Lander University Graduate Turns History into Fashion
A Fresh Perspective on Historical Garments
Greenwood, S.C. has a reason to be proud of one particularly fashion-forward scholar. Last spring, Lander University undergraduate, Erynn Bailee Price, was seen making history come alive at the Ninety Six National Historic Site. As part of her academic journey into the past, Price was interpreting the hidden stories of the foundational garments that colonial American women would have worn.
Fast forward to just a few months later, and she found herself crafting doll-size attire for a museum exhibit. This display, which highlighted the American Revolutionary War, was hosted by The Museum in Uppern Greenwood. The outfits that Price created impeccably represented the clothing worn by various classes of women during the period including an upper-class woman, a woman working in her home, an enslaved woman, and a Native American woman.
The Gilded Age and its Influence on Modern Fashion
Price’s senior thesis was an innovative exploration of the advertisements for women’s clothing during the Gilded Age leading up to World War I. With her careful analysis, it became clear that the future of women’s fashions was shaped by advances in technology and a growing trend of women’s participation in sports.
When speaking of her research, Price said, “I particularly enjoyed studying that period in history because it was a time of peace when our nation was not at war. There was a shift in our culture during the Gilded Age. The societal norm of women remaining indoors, being soft and graceful, slowly shifted. Advertisements for women’s clothing began encouraging youth and vitality”.
A Look to the Future
Price’s academic endeavors have led her to pursue history at a higher level of education. Upon her graduation from Lander, she is slated to join the University of South Carolina’s prestigious doctoral program focusing on U.S. cultural history from 1780 – 1910. Her studies will have a special emphasis on women’s clothing from this era and how historical events and culture influenced the fashion trends.
It is not just her intellectual pursuits that make Price notable. Her unique fashion sense and attention to detail that she carries in her day-to-day life are noteworthy. Starting from quirky cloche hats, western boots with fringe, down to colorful fun handbags, the smartly attired Price is assuredly eye-catching.
From Lessons with Grandma to a Ph.D. Program
Her immersion into the world of fashion and sewing began at an early age under the guidance of her grandmother. Price was a quick learner, starting with crafting sock monkeys, moving onto making clothes for American Girl dolls, and eventually designing garments for herself.
The Revolutionary War Period – A Field of Interest
Price’s hometown, Ninety Six, is steeped in Revolutionary War history. So, it’s no surprise that her love for fashion history led to a keen interest in this period. During her undergraduate study at Lander University, one of her professors, Dr. Franklin Rausch, encouraged her interests which led to her designing colonial-era clothing and giving historically accurate presentations at Star Fort. Her meticulous attention to detail and commitment to historical accuracy make her contributions exceptionally distinct and valuable.
Recognition for her Historical Expertise
A reflection of her numerous accolades, the Issaqueena Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, awarded her a DAR Certificate of Appreciation and Medal for her contribution to the museum exhibit. She was also presented with the Dean’s Award from Lander’s College of Behavioral and Social Sciences, and the College of Arts and Humanities honored Price with the XLR Award for her contributions to the student radio station where she hosted a regular radio show shedding light on female performers.
A Promising Future
As she looks to the future, Price expresses her aspiration to contribute to academia after completing her doctoral program through teaching roles and writing books and articles. Despite the initial intimidation of the prospect of graduate school, she remarked, “Meeting other graduate students reassured me. I knew this is where I’m supposed to be. We just clicked.” Her journey from a small town to academia exemplifies her mantra – where there’s a will, there’s a way.
