TIGNON



Tignon By: Lea Phan & Zachary Bradshaw The tignon is a headgear that was created in Spanish colonial Louisiana to signify Creole women of their status, ethnic background, and religion. It was also used to lessen the popularity of the “people of color”. Esteban Rodriguez Miro, the creator of the “tignon laws” or “Miro’s Law’’, was born in 1744 in Catalona, Spain. He became governor of Louisiana and held office until December 30, 1791. His first act during his rule was to ban cohabitation. He also made what was known as “the dress code”. This code banned jewels and plumes from being used as items in the hair. The women were forced to wear them if their hairstyle was too high. He criticized Creole women for their “idleness and libertinism”. However, the tignon was not made by Miro, it originated from Josephine Bonaparte when she brought the tignon from Martinique to Paris. From then on the tignon was a fashion statement. The Creole women had a creative way to make the tignon look beautiful. Since they couldn’t put jewels and plumes in their hair, they put it on the tignon. They also had different textile fabrics for their tignon. When going to a social occasion, Creole women wore a tignon made of silk. Regular tignons for everyday use were made of basic fabrics and patterns such as plaid. Different knot styles were used to signify a slave or someone who was free. Other knot styles were used just for looks. The tignon will always have a historical significance in some countries, and also in Louisiana.
 * CONTACT PERSON - BARBARA TREVIGNE ||