Fashioning the Early Modern: Creativity and Innovation in Europe,

1500-1800www.fashioningtheearlymodern.ac.uk

Research Questions

• How and why did certain goods become fashionable in Early Modern Europe while others failed?

• What were the mechanisms through which ideas about fashion were communicated across linguistic, social and geographic borders?

• How can we use knowledge of fashion innovations from the past to inform creative practices today?

Project PIs

• Evelyn Welch, Queen Mary, University of London

• Lesley Miller, Victoria and Albert Museum, London

• Peter McNeil, Institute for Fashion Studies, University of Stockholm

• Marie-Louise Nosch and Maj Ringaard, Centre for Textile Research, University of Copenhagen

• Paula Hohti, Collegium for Advanced Studies, Helsinki

Project Associates/Partners

• Paul Ormerod, Volterra Consulting (Economist)

• Nordiske Museet, Stockholm

• Livrustkammeren, Stockholm

• National Museum of Denmark, Copenhagen

• Design Museum, Copenhagen

Activities

• Early Career Training Sessions in Museum collections

• Workshops and conferences for Academics, Designers & Trademark lawyers

• Participation in major international conferences (CIETA, Copenhagen)

• Research data collection in archives in Italy, England, France, Sweden and Denmark

• Mapping of surviving materials in museums collections

Outputs

• Monographs and peer-reviewed articles

• Edited volume based on final conference

• Edition of textile sample book, V&A

• Website Information that will be used by all museum partners

• Support for the redesign of Europe, 1600-1800 Galleries, V&A

• Podcasts available from the V&A website

V&A Europe, 1600-1800 Galleries

Lessons Learned

• Make sure you understand what each partner needs from the project

• Have at least one output that can only be delivered if your work effectively together

• Get commitment from the institutions as well as from the individuals involved

• Ensure you support postdocs/PhDs inside and outside your project – they add real value

• Allow for serendipity • Enjoy yourselves! Having fun together keeps the

network together