Lisa VandenBerghe
I do high quality work, with great attention to detail, and easily work collaboratively.
As a real estate broker with Windermere Real Estate in Bellevue, Washington, I used my broad experience and skill-set to assist clients with smooth and successful transactions. I apply the research skills I honed during my Master’s degree program, and the cat-herding skills I picked up working in the arts, to move projects forward. My affinity for history means I always find a story in the places and projects I work with.
Historical costumes and needlework have been passions throughout my life. It has been natural to incorporate them into my research on women’s material culture between 1300-1800. My master’s thesis was about needlework pattern books of the early modern period. Currently, my interest is in 18th century printed textiles from France.
My career in costume design officially began in 2003 – the same year that I graduated with honors from the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising (FIDM) in San Francisco, California. In 2013, I achieved my BA in History, also with honors, from Arizona State University. On a never-ending quest to learn-all-the-things, I soon after graduated Concordia University with my Master’s degree in History.
As both a presenter and attendee, I participate in historical costuming events, scholarly conferences, and educational organizations around the world. I seek out opportunities to volunteer in my community. Most recently, I helped make costumes for Seattle Historical Arts for Kids.
Happily back in France, I have lived in Seattle, San Francisco, Paris, and Montreal. Now I’m living in the Côte d’Or region of France, where I have bought an 18th century manor house (hôtel particulier) to renovate and offer as an event venue and B&B. Tissus Anciens is my new fabric business, which offers reproductions of 18th century printed textiles in my personal collection.