House Van Gijn

Huis Van Gijn in Dordrecht opens its doors to a century of sartorial history. The museum, marking its 100th anniversary, presents a special selection from its fashion collection, allowing visitors to engage with formal wear and elaborate costumes within their original, historic settings. The house itself becomes a stage, particularly in the Garden Room where 'living pictures' are recreated. Here, a brown silk gown from the 1830s, with distinctive sheep's leg sleeves, is positioned as part of a family tableau, evoking past gatherings. Other gowns reveal transformations, such as a silver-blue damask silk dress from 1766, re-fashioned for costume parties around 1890. The Dining Room shifts focus to wedding attire. While the white wedding gown became fashionable later, Huis Van Gijn displays dresses from earlier periods, including a salmon pink silk creation from 1928 and a black cotton and silk gown from 1905, possibly chosen due to mourning or the couple's age. These garments are complemented by objects from a wedding service, such as engraved glasses and menu cards, providing a tactile connection to past celebrations. The Red Salon further explores the social calendar, with invitations on display hinting at the strict etiquette dictating attire for events like theatre visits and evening soirees.