Lecture: "Research and Visualization of Ukrainian Costume (16th–18th Centuries): Sources, Technologies, and Myths"

Speaker: Nataliia Skornyakova — PhD student at the Department of History (NTUU KPI), researcher of historical clothing and ancient tailoring, and creator of the YouTube channel "Dress, Powder, and a Pair of Scissors" (Plattia, pudra, para nozhyts).

How is a scientifically accurate image of the past born when a historian steps out of the office? I invite you to a conversation about the "inner workings" of researching early modern Ukrainian dress.

We will follow the path from the monotonous processing of hundreds of archival citations and data charts to exciting expeditions in search of forgotten iconostases in rural churches. I will share how working with original artifacts changes our perception of the era. You will learn why reconstruction is not just about sewing a costume, but a rigorous scientific method: from experiments with natural dyes to recreating authentic braids and embroidery. We will also examine how erroneous drawings have migrated from book to book for decades, creating a distorted visual history that it is time to revise.

The lecture will feature demonstrations of specific fabric samples and elements of reconstructions, as a true understanding of costume is impossible without hands-on experience, which carries as much weight as an archival quote. This lecture is about the thorny but incredibly fascinating journey from an archival discovery to a living, tangible object. I look forward to seeing everyone who wants to view history through the lens of methodology and the researcher’s personal experience!

• Format: In-person lecture.

• Venue: Kyiv House of Scientists (45a Volodymyrska St.).

• Metro: "Zoloti Vorota," "Teatralna."

• In case of an air raid: The nearest shelter is the "Zoloti Vorota" metro station.

• Admission: Free. Registration is required.