Pleat Collection

Colossal statue of a goddess. 2nd century AD
Roman colossal statue of a goddess. 138-161 AD. The head is latest. Marble. From Egypt. Neues Museum (New Museum). Berlin. Germany

Knitted Bows 1936
A machine-knitted jumper with narrow pleat detail on the shoulders & body. Wool lace bows add a decorative touch

Paris fashions for November, 1864. Creator: Unknown
Paris fashions for November, 1864. 'Fig. 1. Morning Dress. This is altogether an "at home" costume, the colour of the dress being generally light, over a gay-coloured jupe

Paris Fashions for October, 1860. Creator: Unknown
Paris Fashions for October, 1860. 1. Walking Dress...of light green taffety, ample in the skirt...above the flounces there is a narrow edging

Paris Fashions for November, 1860. Creator: Unknown
Paris Fashions for November, 1860. 1. The Lodi Cloak...of velvet, without any other trimming than a narrow ruching placed upon the interior edge

Paris Fashions for December, 1860. Creator: Unknown
Paris Fashions for December, 1860. 1. Visiting Dress. Robe of plain colour, having near the bottom of the jupe a wide band of black velvet

Two women and a girl, May 1870. Creator: Jules David
Two women and a girl, May 1870. Fashion plate

Mrs. Robbins Russell, portrait photograph, 1918 May 17. Creator: Arnold Genthe
Mrs. Robbins Russell, portrait photograph, 1918 May 17

Mrs. Robbins Russell, portrait photograph, 1918 May 17. Creator: Arnold Genthe
Mrs. Robbins Russell, portrait photograph, 1918 May 17

Housekeeper's Alliance, early 1900s. Creator: Harris & Ewing. Housekeeper's Alliance, early 1900s
Housekeeper's Alliance, early 1900s. USA. Group portrait of women wearing elaborate hats, and dresses embellished with lace, ruffles and velvet ribbons

At a Bomber Command Station, 5 July 1944, (1947). Creator: Unknown
At a Bomber Command Station, 5 July 1944, (1947). King George VI and Queen Elizabeth with daughter Princess Elizabeth (future Queen Elizabeth II)

Blue Afternoon Dress, c. 1938. Creator: Lucien Verbeke
Blue Afternoon Dress, c. 1938

Miss Z. Gaddis, between 1913 and 1918. Creator: Harris & Ewing. Miss Z. Gaddis, between 1913 and 1918
Miss Z. Gaddis, between 1913 and 1918

Miss Z. Gaddis, between 1913 and 1918. Creator: Harris & Ewing. Miss Z. Gaddis, between 1913 and 1918
Miss Z. Gaddis, between 1913 and 1918

Dress, c. 1940. Creator: Virginia Berge
Dress, c. 1940

Dress, 1935/1942. Creator: Jessie M. Benge
Dress, 1935/1942

Dress, c. 1936. Creator: Jessie M. Benge
Dress, c. 1936

Apparel - woman in costume in full-length oblique view from behind in landscape, 1810-1857. Creator: Otto Wallgren
Apparel - woman in costume in full-length oblique view from behind in landscape, 1810-1857. The woman has a flower basket on her arm

Apparel - standing woman Creator: Otto Wallgren
Apparel - standing woman

Woman in costume, standing full-length with a landscape in the background. Creator: Otto Wallgren
Woman in costume, standing full-length with a landscape in the background

Woman in costume in profile, 1810-1857. The first booklet of the 19th century. Creator: Otto Wallgren
Woman in costume in profile, 1810-1857. The first booklet of the 19th century

Apparel - woman standing in full figure with white apron, 1810-1857. Creator: Otto Wallgren
Apparel - woman standing in full figure folk costume with white apron, 1810-1857

Woman in folk costume from Frosta county in Skåne. Creator: Otto Wallgren
Woman in folk costume from Frosta county in Skane

Closeup of Fan Palm

Abstract of detail of fan palm

Fan palm trees

Fan palm leaves

Artistic view of palm frond

Artistic view of fan palm

Detail of fan palm

Portrait of Lady Frances Anna Blandy Thomson, Baroness Kelvin (1837-1916), 1876

Anna Theodora Barbara Regenburg, née Wetche, 1838. Creator: Georg Raedel
Anna Theodora Barbara Regenburg, nee Wetche, 1838

