Designer Highlight- Liz Ronzio

Strawbery Banke Museum is delighted to be working with Elizabeth Ronzio, recent winner of TOMS shoes competition. Liz recently told us about her influences and interests:

“I was born on August 21, 1990, in St. Louis, Missouri. Starting at an early age the things I most enjoyed were the ever-present mixture of fashion, fine art, and travel. As my life progressed, I began traveling and acquired new ideas regarding my personal style both in fashion and art. Currently attending Emerson College in Boston, Massachusetts, I am pursuing a degree in Marketing Communications with a minor in Gender Studies. To this day I have visited over twenty-two countries on five continents. With each adventure, I continue to incorporate these aspects into all my designs.”

Liz Ronzio talked about her design inspirations and technique for her line of Toms Shoes for Teen Vogue. Check out this link from Teen Vogue and get to know Liz a bit better.

http://www.teenvogue.com/video?videoID=599047209001

Photo Shoot Redux

Photographer Ellen McDermott and Creative Partner, Bridget Sciales will visit Strawbery Banke's textile and costume collection for a second photo shoot for Passion for Fashion. Follow these pages for Samuel Cutts suit, lacy evening confections, hats, wedding slippers and shoes, crewel work pocket and much more--photographed on site.

Silkbrocade

The Process: Collections, Design, Inspiration

Passion for Fashion photo shoot in Chase House, Spring 2010. Photogrpaher Ellen McDermott sets up the shot while Lydia Shilland, Kimberly Alexander and Larry Larose look on.

Center and bottom left: Strawbery Banke Museum textile collection storage area and workroom

Bottom right: Results of photo shoot, Green silk brocade dress, Pierce family of Portsmouth, ca.1765-1775, Gift of Priscilla Pierce Decker.

Summer Day at Strawbery Banke

Here we have a selection from our hat collection being let out in the fresh air. Bowler Hat worn by Ben, Black Hat worn by Elizabeth and Straw Hat worn by Tara.

James Davis Shoe from the Metropolitan Museum of Art

The silk and leather shoe pictured above is in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Dated ca. 1760s, it was created by shoe maker James Davis, whose label places him near Aldgate, London. (Center image) A similar shoe by the same maker will be featured in Strawbery Banke Museum "Passion for Fashion" exhibit in 2012. For further information on the maker's career and apprenticeship, see blog entry "Lady's London Shoe" (Thursday 10 June 2010)

In this later ca.1760s shoe, notice the change of heel proportion and shape of toe. Like the shoe in the Strawbery Banke Museum Collection (ca. 1730s-1740s) pictured at bottom of page) it is luxurious and lush, and the epitome of a high style shoe.

Strawbery Banke Museum staff thanks the Cordwainers College in London and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York with their generous assistance. We will continue our research on James Davis and his oeuvre, sharing our discoveries on these pages.

Kimberly Alexander, Ph.D.
Chief Curator
Strawbery Banke Museum
7/10

1940 Wedding Trousseau

This 1940 wedding trousseau was recently donated to Strawbery Banke Museum by long time New Hampshire family, Kathy Scannell of Portsmouth, NH and her sister, Carol Provost of Merrimack, NH. The gloves, handmade magenta robe, wedding dress and shoes were part of the wedding ensemble worn by Edith Mary (Cronchaw) Casey. Miss. Cronchaw married Frances Casey on June 17th, 1940 after 19 years of dating. The extended period of courtship may explain the quality of the desinger made gown, veil and shoes as the couple was well-established prior to marriage. The donation also includes veil, stockings, slip, the wedding portraits, invitation, a collection of peach sleepwear, along with cards over the years from Francis to Edith.

The shoes are in very good condition (note the quality of the silk, the heart shaped buckle, heel proportion and delicate strap) as is the sleepwear and magenta robe. While the dress has suffered in large part due to unstable man-made fibers, the gift is of considerable importance given the intactness and completeness of the trousseau and suppporting materials.

Kimberly Alexander, Ph.D., with Bridget Swift, Collections Intern
Chief Curator
Strawbery Banke Museum
7/29/10

Photography, Bridget Swift

Kenneth Cole Green Shoes (Sue's Shoes)

These Pixie style loafers were designed by Kenneth Cole. Note the shoe profile and theatrical, over-the-top bow. The shoes were made in Spain with a leather sole and are a women's size 7. Also can be found in red. Our friend Sue wears them for special dress and has loaned them for the Passion for Fashion exhibition.

Silkbrocade and Bridget

Photography, Bridget