International Economic History Congress

Abstract

Elda Pavan Cecchele was an Italian hand-weaver who began by producing household linen at the end of the 1930s. She produced hand-woven fabrics for firms such as Salvatore Ferragamo in the early 1950s and Roberta di Camerino from the 1950s to the 1960s; these designers were active on both the Italian and international fashion scene. These fabrics were used in clothing, accessories and furnishings. This article examines Cecchele’s significant contribution to the creation of important fashion items and collections. Like many other artisans, her contribution proved decisive but she worked in the background and had no public recognition. Surviving records from Cecchele’s workshop, including samples, design notebooks, designs and documents, are now in a private archive. Access to this material, together with numerous interviews with her former customers and collaborators, have enabled her abilities to be rediscovered and the re-evaluation of her artistic contribution to Italian fashion.     

研究经济史的一些体会

由于战争环境和时代思潮的动荡,我的学生生活非常曲折。我曾经历北洋工学院、清华大学、北京大学,学过工科、理科、经济和历史,非常杂,都没学好。但是,后来我在专业经济史研究中,却发现过去学的一点点理工知识(尤其数学)很有用。我学过的献学,连同童年在私塾读的经,也都常派上用场。这里的一个体会是：做学问必须专,专才能精;但又要有比较广泛的知识,博而后专,大有好处。