Rajiv Surendra Tours The New York Metropolitan Museum of Art : Tweed
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- Опубликовано: 7 фев 2025
- When Rajiv visits a museum, he's often inspired by objects and art that somehow have an influence on his everyday activities and pursuits. Today Rajiv goes behind-the-scenes at the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute with Associate Collections Manager Marci Morimoto to take a close look at a tweed bicycling suit from the late 1800s.
Featuring: Cycling suit, www.metmuseum....
1896-98. American. Wool, leather, silk, linen, cotton. Brooklyn Museum Costume Collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Gift of the Brooklyn Museum, 2009; Mr and Mrs. Morton Sultzer, 1979. (2009.300.532a-d). © The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
For more information on Rajiv's friend Deborah and her handwoven cloth, please visit www.uppercanadaweaving.com
Rajiv is an old soul who remembers what it was like in another life.
I am so impressed with his tweed suit his very talented friend made !
As a New Yorker who goes to the Met often, this was a surprise and real treat to see behind the scenes. You’ve also inspired me to have something handmade.
Another great video! Some light feedback to improve the interviews: even if you're well informed on the topic, ask questions that allow the expert to share their knowledge, and then reinforce their answer with your personal experience (which can lead into the next question). This makes for a more flowing interview, and gives the expert an opportunity to bring in more details and research.
For example, ask "Why did they use fabrics like silk as a lining?", "What are the disadvantages of using synthetic linings?", "When I had my suit made, I asked for the highest arm holes possible. What are the benefits of high arm holes? Why are they not as common now?", etc.
The interviewer can act as a surrogate for the audience, who is learning the subject for the first time. Relay your personal experience as an example, or as a basis to ask the expert for their thoughts and advice. Even if you have shared expertise, it's often helpful to ask questions as if you don't know much.
Thanks so much for the expert feedback, David!
What a DELIGHT! And now I want to know more about Marcy's dress. From what I understand, linen is the only fabric that actually gets stronger when it's wet, which is a good thing because it can tolerate the whole washing process of: "soaking, washing, rinsing, boiling, rinsing, bluing, starching, hanging, drying, sprinkling, pulling, folding, ironing." (From "Clothing And Health" by Helen Kinne, 1917)
THANK you, Marci's dress was on point! Love the whole tactile, organic appreciation of fabric.
Marci has a dream job for sure!! And I love how she's wearing the old-style shoes. My grandmother never did stop wearing them, even into the 1980s! Thank you Rajiv for bringing us this wonderful video. So interesting
Rajiv looks so dapper! Im really enjoying the craftsmanship and attention to detail. Love seeing old clothing preserved. I need to visit the Met
As a fellow Torontonian, I love that your tweed suit is made from Ontario wool, by Debra. I have some items that are handmaid by local artisans as well and it's a source of great pride to know I'm wearing something made by a neighbour, that they sat with for hours and put so much love into ☺️❤️
🙄 🙄 who cares
People that are very very interested in textiles care very much about where and how the textile is made down to the weight and use of the textile. It makes us happy and we appreciate and value it
@@charlesbeloved7951obviously everyone here cares. Apathy is lame. Unf*ck the world.
@@charlesbeloved7951 um, I think we all do, after all, that’s what Rajiv is all about. Wearing and supporting hand craft in all things.
@@anthonymatthews3698 yeah but this hussy is all about Canada this Canada that Canada Canada canada… so annoying 🙄
Raijiv is the definition of a distinguished gentleman 🕴️ 👏 🙌
I find your passion about art, life and making life so beautiful...🌻❤love your channel..
Such a dapper looking young man.You're quite the old soul Rajiv. Thank you for these unique videos🙏
I know what you mean! Seeing hand stitching is like looking into antique mirrors or seeing pencil sketches; it feels like such an immediate, intimate connection with the creator/previous owner. Don't you wonder if, in 150 years, someone will feel that same connection with you? It's incredible to consider.
As a former spinner and weaver my preference was always to work with natural fibers. It's amazing the "feel" of the finished yardage when comparing it to synthetic options. Personally, I can't stand to wear polyester, etc. Even now I try hard when looking to replace worn clothing to find something all natural or nearly so. It makes a difference for sure.
