Nationale feestrok van Annemie Boissevain 1946

This ‘Nationale feestrok van Annemie Boissevain’ or National Party Skirt was made anonymously from different pieces of fabric, each carefully sewn together. The palette is a mix of different patterns, textures, and colors, which gives the skirt a playful and lively feel. It feels like a joyful gathering of different stories and memories. Looking closely, I notice the careful hand-stitching that holds each piece together. The fabrics range from smooth satin to floral cotton, each with its own unique texture and weight. I imagine the maker carefully selecting each piece, considering how it would fit into the overall design. The bottom hem is edged with a sawtooth pattern of darker fabric. It’s a detail that feels both decorative and functional, adding a sense of rhythm and movement to the piece. The bright, bold colours of this skirt and the way they are arranged remind me of the quilts made by the Gee's Bend quilters in Alabama. And like those quilts, this skirt is a testament to the power of art to transform everyday materials into something beautiful and meaningful.