Research Symposium

BIO

Asia Louis is a first-year Accounting and Creative Writing major at Florida State University, currently serving as a UROP Research Assistant under Mrs. Tara Hackett within the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship. Passionate about exploring overlooked topics, Asia has engaged in diverse research endeavors, including a Textile Analysis project and an extensive Extended Essay that critically examined Orientalism within Memoirs of a Geisha and Hollywood. Her essay, which explored the misrepresentation of Asian people in Western media due to extensive racism and the globalization of cultural narratives, was a significant academic achievement that underscored her dedication to dissecting media bias and cultural erasure. Beyond this, Asia is deeply interested the theme of estrangement in literature—examining how narratives conventional beliefs and structures. She is a Presidential Scholar, the Sponsorship Chair on the Executive Homecoming Committee, and an active member of the Alliance for Black Women.

Preserving the Past: a Textile Analysis of Victorian Petit Point Purses

Abstract

This research analyzes three types of Victorian Petit Point Tapestry purses by examining their construction, story within the design and history. This study is significant because it contributes to the preservation and understanding of the historic items within the Historic Costume Collection at the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship. To achieve a strong understanding in textile object analysis, I have accessioned, organized, and described both historic purses and shoes. Through an immense review of peer-reviewed sources, fashion magazines, and archives, I have gained an understanding of Victorian Petit Tapestry purses and their significance within their historical context. The results show that Petit Point purses were more than just accessories but a reflection of their time period’s, construction methods, materials, and social norms. This research contributes to the ongoing study of Victorian dress, emphasizing the need for further exploration of their cultural history through accessories and clothing. This project lays the groundwork for future research on dress accessories within the Costume Collection, highlighting the significance of these accompanying objects in reflecting the social and cultural norms of their time.

Keywords: Textile, Purses, Victoria, Petit Point Tapestry