1661 Marie-Angelique de Fontanges

1661 Marie-Angélique de Fontanges

During the 17th century, embroidered jackets and waistcoats were important fashion pieces for both men and women. These garments were often richly decorated with elaborate embroidery, reflecting the craftsmanship and artistic traditions of the time. Women's jackets in particular featured complex floral and botanical patterns worked in techniques such as satin stitch, stem stitch, couching and detached buttonhole stitch. The embroidery was commonly executed with coloured silk threads on a linen ground, creating vivid and decorative surfaces.

A remarkable historical example of this style is an embroidered jacket preserved in the Victoria & Albert Museum, dated to the late 16th and early 17th centuries. The piece includes silver and silver-gilt threads, purl, strip and spangles, and demonstrates the highly refined textile artistry of the period.

The inspiration for this fabric design comes from these historic garments and from embroidered Tudor and early 17th-century waistcoats and jackets. The botanical motifs include honeysuckle, pansies, carnations, foxgloves, borage, strawberries, cornflowers, rosehips, thistles, columbine and vine leaves. Pea-pods with small silver-gilt peas appear among the plants, accompanied by tiny birds, bees and other small creatures.

The scale of the design can be adjusted, and the fabric can also be embroidered afterwards for additional decorative work.

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This design is dedicated to Marie-Angélique de Fontanges

Marie-Angélique de Fontanges (1661–1681) was a French court lady and one of the mistresses of King Louis XIV. She became famous at the French court not only for her beauty but also for her influence on fashion.

The elaborate hairstyle known as the fontange was named after her and became a major fashion trend across Europe during the late 17th century.