God Pluto. Roman sculpture, 2nd century AD
Sculpture of God Pluto. 2nd century AD. Marble. From the Roman Theatre of Merida (Emerita Augusta), Spain. National Museum of Roman Art. Merida, Badajoz province, Extremadura, Spain. Date: 2014

Dress, 1879-80 (silk, cotton and wool)
2959446 Dress, 1879-80 (silk, cotton and wool) by English School, (19th century); Manchester Art Gallery, UK; (add.info.: Annotated in Cunnington lists as Worn by Madame Canziani)

Madam Morensi, between 1855 and 1865. Creator: Unknown
Madam Morensi, between 1855 and 1865. [Aka Madame Morenci? Opera singer?]

Medori, between 1855 and 1865. Creator: Unknown
Medori, between 1855 and 1865. [Italian opera singer Giuseppina Medori?]

Pauline Cushman, between 1855 and 1865. Creator: Unknown
Pauline Cushman, between 1855 and 1865. [Actress, spy for the Union Army during the American Civil War]

Low-class Quechua woman and man of Chuquisaca, Bolivia, South America
6339092 Low-class Quechua woman and man of Chuquisaca, Bolivia, South America by Duverger (18th-19th century); (add.info.: Low-class Quechua woman and man of Chuquisaca, Bolivia, South America)

Dress Coat, c. 1936. Creators: Gordon Saltar, B. Berndt
Dress Coat, c. 1936

Nightgown, 1935 / 1942. Creator: Jean Peszel
Nightgown, 1935/1942

Dress, c. 1938. Creator: Jean Peszel
Dress, c. 1938

Dress, c. 1939. Creator: Jean Peszel
Dress, c. 1939

Childs Dress, 1935 / 1942. Creator: Jean Peszel
Childs Dress, 1935/1942

Dress, c. 1936. Creator: Jean Peszel
Dress, c. 1936

Womans Qun (Semiformal Domestic Skirt), China, Qing dynasty (1644-1911), 1870 / 90
Womans Qun (Semiformal Domestic Skirt), China, Qing dynasty (1644-1911), 1870/90

Untitled (Portrait of Seated Woman), 1865 / 81. Creator: Lyman W. Colby
Untitled (Portrait of Seated Woman), 1865/81. Albumen print

Untitled (Portrait of Three Women), 1860. Creator: R. Emmert Churchill
Untitled (Portrait of Three Women), 1860. Daguerreotype

Dress, c. 1938. Creator: Ray Price
Dress, c. 1938

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"Pleat: An Artistic Journey Through Time and Fashion" Step into the world of pleats, where history and fashion intertwine to create timeless beauty. From a colossal statue of a goddess in the 2nd century AD to knitted bows adorning dresses in 1936, pleats have left their mark on art and style throughout the ages. In ancient Rome, even legionaries donned pleated garments as depicted in relief sculptures from the 2nd century AD. The intricate folds added an air of sophistication to their uniforms, just as they did for Roman citizens who wore togas. The craftsmanship of pleating reached its pinnacle with statues like Athena Parthenos at Pergamon, showcasing the meticulous attention to detail that went into creating these masterpieces. The god Pluto also bore witness to this artistry through a Roman sculpture from the 2nd century AD. Fast forward to the late 19th century when a dress made from silk, cotton, and wool showcased how pleats could elevate everyday fashion. This garment exemplified both elegance and practicality. Pleats continued their reign in fashion during the mid-20th century with Gor-ray Koneray's advert for pleated skirts in 1950. These skirts exuded femininity while offering comfort and movement - a perfect combination for modern women. But it wasn't just women's attire that embraced pleats; men too appreciated this sartorial technique. Head sculptures depicting devout men wearing laurel wreaths showcased how even facial features were enhanced by carefully crafted folds. Madam Morensi and Medori further demonstrated that anyone could indulge in this fashionable trend between 1855 and 1865. Their identities may be unknown today but their exquisite taste lives on through portraits capturing them adorned in beautifully draped fabrics. Whether gracing monumental statues or enhancing everyday wear, pleats have proven themselves as more than mere fabric folds – they are an art form.