Volscina: Difference between revisions
Added fashion and design section :)
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===Late Imperial===
===Cryrian Union and the Great War===
===Confederal Era===
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==Geography, Climate, and Environment==
===Geography
===Climate===
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===Language===
===Architecture===
===Art===
===Literature===
===Philosphy===
===Fashion and Design===
Popular throughout Novaris and the rest of the world, Volscine fashion has a long-standing tradition of innovation, fueled by the textile industry of Volscina. The main fashion capitals of the Volscine Empire are Cadrigrano, Tramonto, Videnza, and Acaimo, with Cadrigrano generally regarded as the most influential, both historically and in the modern day. Volscine fashion companies are viewed as desirable luxury brands worldwide, and have amassed significant popularity, even outside of Novaris. Some notable examples of Volscine fashion labels include Acardi, Vici, Setagrano, Moseri, Passi & Bellardi, San Durante, and Fusco, to name a few. Additionally, Volscine jewelry proves a popular part of the fashion industry, notable jewelers such as Perin, Primato, and Grande Gioie supplying the demand for jewels and jewelry domestically and internationally. Volscine fashion mixes tradition and innovation, re-popularizing historical trends while also encouraging creative fashion and young design talent.
====History of Fashion===
Volscina has historically been a crossroads for merchant ships, many of which came bearing dyes, silks, and fine cloths. Major ports along the Asciec Channel were especially involved in the trade of luxury goods, notably the city of Cadrigrano, capital of the nation of the same name, and modern Imperial capital of the Volscine Empire. Cadrigrano not only imported and processed the goods required to produce and export attire for the affluent and influential in medieval Novaris, the city and its surrounding farmlands produced both cloth and silk, the latter of which was introduced by Sayqidi merchants in the late twelfth century.
The Volscine Renaissance was a period of prosperity and invention, and that extended to the fashion of the region. As average wealth increased, a wider class of merchants emerged between the peasantry and the nobility, sparking massively increased demands for colored silks and cloths. Companies that still exist to the modern day such as Acardi and San Durante were originally founded in the fifteenth century to meet the demand for luxury clothing. Vibrant colors, wide-brimmed hats, and flared clothing defined the style at the time, creating some of the most iconic and exuberant examples of dress for the Volscine merchant class. This style somewhat extended to the nobility as well, though historical texts and depictions seem to indicate they favored subdued colors of silk mixed with gold and silver, a clearer indication of wealth. Another detail of note for the time is ornamental weaponry, which most often came in the form of gilded and engraved daggers in ornately decorated sheaths, but also extended to larger bladed swords and even some early pistols.
As the expansion of the merchant class expanded the fashion economy threefold, the establishment and enrichment of the middle class in the 18th century saw it grow tenfold, millions of families and individuals suddenly able to afford previously unattainable clothing. Coinciding with lowered prices from factory production of cloth, this 'Second Fashion Renaissance' popularized colorful suits and gowns throughout Volscina, often accompanied by visible but subdued displays of wealth in the form of jewelry, most commonly earrings and necklaces. Heraldic sashes and badges also became widespread as the concept of heraldry spread to encompass anyone who could afford to commission a coat of arms for their family, and not simply the noble class. These were waist or shoulder-to-waist strung sashes in the heraldic colors of the wearer, often accompanied by a small shield-shaped badge worn on the left side of the breast. This practice is suspected to be drawn from the tilt shields of Volscine knights, which at the time had recently seen a resurgence in popularity.
The end of the old Volscine Empire following the [[Great War]] came with a change in popular fashion, more conventional Novaran suits and dresses partially supplanting the traditional clothing of Volscina. That isn’t to say Volscine fashion was replaced, however, it simply adapted to the clothing of its time, making it its own. Clothing from this era drew inspiration from Aponivia and Tretrid as trade re-opened between the previously warring nations.
====Knightly Attire====
An important but oft-overlooked piece of Volscine fashion that remains relevant in modern culture is that of knightly clothing, both that of war attire and dress attire. Since the thirteenth century, fashion in armor has been almost as important as the quality of the armor itself, elegantly fluted or engraved plate indicating a knight’s relative power or influence under their lord or within their order. Brightly colored of cloth came into play alongside metal in the form of rich cloaks and the back banners sometimes born into battle, thin poles of hollowed wood mounted to the back of a knight’s chestplate so that all could see their heraldry. Brigandine, covered plate, fur collars, and full tabards also served to enhance a knight’s presence. Some notable examples of historical knightly fashion include the Paladins of the Knights of the Sun ([[Volscine Norvian]]: I Cavalieri Solari]], who wore robes of gold and white alongside scarlet cloaks, the symbol of the sun mounted in gold above their helmets like a halo, attached to the back in a similar method to back banners, as well as the Knights Vuoto, black tabards and cloaks lined with silver and white culminating in striking helmet plumes. Infamously, the Sable Dragoons of the Knights Vuoto mounted large forward-curved wings on their backs, serving both to intimidate their enemies and to show their dedication to the sun goddess [[Lucerism|Lucera]]
Today, knightly dress draws on inspiration from various periods in history, and combines them with the sensibilities of modern fashion. Dress attire is typically not dissimilar to the dress uniforms of national militaries, albeit with the inclusion of partial plate armor. Sashes, brocades, tilt shields, cloaks, and medallions are all common additions to knightly dress, typically in relation to certain orders, honors, or ranks of service. While not strictly knighted, this often extends to the Condottieri, who wear partial plate for more formal dress functions.
====Modern Fashion====
Contemporary fashion in Volscina is a blend of chique, innovative design and traditional techniques of silk and cloth work, blending smoothly together to form a distinctive style. Common casual Volscine clothing includes short sleeved shirts, pants, shorts, skirts, and shorter dresses, without many layers. The Volscine climate is warm throughout most of the year, and as such the most popular styles and designs are those comfortable to wear even on a hot summer day.
Regional styles are most prevalent in the north, the mountains, and by the coast, where styles adapt to fit the setting. The more temperate temperatures in northern Volscina make light coats and flannels a common sight, even more so in the much colder heights of the Virennic Mountains. By the coast one can observe the extensive Volscine swimsuit industry, as well as stylish sunglasses made by popular brands such as Ombra and Russo-Zanetti.
==See Also==
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