Costume Design

Die spanische Renaissance: Als Mode zu Architektur wurde
The Spanish Renaissance: When Fashion Became Architecture
The Spanish Renaissance created one of the most distinctive silhouettes in European fashion history. While earlier Renaissance clothing often appeared softer and more flowing, Spain opted for clean lines, geometric... Read more...
Viktorianische Mode der 1850er Jahre: Volants, Pagodenärmel und die Kunst der Fülle
Victorian Fashion of the 1850s: Ruffles, Pagoda Sleeves, and the Art of Fullness
The crinoline was far more than just a skirt frame. It defined an entire era of elegance, volume, and decorative splendor. With its wide skirts, pagoda sleeves, lace, and flounces,... Read more...
Die Abendmode der 1920er Jahre – Perlen, Fransen und die neue Eleganz
1920s Evening Wear – Pearls, Fringe, and the New Elegance
1920s evening wear no longer relied on tight corsets and heavy shapes, but on movement, simple lines, and luxurious finishes. Beads, fringes, transparent fabrics, and shiny materials gave the dresses... Read more...
Die deutsche Damenmode der Renaissance – Luxus, Volumen und geschlitzte Ärmel im 16. Jahrhundert
German Women's Fashion of the Renaissance – Luxury, Volume, and Slashed Sleeves in the 16th Century
German women's fashion during the Renaissance was characterized by wide silhouettes, richly decorated bodices, and striking sleeves. In the 16th century, clothing not only served beauty but also visibly displayed... Read more...
Der Aufstieg der Krinoline Wie die viktorianische Mode die gigantischen Röcke der 1850er Jahre erschuf
The Rise of the Crinoline: How Victorian Fashion Created the Gigantic Skirts of the 1850s
The crinoline fundamentally changed 19th-century fashion. Enormous, bell-shaped skirts were initially formed by numerous petticoats, horsehair fabrics, and reinforced constructions, before the steel-hooped crinoline later emerged. In the 1860s, some... Read more...
Mode um 1920–1923 Wie sich die weibliche Silhouette nach der Edwardianischen Zeit veränderte
Fashion 1920–1923 How the female silhouette changed after the Edwardian era
The early 1920s fundamentally changed women's fashion.The heavily emphasized waistline of earlier decades increasingly disappeared, making way for a longer, straighter silhouette. Dresses became looser, softer, and much more mobile.... Read more...
Die „Musselinkrankheit“ – Als Mode im Empire plötzlich gefährlich wurde
The "Muslin Disease" – When fashion suddenly turned dangerous in the Empire
Empire and Regency fashion around 1800 brought forth a completely new silhouette: high waistlines, flowing muslin dresses, and an antiquity-inspired lightness replaced the heavy forms of the 18th century. However,... Read more...
Der Wahnsinn der Rokoko-Frisuren – Schönheit, Status und die Schattenseiten des 18. Jahrhunderts
The Madness of Rococo Hairstyles – Beauty, Status, and the Dark Side of the 18th Century
Rococo hairstyles were far more than fashionable beauty trends. Throughout the 18th century, hairstyles evolved from soft powdered curls into elaborate constructions supported by padding, pomade and towering forms. At... Read more...
Von der Renaissancemode zu modernen Oversize-Silhouetten.
From Renaissance fashion to modern oversized silhouettes.
Die Geschichte der Pluderhose zeigt, wie extreme Silhouetten in der Modegeschichte immer wieder auftauchten. Was in der Renaissance als Symbol für Reichtum, Stärke und sozialen Status begann, tauchte später in... Read more...
Regency Fashion: Die Mode der Empire-Zeit um 1800–1815
Regency Fashion: Fashion of the Empire Era around 1800–1815
Regency fashion transformed European style between 1800 and 1815. Heavy corseted silhouettes of the 18th century disappeared and were replaced by flowing gowns, high empire waistlines and light fabrics inspired... Read more...
Mode um 1912: Tunika, Bluse, Kostüm und Mantel – die neue Garderobe einer Übergangszeit
Fashion around 1912: Tunic, Blouse, Suit, and Coat – The New Wardrobe of a Transitional Period
Around 1910, fashion entered a transitional phase.Silhouettes became narrower, yet softer in expression. The hobble skirt shaped the overall line, while new garments like the divided skirt introduced early ideas... Read more...
Stoffe und Farben im Rokoko: Luxus, Leichtigkeit und überraschende Gegensätze
Rococo Fabrics and Colors: Luxury, Lightness, and Surprising Contrasts
Rococo fashion was characterized by luxurious fabrics, harmonious colors, and elaborate patterns. While heavy materials such as silk, damask, and brocade initially defined the sumptuous character of clothing, a growing... Read more...
