Here Edmonds examines a period correct 18th century gown. Bob Ruegsegger/freelance ... “We want to find patterns from that time period.” Study collections provide examples of real garments.

Meaning, her mid-18th-century noblewoman’s gowns (think Marie Antoinette ... Ngwara doesn’t use patterns, and as a result some of her pieces have an improbably futuristic feel to them.

With a costume designer friend they created an 18th century gown and within a room filled with the dresses worn by history's most influential characters from Elizabeth I to Coco Chanel.