Broke Byzantine: making a sartorial riot happen on a budget

April 27, 2021April 28, 2021 / Konstantia/Constans / Leave a comment

All too often, when the term Byzantine and the Eastern Roman Empire are brought up in re-enactment and recreationist contexts, especially in a clothing context, we think opulence and splendour. We think “guess I’ll have to mortgage my house” or “time to rob the bank to afford this look.” I’m here to say that no, … Continue reading Broke Byzantine: making a sartorial riot happen on a budget

Survey of Byzantine Clothing Class

February 16, 2019February 16, 2019 / Konstantia/Constans / 4 Comments

At Clothier's Seminar, hosted by the Shire of Cúm an Iolair, I had the opportunity to teach a class on Byzantine clothing from about the 6th century to about the 14th century. This will eventually be a series of posts at some point, but until then, please enjoy my handout (with a very large thank … Continue reading Survey of Byzantine Clothing Class

Puzzling Out the Procession of the Martyrs

November 27, 2016November 27, 2016 / Konstantia/Constans / 13 Comments

The Procession of the Virgin Martyrs is an incredible piece of art from 6th century Ravenna (see also the mosaic of Theodora with Attendants, also located in Ravenna and completed during the reign of Justinian and Theodora). Created with thousands of tesserae (or glass or stone tiles), this piece of artwork completed during the reign … Continue reading Puzzling Out the Procession of the Martyrs

Project Disco Ball; or how to really bling an outfit

September 25, 2016 / Konstantia/Constans / 3 Comments

Remember this outfit? It's what I wore when I stepped down from being Principal Herald and I love it still. Except it's not blingy enough for my liking. So, enter Project Disco Ball. Bezants are little metal bits that are sewn to clothing. They're also called paillettes, but the main idea are bits of metal … Continue reading Project Disco Ball; or how to really bling an outfit

Teaser!

September 1, 2016September 1, 2016 / Konstantia/Constans / 1 Comment

Yeah, I've had a lot of secret projects on my plate (which means there will be post about them as things happen). This, however, is a not-so-secret one, of which there will be an upcoming tutorial on. I'm also procraftinating. Bezants! Or, enaBLING as it happens. They are super easy and great for 14th c, … Continue reading Teaser!