About Allison
As pioneering as Drea’s theories about Dutch dress are and as much as they are a good starting point for basic Dutch market fashion, I feel there is so much more to it and I disagree with some of her theories, primarily the kirtle construction and the open skirt on the gown. I began to make my gowns with closed fronts in 2007 and I was encouraged by my friends to put my information on-line, so I did. This website originally came about in 2007 as Northern Costume, but I was busy and let my domain name go and someone is now holding it hostage for money I don’t want to spend. Here is some information about me and this website.
I go to the University of Nevada, Reno where I’m majoring in English Literature and German. Neither of those things have anything to do with Dutch costume. To be honest, with all the primary sources that I am able to access because I read German, it is easy to wonder why I don’t delve into German culture in the 16th century. I’ve thought about it, but I really dig the fashion of the Dutch from approximately 1545-1560, which is a rather narrow period.
However because I don’t read Dutch, some aspects of the culture are cut off unless I am able to find materials in English or German to read. So far it hasn’t been too much of a problem, I just acknowledge that some things will get lost in translation and I will have to take it with a grain of salt.