Irish Dancing Costume.
Author: ROBB, Martha.
Dublin: Country House, 1998. 47 pages. Illustrated. Paperback.
Irish dancing costume evolved from the Celtic Revival aspiration to a distinctive national Irish dress. Inspired by what was known or believed about medieval and ancient Gaelic dress, costumes reflecting Ireland’s glorious past were invented and made with Irish textiles. At the height of the Revival, some Irish nationalists wore Irish costume on special occasions, such as the Gaelic League’s Oireachtas exhibitions. Alongside the new interest in national costume, Irish dancing was being revived, and before long it became customary to wear distinctively Irish costumes for dancing, especially in competition.
In the past two to three decades, Irish dancing costume evolved rapidly, culminating in the elaborate and heavily embroidered, appliqued and decorated costumes that are popular with dancers today. The latest influence on Irish dancing costume is Riverdance, which inspires a shorter, lighter style.
Martha Robb, a graduate of the National College of Art and Design, traces the development of Irish dancing costume from the turn of the century to the present day in this lavishly illustrated study. She puts the development of Irish dancing costume in its historical context and describes the features of contemporary dancing costumes in detail.
CONTENTS:-
IRISH NATIONAL DRESS
The Gaelic League
Promotion of Irish textiles
‘Kells’ embroidery
Style of costume
REVIVAL OF IRISH DANCING
Political events
Dancing schools
An Coimisiun le Rinci Gaelacha
DEVELOPMENT OF DANCING COSTUME
Influence of rural dress styles
Class and solo costumes
Dress design
Dancing organisations and costume style
FEATURES OF IRISH DANCING COSTUME
Fabric and colour
Brat design
Motifs
Embroidery and applique
Collars and cuffs
Belt and socks
Headgear
Shoes
Medals
MALE COSTUME
Early costume
Knee-breeches
Kilts
Contemporary male costume
COSTUME DEVELOPMENT IN THE DIASPORA
Dance and costume in the US
Dance and costume in Australia
Dance and costume in Britain
World Championships
Riverdance
SELECT BIBLIOGRAPHY
ISBN: 0946172609
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