Cotton Faille, Velvet Ribbon, Synthetic Satin Ribbon, Machine Embroidered Organza Lace (Photos by Joshua Purvis)
Worn over a tucked petticoat and small bustle pad. Designed by UTK Graduate Student Margo Birdwhistle for a theoretical production of The House That Will Not Stand.
Color rendering by Margo Birdwhistell for the character of “Agnes” in The House That Will Not Stand. The play involves a New Orleans family in mourning following the funeral of their father.
19th century American mourning customs followed those of England and had evolved into a complex set of rules, especially involving dress. Women, particularly those of the upper classes, were socially required to wear black clothing and veils. For a widow, full black mourning was expected for a minimum of four years when they would enter “half mourning” and be permitted to wear muted colors such as grey and lavender.
