape, left at a drycleaning shop, was given to Ivan Sayers, as he is well known in Vancouver, for his vast collection of clothing (1750 -2000, approximately....he has more than enough to fill an entire encyclopaedia with photos and historic details, all of which he can access and share, which he does through his teaching, ongoing consultations, fashion shows and monthly events at SMOC.) The cape belonged to a Drag Troupe Group, in the early days of Vancouver. Who knew?
As an Artist, Sandi knows a lot about the history of Art and now, thanks to this exhibit at the Museum of Vancouver, says that she can see how fashion evolves and is recreated, upcycled, recycled. The old, presented in new ways. We wear our history.
Sandi shares some of her favourite photos. The Museum has many more, each piece taken in the best light and out of its display case. So, you should have a look and then, get a group and enjoy the exhibit together and share your stories and favourites on social media. Everyone should see this! Better yet, arrange for your own tour. Have a work meeting at the museum and team up to see this one. Lots to talk about!
Thanks Sandi, for sharing your Media Tour and visit with us. By visiting the museum and sharing your stories, you help the Collectors and SMOC with achieving the goal of building Vancouver's Costume Museum. When I travel, I visit Costume Museums. We need one.
Photo by Sandi Bassett Heels or not
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