Dates
6 October to 20 October 2026
When?
Soon
Link
To know more

This project offers a brief overview of the history of women's clothing from the 15th century, when the Renaissance began and humanist thought developed, to the 20th century with the rise of ready-to-wear in the industrial age. It consists of 18 period costumes that illustrate the different styles of women's dress throughout history. These costumes have been handcrafted using recycled materials—bedspreads, tapestries, curtains, mattress covers, etc.—allowing the public to gain a unique perspective on the art of period dress.

The reason why:

Since the invention of the needle in prehistory, women throughout history have not only clothed themselves, but have also participated in the development of textiles and the creation of clothing. Often considered a lesser art, women have been present, not only as the primary wearers of fashionable garments, but also as active creators: spinners, carders, weavers, lacemakers, bobbin lace makers, embroiderers, ironers, milliners, dressmakers, designers—a vast and often forgotten host of anonymous creators.

It can be said that we have reached the 21st century having woven a long genealogy of women, all of them involved in what seems easy for our times, but which, in more ancient times, making a good fabric and dressing in it was something very distinguished, to the point that the clothes were passed down from one generation to another.

In the post-industrial era, all this material that shaped our daily lives is easily discarded and often ends up in dumpsters or recycling centers. This work is a rescue of all this material, in perfect condition, before it fades into oblivion. The textiles will be easily recognizable to viewers and the general public, as they have formed part of the household furnishings in many of our homes. It goes without saying that they are easily identifiable to our eyes and senses because they are already part of our lived experience, woven into the fabric of our everyday lives.

The how:

However, it will not only be a static exhibition, but the purpose of this work for the author has been to conceive it as a performative and participatory activity, if possible to carry it out on the last day of the exhibition, through a parade with period costumes with different participants.

On the one hand, we won't just see mattress fabrics, living room curtains, bathroom curtains, bedspreads, upholstery, etc., paraded by, but rather handcrafted items made with all these textiles, giving them a more dynamic and different meaning from their original purpose. The idea of ​​presenting them by radically transforming the material into various period dresses was fun. Each dress offers a different interpretation, some updated and quite liberties taken with the original. And while all the pieces offer a very original perspective on the discarded material, their new possibilities are revealed, allowing for striking reinterpretations.

On the other hand, the dresses, when worn by each woman, take on a life they lack on a hanger, and considering their individual styles, they lend a greater sense of realism to both the fashion show and the project. Its ultimate purpose was always for women to wear and enjoy them, to feel them as their own for the duration of the show (approximately one hour).

Finally, the fashion show will also reveal some anecdotes from the era and its inspiration, such as the stories of some fascinating women who wore the dresses. We'll also discuss the materials used in the dresses and briefly describe some characteristics of the styles of the time. All of this will be accompanied by contemporary music performed by female vocalists, with each model accompanied by a brief description of the dress she's wearing, delivered from a lectern by the narrator-presenter.

The Provincial Historical Archive:

The Provincial Historical Archive of Avila is the institution responsible for the custody and conservation of the Documentary Heritage of this province. In this sense, in addition to collecting the documentation generated by the different administrations, it promotes the collection of private funds of different nature, photographic, literary, from companies, artists or creators that increase the knowledge and collective memory of the people of Ávila.

In addition to the description and identification of the Documentary Heritage it safeguards in order to provide documentation to citizens, researchers and administrations, it is necessary to make this Heritage known. In this context, activities are carried out to disseminate and exhibit the documentary collections, as well as guided tours and educational visits.

The archive is also a cultural institution , open to the public and to all creators who wish to share their work or research—a public space dedicated to culture and the community. In this spirit, its facilities are made available for exhibitions, book presentations, conferences, and other events, as is the case with this exhibition and presentation of works by Yolanda Meneses Martín .

Location: Historical Archive of Avila. Multipurpose Room. Plaza Concepción Arenal.

Dates: October 6-20. Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Presentation: Presentation on October 6th at 12:00 pm. Free admission until capacity is reached.

Closing ceremony and parade: October 20 at 6:00 p.m.

Address and map location

  • Postal address Archivo Histórico Provincial de Ávila - Pza. Concepción Arenal, s/n. municipality of Ávila . NaN. Ávila