Jacket 1895

The jacket was made by Richards & Veryken. Let's consider what a garment like this communicates about the wearer. The choice of black velvet speaks to a certain kind of luxury and elegance. The cut and shape reference earlier eras, blending historical elements with a modern silhouette. But consider those sleeves! They transform the wearer, exaggerating the shoulders and the upper body, creating an imposing almost theatrical presence. This relates to ideas around gender, power, and performance. Is this about subversion, or about reinforcing existing hierarchies of status and visibility? Fashion is never just about clothing, but about the performance of identity. How does this jacket encourage us to think about the role that clothing plays in shaping how we see ourselves, and how we're seen by others?