Wearable Art- V&A

To begin the Wearable Art project, I started by exploring the rooms at the V&A. I knew before visiting that one of my favourite periods of history was the Renaissance in Europe, and so my search was concentrated on this. At first, I looked at the various copes and mitres worn by bishops and for ceremonies such as coronations, all of which were beautifully decorated with biblical scenes, angels, and gold and silver embroidery. Many of the patterns I realised were floral twisted and brocaded. This was similar to some of the 17th and 18th century Roccoco art that is aw in different rooms, reflecting the wealth of the French aristocracy. I continued looking until I discovered renaissance armour, which was incredibly elaborate in both pattern and form. I found it interesting that armour used for battle would be so carefully and thoughtfully decorated. This type of decoration would have been used not only to represent the wealth of rulers to enemy armies, but also in appreciation of the 'rebirth' of art, history, and faith. Perhaps it was also used to flaunt style and wealth to local citizens. I concluded that this would be my main inspiration for the 'Wearable art' project, because in many ways, Renaissance armour was deemed wearable art.