My Regency Recap of 2021
In the beginning of the year with the continuing woes of the world, I would have never imagined a new purpose in life. I would have also never thought I could meet new friends during a pandemic, but I did and I even made one overseas (shout out to Kat). I most certainly would have never dreamed that joining an organization would lead to a new business for me, but it has. I only wish, I would have joined sooner.
When I signed up for JASNA (Jane Austen Society of North America) in July, I did so just wanting to gain access to the abundance of articles written by Jane Austen scholars. I was re-reading Emma as part of my new tradition to read my favorite books every year. For Jane's novels, I had decided to read the books in the order they were published and by the time I got to her 4th published novel I found myself wanting to know more facts about her life and her influences. Sure enough, most of the articles I wanted to read was in the Persuasion Journals and so I joined JASNA to gain access to the articles and essays.
Then a week after I became a member, JASNA announced that registration was open to their Annual General Meeting and although I was afraid of traveling due to the pandemic, I decided to go. At that point I had not left Manhattan for 16 months, let alone my neighborhood for 8 months. But something was just calling me to the AGM and I was rewarded with a renewed sense of passion for fashion once again.
Below, are the gowns I made for fellow Janeites that ended up on the promenade stage and a few other memories.
Kristin, Jillian and Cori wearing The Dashwood Sisters gowns.
Me wearing my gown inspired by Jane Austen's blue dress
Lindsay Allison wearing the Lizzy gown.
Joy Prevost wearing our Mrs. Jennings gown.
Maryellen Kosydar wearing a chambray Regency inspired gown.
Becky Dolin volunteers in my long sleeved Regency chambray gown at the JASNA AGM 2021.
Lindsay, Me and Alyssa at the JASNA AGM Ball.
The First Jane Austen Collection by Jennyvi debuted at the JASNA AGM 2021