I feel as you and Rajiv do about comfortable natural fibers and materials. We live where the climate is hot and humid and lightweight cottons or linens are our natural go-to fabrics. They feel and wear comfortably and suit the environment. I have a 20 year old Irish linen shirt that grows softer with age and decades later, still looks fresh and new after ironing. It's great to hear comments from professionals like you about their experiences with fabrics and other materials that withstand time and transcends generations. Some of the greatest vintage finds are old cashmere and tweed coats for men and women that are hand made and lined in silk. Especially when they look as fresh and beautiful as the day they were purchased a long time ago at small, and not so small custom shops. I call these finds a squeal and bounce in excitement moment, because that's usually my reaction when I find one of these garments at a thrift store.
Rajiiiiiv! 2 videos in a row? Thanks so much for making my weekend and life more delicious!!! Love you as we all do!!! Love love love your suit as well!!!!
How can you be this gentle? A big fan of yours😊
I’d like to think that everyone that i have gifted a crocheted item to, has the same love for it that Rajiv has for his suit.
I sure they cherish your gifts.
Just incredible. A lost art the tailor or seamstress of our past. My mother was a seamstress and made her own wedding dress and undergarments. I can't imagine the amount of creativity she possessed and the patience and skill needed from start to finish. FYI her dress was beyond beautiful, you could see that through my father's eyes. TY
That is such a lovely, sweet story. Thank you for sharing.
You are so young but I feel you have an old soul. I love your passion for life . Watching you from Portugal . Thank you 💟 for all the work that goes into your channel 🙂
I love tweed, too. I used to wear tweed - off the rack pieces but still very nicely made way back in the day - but now I live in a warm climate so tweed and wool are too warm. I still have a few hoarded pieces of tweed fabric, though, because they’re beautiful to me and I can’t let them go. This video was a treat. The Met was my favorite museum when I lived in NYC a million years ago (also the Museum of Natural History), but I never got to look behind the scenes, so this was fascinating. Thank you! I’m enjoying your channel very much. 🙂
Whenever I'm in a warm country, I love wearing linen!
@@rajivsurendra Linen is my favorite now. 💖
I live in a warm climate too so my go to fabric is linen; and linen sheets are amazing.
@@andersdottir1111 I’ve never tried linen sheets. Mine are crisp cotton. I made some linen pillowcases with crocheted lace edges, though, and I love those. They get softer and better with age. 🙂
I know, I never get this, either. Polyester is, quite literally, a plastic, and it feels terrible on my skin. I only buy dresses that are 100% natural fiber, like linen, bamboo, cotton, silk. But because these are really hard to come by I usually just buy the fabric, and have them made by my trustee local tailor in India, where I usually spend my winters. Flip flops also, only bespoke, so that they fit my foot shape and the length of my toes, and the leather straps are neither too wide nor tight. I then wear these garments for years and years, and it always makes so happy and feel so oddly satisfied when I put them on.
Where are you favorite places to shop for this dresses? I don’t have the money to buy the fabric and get it made bespoke yet but I would love to shop once in a while!
@@asalwaysashntir I buy the fabric at Pothys, in Pondicherry, for silk, or for locally sourced and produced bamboo, in Auroville.
@@asalwaysashntir I think in India it makes no difference, price wise,whether it's off the rack, or tailor made
When in college, I interned for a law firm and the partner took me out to lunch and I went for my first fitting for a made to measure suit. The level of detail makes the suit yours and yours alone. When I saw Rajiv in this suit for the 1st time, I stared in awe as it is simply beautiful. As we learn more about his design choices, the more impressed one should be. Rajiv is a small-framed guy yet, he clearly refuses to bow to current styling trends of ultra tight sizings. The cut of his suit is classically timeless.
First phone call Rajiv made after this interview was calling Deborah for more tweed. 2nd phone call he made was to his tailor requesting him to make a pair of gaiters. 😊 Actually, equestrians who are showing often wear tweed. I no longer show but I still do a lot of trail riding and, especially in winter (lots of snow and mud where I live), I regularly wear gaiters. They're warm, practical and great protection against brush and the occasional rattle snake.
Thank you Rajiv for taking us along today
Its always an amazing privilege to view your channels content.
