Salut tout le monde!
Bienvenu!
Growing up was difficult, my mom became a teenage single parent while struggling with trauma, neurospicy, and dyslexia*. One of the very few ways she connected was through her eclectic knowledge of history, architecture, art, and music. Those things literally became my love languages.
When I was little, I knew my family ties originated in Quebec, So I would try and find anything remotely related to French to read or watch. I took French in school, poured through Quebecois family records, and traced a lot of my origins back to France. My first solo trip ever ended up being to France to experience the culture firsthand. I fell in love with it, in more ways than one. If you haven’t guessed by now, I’m a touch of a Francophile. I probably consume more literature and media in French at this point in my life, so I apologize in advance for any lapses in French.
So naturally I gravitate towards French History. I chose the late 14th and early 15th century as my focus because I loved the changes and innovations in fashion, culture, and tech that occurred after the plague. It set the stage for the Renaissance to come in and the foundations of our modern world. Also, I like the fact that I can wear shiny silks and bits of velvet, it fits my figure well without the need for a restricting corset. It’s become clothing instead of a costume.
My passion for medieval French culture led me back to school, I’m now close to finishing my degree in Art history with a minor in anthropology, although life circumstances have delayed me from finishing for the moment.
So why the Maghreb? Again when I was little, my mom had a phase where she was interested in the Sahara, and she taught me to write my name in Arabic. One of the only things she could write, so it was deeply meaningful and a core memory. And so started a light fascination with the Tuareg. During my travels to Paris, I met someone, A geology nerd who happened to be Kabyle. He was one of the first people who was able to make me feel safe. And a promise was made, and I found myself deep in the study of the Amazigh culture of the Maghreb. That relationship unfortunately didn’t last, but I was given honorary Kabyle status, and the warmth from the culture still remains a comfort to me in the chaotic life here.
I also discovered through DNA testing, that my maternal haplogroup has ties to the Tuareg and Amazigh people in general, and depending on the update, I'm shown having traces of DNA from the region. But that is for its own post someday.
I also dabble in cooking, hiking, architecture, anthropology, geology, music, and art. And there are a few of these subjects seeping into my studies here. My goal isn’t just to recreate the garments, but to get into the culture and mindset of the medieval world.
*I also have a bit of trauma, neurosipcy, and dyslexic tendencies. If it were not for modern spell check and predictive text I'd not be where I am today. Cohesive writing takes a lot for me to achieve, so please forgive me if things end up a little backward or switched around.
Given that I am an independent researcher, this blog takes a lot of time, and effort, and research materials are not always free. ( If you want to support my content please find me on Patreon, visit my Amazon shop, buy me a book from my Wishlist, or order a print from my fabric designs. when I get them set up that is)
If you have questions or feedback feel free to use the Contact Me form, or send me an email @ ravenrcutrano@gamil.com
Bon Journee a tous!
YIS The Honourable Lady Isabelle Montfort De Bretagne
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