Die Mode der späten 1920er Jahre – Als Bewegung wichtiger wurde als Form
Late 1920s Fashion – When Movement Became More Important Than Form
1920s fashion stands for freedom, movement, and a radical new beginning.After centuries of restrictive clothing, a new, clean silhouette emerged that no longer confined the body but rather accompanied it.... Read more...
Barocke Schuhe und Strümpfe – Eleganz bis ins kleinste Detail
Baroque Shoes and Stockings – Elegance Down to the Smallest Detail
In the Baroque era, shoes and stockings were important components of clothing and showcased wealth and elegance. Stockings were usually made of silk, wool, or linen and were often adorned... Read more...
Das Rokoko war nicht immer unbeweglich: Négligé, Adrienne und die lockere Seite der Mode
Rococo wasn't always rigid: Negligee, Adrienne, and the lighter side of fashion
Rococo was not only magnificent and stiff: alongside elaborate court dresses, there were also softly draped négligés and Adrienne dresses with loose back pleats. These more comfortable styles appeared more... Read more...
Victoriansche Mode nach 1848: Kaiserin Eugénie, Krinolinen und der Aufstieg der Haute Couture
Victorian Fashion after 1848: Empress Eugénie, Crinolines, and the Rise of Haute Couture
After the revolutions of 1848, Paris once again became the centre of European fashion. Eugénie de Montijo, in particular, shaped the style of the Second Empire as a fashion icon.... Read more...
Der dekorative Luxus der Rokoko-Mode: Schnürleiber, Schleifen und sichtbare Unterröcke
The Decorative Luxury of Rococo Fashion: Stays, Ribbons, and Visible Petticoats
Rococo fashion changed throughout the 18th century, primarily in the shape of the skirt. Large hoop skirts gradually became smaller, while overskirts were gathered at the sides, revealing richly decorated... Read more...
Wie Kleidung im 16. Jahrhundert erstmals dokumentiert wurde
How clothing was first documented in the 16th century
In the 16th century, clothing was documented systematically for the first time. Early costume books show how differently people in Europe dressed back then – depending on region, status, and... Read more...
Wie die Empire-Mode entstand - England begann, Paris übertrieb
How Empire fashion came about - England started it, Paris overdid it
Empire fashion first emerged in England, where dresses became simpler, lighter, and more natural around 1800. The waistline moved up directly under the bust, skirts fell straight down, and heavy... Read more...
Wenn Mode zum Käfig wurde: Reifröcke, Schnürleiber und gesellschaftlicher Druck im Rokoko
When fashion became a cage: Hoops skirts, corsets, and social pressure in the Rococo period
The article shows that while Rococo fashion appeared elegant and magnificent, it was often uncomfortable and restrictive. Wide hooped skirts and tight corsets defined the silhouette of the 18th century.... Read more...
Der Humpelrock um 1910 – Die extremste Mode der Edwardian-Zeit
The Hobble Skirt Around 1910 – The Most Extreme Fashion of the Edwardian Era
At the beginning of the 20th century, fashion was undergoing a crucial transformation. While the corset was increasingly being questioned, the hobble skirt emerged, creating a silhouette that, though elegant,... Read more...
Warum sich Mode um 1800 radikal veränderte – Natur, Freiheit und die neue Einfachheit
Why fashion underwent a radical change around 1800 – Nature, Freedom, and the New Simplicity
Around 1800, fashion changed radically.Heavy forms disappeared – clothing became light, soft, and natural. Flowing fabrics, clean lines, and the Empire silhouette shaped a new aesthetic that still appears modern... Read more...
Barock Mode im Wandel: Wie Kleidung im 17. Jahrhundert beweglicher wurde
Baroque Fashion in Flux: How Clothing Became More Adaptable in the 17th Century
Fashion around 1635 shows a subtle but decisive change: rigid, constructive forms begin to loosen, making way for softly draped fabrics and more fluid silhouettes. This formal study highlights a... Read more...
Die Mode-Revolution um 1900 – Wie das Korsett verschwand und moderne Mode entstand
The Fashion Revolution Around 1900 – How the Corset Disappeared and Modern Fashion Emerged
Fashion around 1900 underwent a profound transformation: the corset, long defining the female silhouette, lost its importance and was increasingly replaced by flowing, natural forms. Between 1900 and 1914, a... Read more...
Barock Mode: Wie Kleidung im 17. Jahrhundert fließender wurde
Baroque Fashion: How Clothing Became More Fluid in the 17th Century
17th-century Baroque fashion marks a decisive turning point in the history of fashion. Stiff, immobile forms gave way to more flowing silhouettes, allowing for greater naturalness and elegance. Fabrics, movement,... Read more...