Impactful, powerful, enchanting -touching the lives of so many.
You have discovered your many talents, we are blessed you take the time and trouble to teach, share and give it away.
Hope you never tire of creating these productions and your exciting passion, joy and desire to educate us will continue. There is so much for us to learn - thank you for bringing us along on the adventure.
That tweed bicycling suit is just fantastic. I'd wear it today, seriously. It would be wonderful to look more closely at the collection of beautiful clothes at the end of the segment.
Rajiv can be talking about the history of cabinet door hinges, I will listen. He discusses everything so thoroughly and enthusiastically! His videos are soothing to me.
The way people dressed when there was no other option than natural fibers… no bad options! Even if you didn’t have money, the shapes of clothing were just so beautiful and carefully thought out. It’s so interesting to think about how clothing fits into the way people live and the way they look with architecture we inhabit at different points in history and different places in the world.
it’s an amazing collection. so wonderful for a creative person such as yourself to be able to see this, a wellspring of inspiration.
I wonder if we could ever go back to when we had clothes that we loved for years on end. ( I actually do have some old favourites). Splendid quality has a lot to give and appreciate. It would make a lot of people redundant but it might also save all that landfill that would never rot down.
The commercially woven wool fabrics from over 60 years ago ( my childhood and my mother sewing garments for me) was at such a higher quality than today. Ditto for cellulose fibers, too. It begins with the quality of the raw fiber, then how well it was/is spun by the mills. I think most wool yardage is made in China now and is of a lower quality.. Thank you for this. Wonderful.
I love tweed, too! It's hard to find, though.
Wonderful visit to the Met, I missed out on that area the only time I visited, so sad.
You just have to come back again! 🗽😊
Ah Rajiv. Once more you take us on a fascinating tour. Who would have thought a story about tweed could be so interesting. There is so much to be learned and I’m sorry I am not in New York anymore. Miss it. Thanks to Ms Marimoto for her explanations and the history tour. What a nice and knowledgeable lady. And thanks Rajiv. You have awakened my curiosity to learn more about fabrics and their history
You tend to cut people off a little bit. Maybe let the experts speak and see what thoughts you want to add in post. I love the attention to detail and your passion for so many subjects. This isn't meant to be rude so I hope it translates as constructive criticism.
Love this!
I made my own wedding dress that was silk + silk + silk--fabric + lining + thread. I thought that it would be worn once and I wanted every part of the dress to be the best as luxurious as possible. (I knew using silk thread was too strong for the fabric, but wanted it to be 100% silk...) I had to source European silk as it was on the bias, and couldn't find silk wide enough otherwise. I remember so much about my dress...as it was such a large part of getting prepared for our wedding.
Rajiv, if you get another suit made (or other such garment), please document the whole process...thank you for sharing!
Wow! Wow! And very wow!
Dearest Rajiv, You always hold a special for the nuance and fine details of everything that is lovely and worthwhile. Paying particular attention to quality, the caliber of garments we choose, the ingredients in the food we consume, the value we place on the cycles that enable us to enjoy these precious resources, elevates us as individuals, enhances the beauty in our lives, and in turn heightens our awareness of the importance of the tenderness we can cultivate through these habits of care that fosters humility in the gift of this life we have. You are a spectacular human being who we are all so privileged to get to know and to observe life through your beautiful eyes. Thank you from my heart to yours. 💜
I agree with every word you said. 😊
Should have read “special place for nuance…”
So kind of you to comment. 💛
I had a little chuckle when you were shown the ladies' riding skirt/pants combo. Bernadette Banner, another RUclipsr made a pair of those for herself on her channel, she referred to them as "Secret Pants" the fact being that in the later part of the 19th-century and early 20th century, pants for women were still thought of as inappropriate by some classes. Even as late as the 1950s a friend of mine told me when she went to grade school if a girl were suspected of wearing culottes the teacher would make her stand with her legs apart to see if she was wearing culottes lots or a skirt if she was found to be wearing culottes the teacher would send her home to change into a skirt! apparently secret pants were still far too racy for the 1050s 🤣
I spent many years making museum quality reproduction of 18th C clothing. Not costumes. Clothing. Hand sewn. Natural fibers only. Linen is a much underused textile today and most seem to think it's only for summer holiday shirts or billowy unshaped dresses. Natural fibers breathe, last longer and are far more comfortable to wear next to the skin. Linen especially gets softer and softer with age.
