Our Favorite Links

Our Favorite Renaissance, Costume and Research Links

Resources and Research

Please feel free to send us links you think might be useful to students of Venetian Costume, Courtesans, History etc. We've started to compile links we think would be useful to those studying Venetian Courtesans and the times they lived in. We've tried to fit as much information in the limited amount of space we get as we could.

Above is an image of an Italian Working Class gown made by Jennifer Thompson, a very talented costume designer with a Masters Degree in Fine Arts with an emphasis in printmaking, book arts, drawing, and painting. Like Jwlhyfer, Jennifer started in Fine Arts and applied this to costume design. She is now a resourceful and creative costumer and researcher. Her web site has a wealth of information on Renaissance costume. Her portraits are charming and her Dress Diaries informative.

A Festive Attyre

Italian Working Class Women's Clothing as well as other beautiful recreations, an excellent site by Jennifer Thompson's called Festive Attyre. Notes on style and Construction of a gown based on the attire of Lombard market-women portrayed in the paintings of Vincenzo Campi during the 1580's. A simple, easy gown..just one of the many projects Jennifer has completed. An amazing resource.

Italian Renaissance Gown Construction

Italian Renaissance Gown Construction by Mistress Leona Khadine d'Este and Mistress Enid d'Auliere . Step by step instructions for Italian Renaissance gowns that represent the period from approximately 1470 to 1540.

The Sempstress' Italian Courtesan Gown

The Semptress has constructed a pretty yellow Venetian influenced Courtesan Gown. She has a Dress Diary and some pictures of the dress. Simple in construction (except for the sleeves, which are beautiful) this front lacing dress was a common look in Venice.

How to make an easy Italian Chemise (Camicia)

Step by step easy instructions for the ever important undergarment of the courtesan, the Chemise (Camicia.) This was what Jwlhyfer used for her Camicia, which you can see under her corset here:

http://f1.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/julianwhitaker/detail?.dir=/89b1&.dnm=3f94.jpg

This is a sexy, all purpose undergarment, which can be as plain or dressed up as you like, depending on embellishments or materials.

The Realm of Venus, the best site for Venetian Renaissance Costume and Accessories

The Realm of Venus is the most complete and comprehensive web site devoted to Italian Renaissance Costume. Here you will find articles on underpinnings, accessories, and main costume pieces for women of the Italian Renaissance. There is an incredible portrait gallery as well, which is an lovely reference source. Images not seen elsewhere. Also the Italian Showcase, which showcases a different Italian Renaissance gown every month. Seresina was featured in November of 2003. Angelica was featured in 2005.

The Civilization of the Renaissance in Italy: Costumes and Fashions

The Civilization of the Renaissance in Italy by Jacob Burckhardt translated by S.G.C. Middlemore, 1878, Part Five, Costumes and Fashions

The Golden Rose Award 2003

Last year Jwlhyfer had the honor to be awarded the Golden Rose Award by The Realm of Venus web site. You can find a detailed step by step account of the making of Seresina's gown here. Thank you to Bella for a lovely write up.

The Greater Bay Area Costumer's Guild: This comprehensive web site has articles and links on costume from many periods. The "Great Pattern Review" is a valuable resource when deciding whether you want to spend money on that special historical pattern. Jwlhyfer is one of the founders of this chapter of the International Costumer's Guild.
Julie Zetterberg's Costume Resource Web Site: Wonderful research links to museums and online resources. while not updated frequently the information is very useful and most of the links should be still active.
The Costumer's Manefesto: One of the most comprehensive websites on costume resources on the web. Links to just about anything having to do with "making clothes for imaginary people."
Jwlhyfer in "Featured Attyre": This was the second serious costume Jwlhyfer ever made and her first Costume Con www.costume-con.org entry. She won Best in Class; Individual Novice. She has since gone on to win Best in Class, Master; Historical Interpretation and Best in Show, Historical Interpretation for "There are Dangers From Beauty" a presentation featuring her costume made for the Bella Donna project; Seresina Olivia d'Iverno's gown.

Jwlhyfer and Tara are also featured in issue #37 of Renaissance Magazine, in an article about the miniature portraits of S.N. Jacobson.