Ancestral Handbag History with Curator Jessica Harpley

The Photo Detective

This week, Maureen Taylor, The Photo Detective, is joined by Jessica Rose Harpley, an Assistant Curator at The Victoria and Albert Museum in London. Specifically, Jessica works in the Department of Performance, Furniture, and Textiles.

Maureen and Jessica discuss one of Victoria and Albert’s latest exhibits which Jessica helped curate. Called, “Bags: Inside Out” the exhibit examines the role that bags, be it handbags, briefcases, and yes, the Queen’s tiny purses are mentioned, and what role they have played throughout the centuries in regards to fashion. From frivolousness to practicality, this episode looks at these accessories and how a single item can tell a very interesting story about the individual holding it.

Related Episodes:

Episode 132: The Wedding Detectives Charlotte Sibtain and Cole Moreton

Episode 119: Dressing for the Camera: Rules Our Foremothers Followed and Sometimes Broke

Links:

• Bags Inside Out Exhibit at the Victoria and Albert Museum
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About My Guest:

Jessica Rose Harpley is an Assistant Curator at The Victoria and Albert Museum in London, England, within The Department of Performance, Furniture, Textiles, and Fashion, having formerly worked within The Costume and Textile Department at Norwich Castle Museum. Jessica has a Master’s degree in Fashion Cultures from The London College of Fashion, and has published on the chatelaine, exploring their use and representation within Victorian Britain. She has specific interests in the nineteenth and early twentieth century, including gender theory and the construction of the self via dress; and, the dissemination and representation of fashion, most notably through women’s periodicals.

About Maureen Taylor:

Maureen is a frequent keynote speaker on photo identification, photograph preservation, and family history at historical and genealogical societies, museums, conferences, libraries, and other organizations across the U.S., London, and Canada. She’s the author of several books and hundreds of articles and her television appearances include The View and The Today Show (w

I'm thrilled to be offering something new. Photo investigations. These collaborative one-on-one sessions. Look at your family photos then you and I meet to discuss your mystery images. And find out how each clue and hint might contribute to your family history. Find out more by going to maureentaylor.com and clicking on family photo investigations.

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