Feliks Topolski | c.1947
I am loving the shoulders and the bias cut skirt. I with there was a detail shot of the print :(
Charles James | c. 1955
The inspiration for this elegant evening dress probably came from cuirasse bodices and bustle skirts of the 1870s. James was fascinated by the cut of historical dress and explored innovative new forms of garment construction, such as spiral draping. His forte included the creation of luxurious, full-skirted evening gowns. He looked on dresses as works of art, as did his customers.
aconitegod asked: You have just become my new favorite blog. I do a lot of art with historical dressing, so this blog just makes my soul all happy <3
Thank you so much! I always love to hear from those who share my passion.
pretty-shou asked: Do you study in fashion design or in fashion marketing? Because I'm studying in fashion marketing! =D
I studied fashion design (with a little costume design). I am currently considering going for my master’s in costume design and/or costume preservation. Best of luck!
alta-vista asked: I am working on a paper for a museum curation class; would love to know the source of your photos. Are these from books, exhibit catalogues???? Please let me know! Thanks!
75% are from the Metropolitan Museum or Victoria and Albert. I always try to link to the source. Sometimes I forget.
Cartier | Tiara | c. 1903
This tiara of graduated flaming hearts and C scrolls was inspired by a vision of France before the Revolution. Louis Cartier encouraged his designers to sketch 18th-century ironwork and architectural ornament in Paris and Versailles, and to study engraved jewellery designs.
Consuelo, Duchess of Manchester, was a prominent American heiress who married into the British nobility in 1876. The Duke of Portland recorded that she ‘took Society completely by storm by her beauty, wit and vivacity and it was soon at her very pretty feet’.
Coral Tiara | c. 1860 - 1870
Phillips Brothers, in which the dominant partner was Robert Phillips, were the leading supplier of coral goods in London, as well as being important goldsmiths and jewellers. In 1870 the firm advertised that it had ‘the most complete collection of fine coral work in the world’. Robert Phillips received the order of the Crown of Italy for his services to the coral industry in Naples.
I love this so much I posted it twice.
Sketch | Norman Hartnell | c. 1923
Hartnell designed this dress with two materials in mind: the under dress is of solid material and is covered from shoulder to hem with chiffon. The dress has a boat neck line with tight sleeves up to the elbow where they fan out with ‘scollop’ edging. This matches the hem of the dress. Hartnell added a beaded belt with tassels, matched by a band of beads on the sleeves. The design also shows a large head band with sparkling embroidery.
The simplicity and grace of this dress would have been perfect for the fashionable cocktail parties of the era.
pascalineinparis asked: Hey! I find your blog and pictures very interesting! I've been using it a bit for my studies, since i'm also studying fashion, not in NYC, but in Paris, France. :) Continue blogging it's great ;) Best Regards, Pascaline.
Thanks!
Court Presentation Gown | Boué Soeurs| c. 1932 -
This is a re-post but I don’t care because it’s fantastic
