A revelation

[frualeydis]

I just realized why I feel more and more drawn to Nordmark (SCA principality that covers Sweden). It is not that my original society, Nordrike, isn't good anymore or anything like that. It's that I need the company of fellow costume fanatics. Although there is a high material standard in Nordrike, many have good re-enactment group standard, especially those who do late 15th century, there aren't any people who are interested in costume the way I am. People make good clothes so they can wear them while they do other things they're passionate about, be it period sword fighting or crafts, or even partying. But they're not passionate about costume. They can be good and meticulous researchers for their specific period, but the costuming is a means, not an end. And they don't have a broader interest in costuming or dress history.
Outside my local group there was two women who shared this passion for costume and who I talked a lot to before, but Caroline is very ill and Julia has left our society to do late 14th century re-enactment with this group. (BTW, seeing this guy in armour or period clothing, still makes my heart flutter, 8 years after I first met him. I'm not in love or anything like that, I just think he looks so good in his gear. There are lots of pictures of him and other people under "Bilder".)
There were others too, but they were not as interested and have narrowed their scope to only one period and place and are not interested in anything outside this period.
So I need new costuming buddies. They don't have to do more than one period, just be interested in learning more and have an open mind about other people's interpretations. And to still be curious about costume, I hate this feeling of "I know everything I need to know" that I feel among many people in Nordrike. I want to be able to discuss sources, construction theories and practical tips with other costumers.

And yes, I should be working.

Comments

[myladyswardrobe.livejournal.com]

I know how you feel - sadly I don't have anyone near me in Suffolk/England who I can discuss costume with like the way I can online. Though peronel is VERY good for costume discussion but her specialism is lower class and not gentry.

Those in KW tend to be "well, *I* found this out so its right" and aren't really interested in discussing pros/cons/historical bias etc (think the gentry only wears wool argument).

So, I've really given up on finding people near me and I simply stick to online people - like you!

Looking forward to you coming over next week. Edmund and I thought about everyone going to The Swan for evening meal (nice pub near Kentwell).

[frualeydis.livejournal.com]

Sounds really nice, if they don't mind one year old girls being there.
I look forward to it too. Much.

Eva

[myladyswardrobe.livejournal.com]

No problem with Maja coming. Pubs in England are very child friendly and this one certainly is.

[isiswardrobe.livejournal.com]

I'm lucky to have several people I can talk clothes and costume history with, but I know what you mean. Imsgine, there really are people who aren't interesting in clothes. ;-)

[guyelfkin.livejournal.com]

It's actually similar to the state of the costuming community in the UK.

THere are many many people who do costume as a means to and end for various groups and societies, but very few of them are interested in costume generally, costume outside their specific focus of interest (a specific period or group usually) or in costume for the sake of costume rather than to enable them to take part in that group's activities.

As a result , generic costuming groups like Costume Guild UK, and costume events, such as Wardrobe - the UK Costume Convention have trouble attracting members and the events are underattended.

In the US, the population is so much bigger that the smallproportion interested enough in costume to join such groups, attend such events is big enough to keep the ggroup running and make it worth holding the events, over here we struggle to do both.

Teddy

[pinque.livejournal.com]

Same here. It tends to be in small groups as a side issue. Like the SCA or cosplay. I find the cosplay groups here to be the least open to other ideas actually, and seem to not realise that the term simply means costumed play which has been happening around the world lobe before the term came to be known only for the japanese cartoon/comic book costumes.

There are no places to celebrate costume in all its forms.

[guyelfkin.livejournal.com]

Sometimes it can be a lnely existence as a costumer interested in a range of costuming....

which is why it's nice we can at least commiunicate with others electronically.

Teddy

[guyelfkin.livejournal.com]

{gack!} Typos

LONELY!!! I meant to type lonely...{sigh!}

Teddy

[myralea.livejournal.com]

i so understand that!! costuming has been the only thing that ever draw me into the historic societies and reenactment world... i'm not a person interested in society politics and definately to shy and introvert to be a party girl. so i've usually stuck to myself and my costumes.
sadly for the past years i've had no one around me to discuss costuming with and i've missed it so very much! ever since 1997/1998 that is....

unfortunately limited time has for the past years kept me from really indulging myself into costuming. that's why i decided to try to focus on one region and period for a while. but after sometime life interupted and most things have been put on hold. (also got a little bit bored and tempted to sidestep away into other times and periods ;)

however my plan for this autumn is NOT to work as much and i use to and not to have loads of extra curriculum studies on the side. i'm just going to work, knit, sew and take ballet classes. enjoy myself that is :)

/m -who really admire everyone (and you more than anyone else) who manages to find time for all the costuming one wants to do. i wish i could do better on this.