Always enjoy your commitment to artistry and the hand work it entails to make truly beautiful pieces, thank you for the glimpse behind the scenes of the 19th C collections.
Thank you for this, very useful to know. Do you recommend linen beedsheets and towels then? I have been thinking of purchasing them.
@@tamarquaye definitely linen sheets. they get so soft. only don't dry them in the dryer for very long. if at all.
Rajiv, you are favorite youtuber. How I wish we can be friends in real life! I’d love to go on a picnic and spend a day with you, talking and learning from you more about antiques, the importance of handmade artisanal things, and appreciating the old ways.
I love that you always dress up and look so wonderfully nice. It's a lost art. Also the fact that you appreciate all the fabrics and even the thread of your clothing is so refreshing.
Rajiv, you bring such happiness! The Met and tweed - thank you so much! ❤️ 💙
That was a very interesting sight behind the scene. Thank you for that. Could I just mention that it would have been nice if she could have answered the question properly herself , because it seemed that you were asking the question and also giving the answer before she could say anything…. I Hope you are not offended by that and can take it as a construktiv critik.
Hope to See more from the MET!
Look how impossible it is to find and source fine natural textiles. There is a shop in San Francisco that is over 100 years old and they will have some wools silks or cottons for sale and will send samples
Also you can find videos of how Harris tweeds are still woven by hand but those are bought mainly in bulk for bespoke clothes
Have fun wish I had your suit- this interest came from my mother being a weaver
I live by San Francisco, what is the name of the shop?
Rajiv You look so handsome in your Tweed suit 😍 Tweed is a beautiful fabric I love the Metropolitan Museum Of Art. My happy place I would stay all day whenever I visit I would love to have a tour. This is wonderful Rajiv!!!!😍😍😍😍😍
Oh I love this!!! I live in Idaho but traveled back East last June with my teenage sons. I was able to visit this exhibit at The Met and it was incredible.
Thank you Rajiv and Marci. This is an amazing vidoe.
Wow, that was fascinating! Thank you .
4:49 I crochet garments with fine natural fibers for that exact reason. My skin breathes comfortably in llama/wool sweaters and socks. In summer, i wear Pima Cotton tops. They're so fun to work with- natual fibers is the way to go.
Very interesting 👌 That is one of my favorite museum to visit whenever I am NY.
Can I make a request. Spring , Summer is approaching maybe you can tour us to Flowers & Plants Depot Terminal shows us different flowers; colors, leaves, shapes, details, exotics, expensive to low range prices...Also select some, show us how you make flower arrangements right to your own home. Thank you very much.
Great idea!
One of my favorite places I ever visited to in NYC. Thank you !
more MORE MORE videos, please! Since I have watched this video I have discovered the true gem that is
Rajiv Surendra!!! I have watched just about every video you have made. I too love making, and have way too many hobbies! This is amazing. Thank you for existing!
Wow Rajiv what a way to admire antique items no matter what the item is. I love your way how you look beyond on everything you do. Thank you for an another amazing video.
You were born out of time. I imagine it feels like a fix to visit the museum. Time travelers’ delight.
Agreed!
WOW - love the story about your tweed! How blessed you are, and it really suits you - no charge for the pun. Yay Rajiv - you've got terrific style and grace. Love your channel!
Wonderful video. The still photos of Rajiv are stunningly beautiful.
What an incredible episode. Thank you for sharing the experience. Throughly enjoyed it!
72k subscribers and Rajiv’s channel just launched wow told y’all this channel would blow up🔥👏🏾😀
what a great show. I'd love to borrow some tweeds to wear.
Rajiv, you look INCREDIBLE in this outfit. This tweed suit really is for you alone! 👌
Thanks for this unexpected trip down memory lane!! I was born in Latin America in the 60's when women still went to seamstresses (maybe the last generation?) for any "fancy wear". Came to the U.S. in the little bespoke matching sailor dress with the removable-striped-yoke that my mother had made for me and my big sister. There was no chance of boarding a plane in those days not dressed to the nines, so we wore gloves and matching purses!
