The Platt Hall collection has always inspired me with the beauty and craftsmanship of its objects. Treasures of the archives, hidden in the historical building, surrounded by the park, always seemed so intriguing. Clothing is always more than just garments; it expresses the philosophy of the time, combining historical context with aesthetic, religious, and personal vision and preferences. The collection of costumes at Platt Hall is like a mirror, showing the way people of each era have seen or reflected on reality. 

Leading an artist's life, you are often inspired by visual fragments or by the philosophy and ideas behind an object. My main interests are costume and environmental causes and this correlation seems really intriguing to me. Often fashion uses inspiration from nature and it's interesting to see how that reverts back. The “Every Leaf Matters” project, which formed part of TSAP@PlattHall2020, is a starting point for me, for follow up projects expressing environmental causes through costume."

Tzanka Tcherneva-Ilieva

To find about more about Tzanka's work see https://art.tsap.uk/tzanka-tcherneva-ilieva/.
For more information about the TSAP project see TSAP @ Platt Hall 2020.

Coif and forehead cloth, embroidered linen, made in Scotland, 1600-1610

The coif, a close fitting fabric cap, was a popular item of women's clothing in the 16th and early 17th centuries. It was worn on the back of the head over a band of fabric tied across the forehead towards the front.

Those made for wealthy noblewomen were often finely embroidered, as this one is, with birds, butterflies, moths and caterpillars in between scrolling golden vines flowering with roses, carnations and peapods, and a scattering of sequins.

Every Leaf Matters, Tzanka Tcherneva-Ilieva, 2020