The center of Europe’s fashion for women in the sixteenth century was Italy. It was at this time that gloves became a standard item of dress for women, and rich, ornate gloves developed, influenced by the taste of Queen Elizabeth of England. They began to be made in silk or soft leather and decorated with embroidery.

Jewelery was made by such great artists as Benvenuto Cellini. Women wore strings of pearls and ivory combs in their hair. Ladies in other countries impatiently awaited the latest news of the Italian fashions. There were no fashion magazines in those days and models of dresses were shown on dolls.

One of the great fashion designers of this period was Isabella d’Estate, Marquise of Mantua. She built her models with the help of famous painters, and the great Leonardo da Vinci is supposed to have given her some ideas. All this luxury was for the nobility and the wealthy, but even the ordinary people dressed smartly enough and the women made themselves up and had their hair styled.