Rok van mantelpak van witte keperkatoen versierd met een oprijg- en knoopversiering c. 1907 - 1909

This white cotton suit, whose maker is unknown, incorporates both machine and hand work. The twill fabric would have been produced in a factory, yet the delicate embroidery on the jacket is evidence of painstaking handcraft. Note the contrast between the plain weave of the skirt and sleeves, and the decorative elaboration of the bodice. The maker has deployed handwork as a means of elevating an otherwise utilitarian material. The pulled and knotted threadwork creates a lacy effect, softening the tailored lines of the garment. The buttons, too, add to the texture, creating a sense of depth and shadow. Here, the labor involved in production becomes visible, creating an aesthetic tension that transcends the simple binary of factory-made and handmade. The combination of techniques suggests a complex interplay of industrial production, and individual skill and artistry. It invites us to consider how clothing can embody both practicality and personal expression.