V

iviane Chen is a western historical costume and textile specialist, reconstructing, restoring and conserving clothes from the past and the present day.

In working with rare garments, she has travelled between periods and events, immersing herself in the culture of the time, from Shakespeare’s plays to the servants’ quarters of a Victorian household, from a Baroque-era masquerade ball to the coronation of Queen Victoria.

Viviane arrived in London from Taiwan (via France) in 2007, with passion for designers and fashion houses whose work made rich reference to historical tailoring – Galliano, Westwood, Burberry. Since graduating from the Costume Interpretation degree course at Wimbledon College of Arts, her extensive work with primary sources when mounting existing historical garments has helped her achieve “truly faithful reconstruction”. “It’s been a privilege to be able to study those original garments and learn historical sewing techniques that are such a big part of recreating authentic silhouettes.”

Viviane is currently attending the MPhil Textile Conservation course at the University of Glasgow, to consolidate and extend her skills in conservation.