Hello all,
When I did my articles on the costumes of the Rhaetian peoples, I had very little information on the costume of the Ampezzo valley. I have received new information, and so will talk about it now.
Cortina d'Ampezzo, in Ladin Anpezo, is in the northwest corner of the province of Belluno in the region of Veneto. It is one of the five valleys in which the majority of people speak the Ladin language. It is shown in green on this map.
There are four costumes which are currently worn by the women of this valley for special occasions, one of which is a revival of an older style. I will be giving costume terminology in the Ladin language.
1. Ra Vècia
This means 'the old one'. This costume was worn in Anpezo up till the middle of the 19th cent. Originally it was worn with a jacket that had large cuffs. The first print shown is from Emma Calderini, and the second one from 'Trachten den Alpenlaender' by Hans von Hammerstein. The second print also shows the bodice, with a necklace and part of the chemise on the hanger.
Here is a drawing of how the revived dress is worn today.
The foundation garment was a chemise of linen with lace around the collar.
A petticoat was worn, in winter this would be of red wool flannel.
The two prints above seem to show that the skirt and bodice were separate, the skirt being made of black or naturally dark wool, and the bodice of any color, with ribbon or lace trim, and laced up the front. Today the bodice and skirt are sewn together and both are usually black.
This garment has survived as part of the newer versions of the costume. Here is a schematic showing a newer version of the neckline. This garment is called ciamesoto.
As you can see from the drawings above, an embroidered or brocade plastron was worn under the bodice and was visible behind the lacings. This adds a very elegant and decorative touch. This was stiffened with cardboard or by other means.
A very full apron of brocade or printed cloth is worn with this costume, The skirt barely shows at the bottom and in the back where the apron almost meets. At this time the apron is tied in front with a ribbon. The skirt today is adorned with a gold galoon. Knit socks and leather shoes with buckles are worn.
The felt hat shows Austrian influence, and is not shown in older drawings or photographs.
Silver jewelry is worn, drop earrings, a chain with a cross or medallion, and hair pins. The hair is arranged in braids which are gathered at the nape of the neck. A large hairpin with filligree heads on both ends secures the bun. Above this is inserted another pin with a head on one end.
Formerly widows covered the bun with a small linen coif.
This is a very colorful and graceful costume, and I am glad that it has been revived. Some more images of ra vècia.
The other three versions of the costume postdate 1850, and I will cover them in another article.
Thank you for reading, I hope that you have found this interesting.
Feel free to contact me with requests for research. I hope to eventually cover all of Europe and the Former Russian Empire/Soviet Union. I also gratefully accept tips on source materials which i may not have. I also accept commissions to research/design, sew, and/or embroider costumes or other items for groups or individuals. I also choreograph and teach folk dance.
Roman K.
Source Material:
Amelia Menardi Illing, 'Il Costume in Ampezzo', Cortina, 1995
Emma Calderini, 'Il Costume Popolare in Italia', Milan, 1953
Uta Radakovich, 'Costume Tradizionali dell'AltoAdige/Suedtirol', Trento, 2009
Hans Von Hammerstein, 'Trachten der Alpenlaender', Vienna, 1937
Rudolf Fochler, 'Trachten in Oesterreich', Wels, 1980