My 3 year old self was literally IN LOVE with all my clothes at that time. They simply dazzled me. I actually remember mourning the day they no longer fit and our Mom had to start shopping at Sears and Montgomery Ward.
I can still smell the crisp fabric (the starch maybe) and remember taking them out of their wrapping once I'd outgrown them... just to look at how beautiful the tulle and hand embroidery were. Now I know why. Thank you so much for this, Rajiv. Will you be my adoptive nephew? LOLOL
This video was so enlightening. It is almost impossible to find natural fibers in textiles today. In an attempt to do my part in protecting our environment, I recently purchased a rug made of "recycled" plastic. This was a major mistake. I can’t walk on this rug without getting splinters of plastic stuck in my feet. I gave the rug to someone who didn't seem to mind the recycled plastic and I'm currently looking for a thrifted rug of natural fibers.
Your videos are SO interesting. Thank you for them!
What fun. It is wonderful to see this beautiful fabric and think about the woman who wore the suit on her bicycle, the mode of transportation that gave her the freedom to go anywhere, by herself. I get that goose bump feeling being near vintage clothing and handiwork, also. Not exactly the elephant in the room, but what about the black lion handbag on the counter? I'm hoping that it was Marci's purse which would add a touch of whimsy to her plain and practical outfit and her sensible old fashioned shoes.
Love watching your videos Rajive. You're a true Renaissance man.
Thanks!
Thank YOU~~
I totally agree that a wool coat looks better, but the black plastic jacket you mentioned is just so much more practical 🤷🏼♀️❤
A good wool coat is both beautiful and practical. It's insulating and it breathes, it's why it works for the sheep who have to stay outside in the cold all winter. The Black Plastic is much more cost-effective to produce for mass-manufacturing, with huge profit margins, which is why it's everywhere.
What a wonderful lady is Marci! Loved getting a behind the scenes 😊
i could watch any topic treated by Rajiv just to listen to his voice and enthusiasm. He's flawless
Thank you so much for exposing me to something so interesting and unique. I loved this tour. Please do more like this. Incredible!
Your elegance is so truly aspirational! Dapper dapper man.
I need you to post more, I've been been watching all your videos
Has Rajiv ever met Bernadette Banner? They would be a fun pair to watch!
I love make my own clothes, I enjoyed this video a lot, I would love to see more of this topic. Thank you 💕
He always has such great lessons .
As a textile lover and weaver, this was especially delightful, though anyone would enjoy for sure. Thank you, as your unique focus captures...and soft voice leads us into another delightful adventure. I was so surprised where it led - mesmerized in a Metropolitan Museum of Art backroom looking at a woman's bicycle riding outfit, and old jacket linings. (BTW, Women in Upstate NY in the 19th century adopted pants from their Iroquois women friends, and were thus I believe the early female adopters of bicycle riding and pants.) ... Then we enjoyed your ever practical applications - like stop sweating in your suits folks, here's how ... the art of armpit tailoring... and the practicality of white undergarments and t-shirts. (Coincidentally, my first bottle of Mrs. Stewart's liquid bluing arrived today.)
Keep it alive Rajiv. It's so important to promote valuing quality and workmanship because if a segment of the population does retain enough sanity, there will be movements for revitalizing and returning to appreciating the organic, genuine aspects of life again. By the way, did your notice the wrap jumper, and shoes your guide was wearing? Wonder if she makes her own clothes or special orders them. All the best.
Surely I am not the only one that got excited and thought "I know what a bicycling suit is. Thank you @Bernadettebanner"?
@2:22 Good Lord man, you knocked that suit out of the park and continue to keep it looking smart.
Thank you Rajiv, enjoyed this so much. And you look very exquisite in your tweed suit.
Rajiv, thank you so much for sharing your delight in handmade things with us. I appreciate your videos so much!
I already love Rajiv but omg I just fell in love with Marci! I live in NYC and hope to meet her one day! This is incredible! 💖
I'm so happy you have your own channel now! I watched most of your HGTV Videos and they were so interesting, so now I'm really looking forward to all of your future videos!
Please post a video on how to maintain and wash tweed Rajiv. That would be so useful
I secretly think Rajiv is testing a future interview at the Met...
