shiny thing

[anotheranon]

Since my teen years I've been fascinated by Mariano Fortuny's pleated silk tea gowns. It's not just the luxe, timeless look, but the technology that went into it that got me: patent documents for the pleating process exist but aren't entirely clear, and each gown was stored in it's own box and had to be sent back to the Fortuny atelier in Venice for repleating every time it was cleaned.

Well, I finally gritted my teeth and summoned up the nerve to contact the Smithsonian, and in October I've got a behind-the-scenes appointment to get my hot little (immaculately clean, cotton gloved) hands on this one.

I've got permission to take a camera and a sketchbook. I'll be taking my measuring tools (linen loupe, hand-held microscope, calipers, ruler) in case closer handling is permitted. I've also got my DMC floss chart for color comparison. I am not sure how much time I'll be allowed with the garment, or whether touching with tools will be permitted.

I ask of you, textile/costume sorts - what else do I need to be considering?

Comments

[nminusone.livejournal.com]

It sounds like quite an opportunity! Have fun!

Tangentially, even when patents are or appear to be clear they are often not. At least with industrial processes it is not at all uncommon for them to be intentionally misleading or simply wrong in key areas, presumably to handicap one's competitors.

[anotheranon.livejournal.com]

That the patents were vague on purposes surprises me not at all. Maybe I'll learn more when I re-read all my Fortuny books.