Fashion major merges textile technique with historic costumes

TORRINGTON — Sarah Gardella of Torrington, a student at Lasell College in Newton, Mass., had a unique opportunity to match a learning experience — apprenticeship, a practice which dates back to the Middle Ages — with the Rococo Art movement originated in France that spread worldwide in the late 17th and early 18th century, and was remarkable for its ornamental and theatrical style of pastel clothing.

Gardella, a Fashion and Retail Merchandising major, participated in a teamoriented semester long project, learning how to create paper textiles and applying that to her study of historic fashion trends.

With several other Lasell students, she visited an exhibit at Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts titled “Casanova’s Europe” for an immersion into 18th century culture and style.

“I was part of a team of four students using the Boston artwork as inspiration,” she said. “We pulled out different colors from the folding fans made of ivory and silk paintings to design a garment. It was a close collaboration of students with different fashion majors, so we all shared our different expertise, along with faculty guidance.”

Professor Jill Carey noted “This project is the first of its kind in my 30 years of teaching, and I’m hoping its influence will extend beyond the Lasell campus.” Professor Carey introduced Gardella’s team to noted fashion historian Edward Maeder, former director of exhibitions and curator of textiles at Historic Deerfield, founding director of the Bata Shoe Museum in Toronto, who has taught cultural history at the college level, and lectured on costumes, textiles, and conservation throughout the world.

Maeder mentored the group, which was also required to write about the process and display their completed dresses at the College’s Connected Learning Symposium.

“This was really a fun project — something you never forget,” Gardella said. “I’m excited that the top 10 finished pieces should be part of a traveling exhibition for their artistry and historic inspiration.”

“I was part of a team of four students using the Boston artwork as inspiration. We pulled out different colors from the folding fans made of ivory and silk paintings to design a garment. It was a close collaboration of students with different fashion majors, so we all shared our different expertise, along with faculty guidance.”

Sarah Gardella of Torrington, a student at Lasell College in Newton, Mass.

Matthew Seath / Contributed photo Sarah Gardella’s fashion creation merges Rococo style with a unique textile technique.