If you’re going to Costume College 2019, and have read your class schedule in detail, you may have realised that I’m teaching (yay!), but also wondered why I haven’t mentioned it publicly, like I have in previous years.
Yes, I’ll be at Costume College, and I’m very excited to see everyone, and to be teaching the following class:
Body Ideals & Corsetry: 1900-1930
11-1 on Friday (not 3-5 as shown in the book)
(and am very sad they didn’t pick the other class I offered them, on the history of the suffrage movement across the world, in all its form, and its complicated relationship with fashion, because that was going to be a great class, but ah well, more time to socialise and go to other people’s awesome classes).
But going this year is also very bittersweet. Unless there is a huge (and completely unexpected and unpredicted) alteration in the global situation, it will be my last Costume College ever.
Shortly after booking my tickets and registering for CoCo I realised how bad the climate crisis is.
Given the severity of the situation, and the threat climate change poses to the continuation of almost all life, I no longer feel I can justify flying for business and pleasure.
Obviously this has not been an easy or enjoyable decision to make. I’m still struggling with the consequences of global warming, and feeling a huge amount of guilt about my trip.
I almost decided to not go at all, but the trip will also allow me to see my sister, who I haven’t see in years – and that’s important.
I’m going to talk more about climate change, and what it means for me as a person, and a costumer, but I’m not quite ready.
For now, I’m focusing on having the most wonderful trip possible. I’ve committed to going, I must make the absolute most of it!
And if you’re going to Costume College, I hope you also have an absolutely wonderful trip. And do come and say hi to me while we’re there.
