Vasiljev brought a unique exhibition to Lithuania – that’s why Šiauliai is worth going to

The exhibition links leather goods and leather goods fashion. Each of them has a long and significant history. Leather clothing and footwear have come a long way from their direct protection and warming function and have become not only an important part of the suit but also a symbol and an integral part of the image of some subcultures (jeans, rockers , bikers, punks). ) and practicality and durability skin application at home.

It can be speculated that leather upholstery designed to protect the body from the inconvenience of nature originated some four hundred thousand years ago. This is evidenced by the discovery of leather processing tools, and archaeological research shows that there was already germinating leather. Over time and with the development of technology, leather upholstery has partially lost the functions associated with protecting the body from adverse weather conditions, but it has begun to occupy an important place in the history of warfare. Over time, leather clothing and accessories have taken a strong position in shaping image, status, individuality, or collective identity.

In later periods, when the tannery had an impact on social and political life, the population of cities with successful tannery workshops increased as people moved to live where they hoped to find a job. In the 18th century, the leather industry became part of economic policy, as early as the 19th century. As the technological revolution accelerates, the mechanization of leather processing processes is helping to speed up leather processing processes and increase production volumes.

Šiauliai can be called the city of furriers. One of the best tanners was Chaim Frenkel (1857-1920). 1879 bought a small leather processing workshop from a local Jew in Šiauliai and began to develop the leather business. 1894 Ch. Frankel began making the sole out of leather. It perfected the process of tanning the skin and even then produced “red soles” that were extremely resistant to moisture. Raudonieji padas was in great demand in the market and made Ch. Frenkel leather factory. Its success also spurred the emergence of other leather processing companies in Šiauliai, here in the 19th century. pab. The tanneries of the Wolf brothers and Boris Nurok, the Naum and Solomon Choronzicki brothers and the Rogalin brothers were established and developed successfully.

“Leather and Fashion” is the fifth exhibition of the Alexandre Vassiliev Foundation in the department of the Šiauliai Museum “Aušra”, the villa of Chaim Frenkel. This exhibition differs from the previous ones in that it is completed by co-creating the exhibition concept. Most of the exhibition consists of artifacts from the Alexandre Vassiliev Foundation collection, the exhibition is supplemented by exhibits from the Šiauliai Aušra Museum and other Lithuanian museum collections: archaeological and historical exhibits from the Lithuanian National, Lithuanian Aviation, Kernavė Archaeological Site and Ukmergė Museum of Local History.

The Alexandre Vassiliev Foundation exhibits from 1860 to 2000. sets of period clothing, individual clothing and accessories created by fashion designers and famous fashion houses: Christian Dioro, Givenchy, Thierry Mugler, Pierreo Cardino and others. Historical and archaeological exhibits from the Šiauliai Aušra Museum collections are on display, and the shoe collection from the Elnis shoe factory is on display.

The clothing and accessories on display at the exhibition speak of the connection between fashion and leather only in part, because the subject is so broad and has many lines. They are presented in more detail: footwear (the footwear exhibited dates from the 8th-10th centuries until the end of the 20th century), an aviator jacket and leather clothing for musical chorus. The theme of the aviator jacket reveals the transformation of the leather jacket, designed to protect the pilot from adverse weather conditions while flying, into a popular garment in the world of music and film and designed to create an image that later it became an integral part of everyday life. wardrobe in many people’s closets and wardrobes.

The exhibition will remain open until 2022. January 16

Entrance to the museum – 5 EUR, discounted – 2.50 EUR.