These are some of the highlights from my year-long Honors Thesis I completed at Western Kentucky University. The project, which I designed with assistance from my adviser and executed myself, encompasses my minor in History, my love for researching historical clothing and my sewing skills accumulated during my time in the Department of Theatre and Dance.
Abstract:
The aim of this project is to explore the life of a turn of the century lady. In order to do so, I first examined the environment in which she would live, as well as the social and historical framework she lived within. This was a period of rapid social and political change, especially in the lives of women. The New Woman emerged rapidly, gaining more independence through her active lifestyle. Carrie Burnam Taylor was one of these women. As one of the first female business owners in the Bowling Green area, she overcame economic and geographical challenges, in addition to gender boundaries, by creating her own dressmaking company, the Mrs. A.H. Taylor Company. I examined dresses produced by her company and made a detailed record of my examination. Based on the data I collected, along with supplemental research, I created all of the underpinnings (bloomers, camisole, corset and petticoat) and a day dress Taylor’s clientele would have worn.
Abstract:
The aim of this project is to explore the life of a turn of the century lady. In order to do so, I first examined the environment in which she would live, as well as the social and historical framework she lived within. This was a period of rapid social and political change, especially in the lives of women. The New Woman emerged rapidly, gaining more independence through her active lifestyle. Carrie Burnam Taylor was one of these women. As one of the first female business owners in the Bowling Green area, she overcame economic and geographical challenges, in addition to gender boundaries, by creating her own dressmaking company, the Mrs. A.H. Taylor Company. I examined dresses produced by her company and made a detailed record of my examination. Based on the data I collected, along with supplemental research, I created all of the underpinnings (bloomers, camisole, corset and petticoat) and a day dress Taylor’s clientele would have worn.