Great subject. I wish I could see all those pieces on display.
Thank you Rajiv.
After watching several videos of yours where you visit the Met, I have been so inspired to check out my local museums in San Antonio. Thank you for your beautiful and inquisitive outlook on life ❤
Such a wonderful treat behind the scenes in the Met! Great subject and your suit is beautiful, I could see your eyes examine your future gaiters. Great you have such passion for the beautiful historic ART in many forms! Your videos are amazing an an educational lesson for all ages. I’m currently reading the new book author Patrick Bringley “All the beauty in the world, the Metropolitan Museum of Art and me. The two million square foot treasure house. Very nice💫💫💫💫💫
He's so classy and curious.
I loved his insight on buying clothing made of natural materials. As an 18 year old I find I have a tendency to over indulge in clothing, especially fast fashion . a little while ago I made the decision to be more conscious about the clothing I buy and the materials they are made from. I cleared out my entire wardrobe (which is hard for me, because my clothes especially dresses are very sentimental to me) and I sold or donated everything that I’m not in love with, were too small for me, or the things that I think will not last me a lifetime. Since then I have been buying clothing very selectively. I only buy things made of quality linen, cotton, wool, ect. I live in missouri and the weather is insane here, so I wanted clothing that will last against the rigors of the intense storms as well as things I can garden in and not worry about it falling apart. Although its more expensive, its so rewarding being able to save up money and put it towards a beautifully made, tailored item that will last me forever; instead of buying something from free people that will look cute for a few days and then disintegrate. fashion is a huge part of my identity and although it seems small it really has made such a positive impact in my daily life.
Oh how I would love to have a ladies coat lined with silk with a printed motif that resembled the beautiful bicycle riding coat Marci showed you.Maybe a tweed one and one for the summer as well. I wonder if tweed can also be worn in the summer. I got goosebumps looking at the room full of garments from the 1800's.Your tweed suit is gorgeous Rajiv and thanks for this lovely tour.
I love how enthusiastic you are. And I’m right there with you sharing the enthusiasm. It’s so incredibly interesting! Thank you for letting us go with you to the Met
Rajiv you have given me a beautiful way to live my life.
All I can Say... beautiful!
I also love textiles and really appreciate your excitement for the museum’s collection.
Fascinating! What a treat to see! Thank you, Rajiv and Marci.
what a treat! thank you so much for this behind the scenes, it was indeed fascinating, and tweed is one of my favourite fabrics. I would wear that suit today!
Just one slight advice, if I may, it would have been precious to learn more from Marcy, as she is the expert you are having such a rare chance to interview. You are clearly very passionate which is beautiful but this could have been an opportunity to learn more and allow more space to the expert. 🙏🏻
That suit is amazing!!!!!!!!
This is wonderful
Thank you!! I so wanted to see the Museum of Art's Costume Institute at the MET when i visited NYC back in September. Sadly it was closed when i visited. But...i will try again and succeed! I love the old textiles. It is so satisfying to see the craftsmanship and care that went into an everyday item. Lovely!
Mr. Rajiv, you are an inspiration. When I watch your videos you bring such calmness in my mind. I hope you will show us some of your calligraphy and maybe some of your travels too. I am looking forward to all of your future videos.
I really enjoyed this visit thank you, such passion and interest from you both. Its interesting to hear about the cut of the armholes, my husband is going to be having a jacket made so that's useful information - and that silk lining is a must! Xx
This video sent my mind straight to the fox hunting field. On “informal” hunt days (during the week) the field of riders are permitted to wear tweed hacking jackets (as opposed to the traditional, formal wool) So much history and tradition is still revered amongst fox hunters and their “habits” I would love to see you do a video about the costuming of fox hunting. Also, the bicycle suit with the gaiters… many equestrians ride in gaiters (also called half chaps) and one can buy an infinite assortment of buttery soft custom half (and full!) chaps to ride in. Custom field and dress boots are also popular. (As a side, most all of the English riding set admires and heavily trend towards monogramming ALL THE THINGS! as well. I have a matched set of vintage horse blankets, the same brand and monogrammed with my initials in a copy of Jackie Onassis Kennedy’s personal horse blankets! Love it! And I love you and your videos! Thanks for sharing your charm! Cheers!