Worth created in paper

An unusual book dealing with French fashion styles from past times including one creation inspired by Charles Worth has been handed to the Civic Society for inclusion in their gallery at the Heritage Centre in Bourne celebrating the life and times of the man who founded haute couture.

The book entitled Papiers à la Mode (Paper in Fashion) was compiled by Isabelle de Borchgrave, a prominent Belgian artist and sculptor who is best known for her colourful paintings and intricately painted paper sculptures, in collaboration with the writer Rita Brown, a Canadian theatre costumier, and represents 300 years of fashion featuring life size historical dresses down the ages. Each took hours to make although when finally finished, you cannot wear them because they are made of paper.

The book was published to coincide with her highly acclaimed exhibition which opened at Mulhouse, France, in 1998 and consisted of thirty life size outfits made of painted paper, the number of items on display subsequently expanding as it toured many parts of the world.

The original dresses are a celebration of fashion from the 17th to the 20th centuries and the authors attempt to show the decorative appeal of clothes and textiles at the time and how garments were constructed and cut by featuring such legendary designers as Paul Poiret and Coco Chanel.

One of the collection of paper dresses included is of particular appeal to the Charles Worth Gallery because it is based on the actual design of a robe du soir, a party frock or evening dress, by Worth which was created at his Paris salon in 1898, three years after his death and was therefore influenced by his designs. It is a magnificent, full length garment with a striking floral geometric pattern in black and white.

The Heritage Centre was established at Baldock’s Mill in South Street in 1981 to perpetuate the history of Bourne and some of its prominent citizens and in April 2006 a new gallery was opened to reflect the life and times of Charles Worth (1825-95), son of a local solicitor who left home as a boy to pursue a career in fashion and subsequently established his salon in Paris where he achieved international acclaim.

The book, in full colour, has been given to the gallery by Mrs Jean Joyce of Scottlethorpe Road, Edenham, near Bourne, who has had it in her possession for several years. “It will be of significance to many people who are interested in Charles Worth and so this is the obvious place where it should be preserved”, she said.

WRITTEN JULY 2014

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