As most of you know, my company specializes in historic clothing reproductions and historically inspired costumes. I see a clear difference between copying something that existed as accurately as possible and making something up out of one’s imagination and so most people. My conflict on conscience doesn’t occur when someone wants something “fantasy medievaloid”, as that’s clearly a costume. My conflict arises when a prospective client contacts me and wants something completely non-historical done to a very historical garment, such as in this case:

I've been looking over your site and I've got to say that this is some of the best looking period clothing I've seen. I'm really interested in the long wool gown, but have a couple questions on customizing it just a bit. Mainly, I do want to add the wool buttons in the same color as the gown, but specifically, I'd like to let the sleeves out a bit from the elbow to the wrist. I noticed that they're tapered in the picture and I'm going more for a 'mage robe' look, and would prefer room in the wrist. I'd gladly pay any amount for such work.

Here’s the conflict: If I do as the client wants and turn the Herjolfsnes gown into a magician’s robe by adding these stupid sleeves, and someone who knows my work sees it, will my credibility be affected? I assume the client won’t say that they wanted the sleeve alteration, he’ll just say “I got this from Black Swan Designs, and it’s a historical garment”.

Your thoughts?

Gwen

The issue for me specifically in a case like this is whether my overall credibility as a historical clothing maker is adversely affected when I add blatantly non-historical details to an otherwise historically accurate garment.

Let's face it- this is an almost $500 no-brainer job. I'd like to do it because its easy money. I wonder though if it will lose me that amount or more if my research is thought questionable.

I'm asking this forum because many people here buy clothing for their portrayals (not all from me), and I wondered how they would respond to this situation.

I have an idea. In order to protect your reputation/credibility, not that I think it would be damaged, you might take a picture of this garment when finished and place it in a "Custom-custom" section titled non-historical costume. That way people can see it was not "historically inspired" or you can add a piece to your area description indicating that you accept occasional "fantasy" costume requests. That way people who bother to read will know that it is your normal work.

What do you think?

Jenn

Friedrich

Jenn's opinion is that my credibility / reputation wouldn't be damaged. That's the type of answer that I wanted.

I just double-checked and I do have a "fantasy" section on the site, so I obviously do that stuff. It's this cross-over stuff that concerns me.

Thanks for the input

"Historically deflowered"???? I commend you on your "imaginative" use of the English language!

My opinion is that there is nothing wrong with doing the alteration; it just goes to show your ability to improvise on the design of the clothing to better suit the customer - and that's what a company is all about right? Of course, you do have the right to refuse service to anyone. You could just say, "Sorry, but Black Swan Designs only does authentic reproductions of clothing and your requested alteration cannot be made. We pride ourselves on staying as true to history as possible, and this does not fit within our scope of work..." or something.

My opinion - do the alteration but let the customer know that this isn't an authentic piece and they're only cheapening it (and possibly your reputation) by saying it is.

I decided that anyone who knows me realizes that I know better than to pass this off as historically coirrect, and that the alteration was probably done at the client's instruction. People like this generally boast about the item being a custom deal, so I'm probably off the hook.

I need to stop agonizing over every little thing. I worry far too much. *sigh*

I do like the idea of doing this type of thing under the "Reluctant Swan" label though.... maybe I'll just have to have some labels made up.

Thanks for the input!

Gwen