Sailing Ships and Sealing Wax and Fashion

Image via WikipediaI was reading about the Princely Treasures exhibit at the Art Gallery of Western Australia today and there are some interesting myths that abound about some of the art works on display. The one that caught my eye most particularly was one about the weaving of objet d'art into the hairpieces and wigs of women's hair in the 1600s, 1700s and 1800s.

It appears that there was a phenomenon of weaving whole model sailing ships (yes, like the ones you find encased in bottles) into wigs for women to wear as high fashion. Bizarre at the time? Perhaps. The reason it caught my attention so vividly though, is that I had indulged myself by buying Marie Claire magazine yesterday and had come across an article about Anna Dello Russo and her apparent slavery to fashion. Lo and behold, what should Anna be wearing in her hair? You guessed it. A ship. wonders will never cease.: anna dello russo for net-a-porter.: 'via Blog this'

Strange but true. Fashion isn't new, it's just a series of repeating cycles (some older and more tenuous than others apparently), cobbled together on a whimsy and sold with supreme confidence.