Delve into the festivities: exploring the origins of this season's essential fashion trend
In the heart of London, the critically endangered craft of hand fan-making is being revitalized by Denise Frankel and her sister Janis, who co-founded Rockcoco - the first fan-making company in the city for a century [6][7]. Their passion for this ancient craft stems from its rich history and cultural significance [1][2][4][5].
Hand fans have roots tracing back to early civilizations, with evidence of their use found in Tutankhamun's tomb [3]. Fans arrived in Europe via medieval traders and crusaders' travels to the Far East, eventually becoming popular in royal courts. Queen Catherine de' Medici of France, for instance, was known to enjoy feather fans and folding fans [2].
The sisters faced challenges in finding suitably skilled artisans for fan-making, ultimately journeying to Spain to source talent [8]. However, their efforts were rewarded as they managed to track down one woman in her nineties still able to make double-sided fans [9].
The Worshipful Company of Fan Makers, a guild dedicated to preserving the craft, is working alongside West Dean College in West Sussex to develop a certified diploma in fan-making [10]. This initiative aims to ensure the survival of the craft and pass on traditional skills to a new generation of artisans.
MacIver Percival's book "The Fan Book," published in 1920, provides an extensive history of hand fans [11]. English fan-makers, influenced by French trends, produced topical fans ranging from celebratory to commemorative themes [12]. North Italian cities developed an independent fan-making industry from the 15th century [13].
Titian's portrait showcases a lady holding a small flag fan, reflecting Venice's specialization in the craft [14]. Personal folding fans as fashion accessories were present in Japan from about the 6th century [1].
In today's Britain, hand fans can be spotted on public transport and at events like Wimbledon, Lord's Test, and Glastonbury during the current summer [15]. Denise Frankel appreciates the bold graphics of Art Deco era fans, while her vintage hand fans, though delicate, broke due to their age [16].
As hand fans continue to make a comeback as stylish accessories, they remain a testament to the enduring allure of ancient craftsmanship and the adaptability of cultural symbols in the modern world.
[1] Personal folding fans as fashion accessories were present in Japan from about the 6th century. [2] Queen Catherine de' Medici of France enjoyed feather fans and folding fans. [3] Fans were discovered in Tutankhamun's tomb, indicating their use in early civilizations. [4] Fans have a history spanning thousands of years, originally serving practical purposes for cooling and evolving into important cultural and artistic symbols. [5] They are being observed on public transport and at events like Wimbledon, Lord's Test, and Glastonbury during the current British summer. [6] In 2014, Denise Frankel and sister Janis co-founded the first fan-making company in London for a century, named Rockcoco. [7] Denise Frankel's sister had a background in accessories, having worked in their father's City of London millinery company. [8] The sisters had to travel to Spain to find suitably skilled artisans for fan-making. [9] They managed to track down one woman in her nineties still able to make double-sided fans. [10] The Worshipful Company of Fan Makers is developing a certified diploma in fan-making with West Dean College in West Sussex. [11] MacIver Percival wrote about the history of fans in his book "The Fan Book" in 1920. [12] English fan-makers, influenced by French trends, produced topical fans ranging from celebratory to commemorative themes. [13] North Italian cities developed an independent fan-making industry from the 15th century. [14] Titian's portrait shows a lady holding a small flag fan, reflecting Venice's specialization in the craft. [15] Hand fans have a history spanning thousands of years, originally serving practical purposes for cooling and evolving into important cultural and artistic symbols. [16] Denise Frankel appreciates the bold graphics of Art Deco era fans. Denise Frankel's vintage hand fans were delicate and some broke due to their age.
Hand fans, with roots traced back to ancient civilizations, have found a modern resurgence in fashion-and-beauty and home-and-garden aesthetics. Denise Frankel, co-founder of Rockcoco, the first fan-making company in London for a century, has incorporated these historical accessories into her lifestyle, cherishing the bold graphics of Art Deco era fans despite some vintage pieces breaking due to age.
