THE SCOTLAND COLLECTION AND MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS
AFTER A TRIP TO THE SOUTH OF SCOTLAND IN 1995, I HAVE NEVER FORGOTTEN EVEN THE MOST FLEETING IMPRESSION THAT THIS GORGEOUS COUNTRY HAS LEFT ON ME.
IT'S TUMULTOUS HISTORY, POETRY, LITERATURE, INVENTORS, CASTLES, ABBEYS, TAPESTRIES, LANDSCAPES, BAGPIPES, TARTANS, AND AMBIENCE, IS SO INTOXICATING!!
THOSE IMPRESSIONS HAVE BEEN IN CREATIVE GESTATION
FOR 14 YEARS!
FINALLY I HAVE FOUND A WAY TO HONOR THOSE PRECIOUS MEMORIES IN A COLLECTION OF HATS, INDICATIVE OF MY OTHER OBSESSION.
I HAVE CHOSEN THE TIMELESS SHAPE OF THE CLOCHE HAT, ON WHICH TO APPLY THAT AMBIENCE, IN THE FORM OF RICH DETAILS OF THOSE GLORIOUS OLD MEDIEVAL TAPESTRIES, DAMASKS, BROCADES, SUMPTUOUS VELVETS, ANTIQUE LACE, TASSELS, FEATHERS, PEARLS, CORDING, AND ORNAMENTAL BROOCHES.
HERE YOU WILL SEE THE EVOLUTION OF THE COLLECTION AS IT MOVES FROM THE PLAINER SCOTLAND COLLECTION, WITH IT'S HARRIS TWEEDS, HERRINGBONE WOOL, FELTED WOOLS, CLAN TARTANS, HERALDIC BUTTONS AND BROOCHES, AND FEATHERS, TO THE MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS COLLECTION.
IN HONOR OF THE WOMAN WHO SHOULD HAVE OCCUPIED THE SCOTTISH THRONE, BUT INSTEAD, LOST HER HEAD TO HER MORE POWERFUL COUSIN,
QUEEN ELIZABETH I OF ENGLAND, I HAVE FAITHFULLY RENDERED THIS COLLECTION IN THE FABRICATIONS AND DETAILS THAT WOULD BE FITTING TO HER MEMORY.
AS THE QUEEN MARY COLLECTION EVOLVES, I WILL NO DOUBT INDULGE THE AUTHENTICITY THAT IS THE 1500's, AND REPLICATE THE DESIGNS IN THE HAT STYLES OF THE ERA. THOUGH MY AUDIENCE OF BUYERS MAY BE SMALLER, I CANNOT CONSIDER THE COLLECTION COMPLETE WITHOUT PAYING FULL ATTRIBUTION TO THE COSTUME OF THE DAY. FOR THE REST OF MY AUDIENCE, I WILL BE ALLUDING TO THOSE RICH DETAILS IN THE MORE WEARABLE CLOCHE STYLE.
I HOPE YOU WILL STAY CONNECTED AND WATCH THIS COLLECTION TAKE SHAPE, AND SEE ITS' PROGRESSION.
I DO NOT EVEN KNOW WHERE I WILL END UP WITH IT. IT IS A MYSTERIOUS RIDE, THIS WONDEROUS PROCESS CALLED CREATIVITY. I AM LITERALLY TRANSPORTED OUT OF TIME AND PLACE WHEN I AM WORKING. AND FOR NOW, THAT MEANS THE 1500'S!
THE THIRD HAT IN THE MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS COLLECTION IS ALREADY INCUBATING. DUNDRENNAN ABBEY IS IN PROCESS, IN HONOR OF THE LAST PLACE SHE STAYED IN SOLWAY, BEFORE SHE SURRENDERED HERSELF TO HER COUSIN.
QUEEN MARY WAS PROMPTLY IMPRISONED FOR 19 YEARS, UNTIL HER EXECUTION
AT FOTHERINGAY CASTLE ON FEBRUARY 8TH, 1587.
IN MY TRAVELS TO SCOTLAND IN 1995, IN SOLWAY, I WALKED THROUGH THE RUINS OF DUNDRENNAN ABBEY, TOOK SOME STUNNINGLY BEAUTIFUL PICTURES, AND RUMINATED ON WHAT HER LAST DAYS OF FREEDOM MUST HAVE BEEN LIKE BEFORE SHE CROSSED THE FIRTH OF SOLWAY INTO ENGLAND.
I LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR COMMENTS ON THIS BLOG AND THE COLLECTIONS.
HATS OFF TO YOU!!
ELSIE COLLINS/THISTLE COTTAGE STUDIO
WWW.ORSINIMEDICI1951.ETSY.COM
