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Clothing for the arts may be divided into the painting or
graphic arts, the stage, the circus, the costume balls or fetes,
or Mardi-Gras, Parades.
PAINTING AND GRAPHIC ARTS; there is no specific costume or style
of clothing associated with the artist other than the painters
smock and cap. The reason being that an artist’s conceit lies
only in his work or achievements and not in his/her appearance.
Most artists in all fields have usually been poor and the
materials for their trade or skill have been more important than
personnal adornment. With the rise of the Portrait artist came
monetary gain and the desire to protect clothing from paint. It
was at this time that the painters smock was concieved since the
famous painters of the 16th and 17th century onwards were hosting
many royal and wealthy patrons as models, social neccessity
dictated for the more conceited or fastidious artist that he
dress well in their presence and yet protect this clothing from
paint. Hence a covering that could be used to cover himself and
yet be easily removed after. This was the peasants smock that
lent itself readily to the problem.
THE STAGE; Costumes or dress for the stage can be subdivided
again into; stage plays, ballet, revues, opera’s.
STAGE PLAYS; Classical drama’s using plays written at the time of
the setting for the drama use as authentic a clothing style of
the period as possible. Or as the costume designer sees it.This
refers to Greek drama’s, Roman, prechristian events. Medievel or
Elizabethan drama’s or plays may use the clothing of the day or
have clothing especially designed for the play.
Ballet; consists of the subclasses, classical, in which the
traditional costumes are worn and modern, in which the designer
has free reign in invention.
REVUES; consist of many subdivisions as these are musical
extravaganza’s of many small or elaborate numbers and can be
iether of a fixed formulae or a variety of formulas. It can be a
national roadshow being taken around the world, such as the
kabuki dancers of Japan.
OPERA; or drama’s set to music and combining singing,acting,and
ballet will be performed in costumes that belong to the story
line and the time and place.
It is due to these forms of entertainment that a fairly accurate
record has been kept for history of the styles of clothing that
have been used throughout the ages.
COSTUME BALLS, FETES, HOLIDAY WEAR, PARADES; Costume Balls are
parties were people dress in clothes from another age or country
or as famous people, or as objects. The commonest form is the
Ball were people are allowed to choose their own costumes. Some
balls will have a theme that patrons must follow. In the
Elizabethan and Tudor times great country houses hosted very
elaborite costume balls with entertainment that cost the hosts a
small fortune and even beggered some. One of the forms of costume
balls is the ‘Beau’s Arts Ball’. These are put on by Artists
schools and show off the skill of the artists designing. Themes
range from the world of insects to fables or countries or ages.
The most famous of our age is the Catholic revel called ‘Mardi
Grass'. Held in Catholic cities around the world. It lasts 2-3 days
and there are contests for best costume as well as to pick the
king and queen of Revel. Artist's as well as factory or
businesses get together with a costume theme for all its workers
or members. A whole year will be devoted to their construction.