Seriously, how gorgeous is she?
I can’t decide if I like her better in black and white, or colour, but I know that I want to try her in 1910s and 1940s fashions. She’ll look amazing!
I only wish she and the gorgeous Miss Claire had been able to stick around for more of the photoshoot!
Last week you found the shocking pink Victorian well…shocking, either for being avant garde, or just for being shockingly bad. It rated a 5.6 out of 10
I promised that this week I would not post another late Victorian dress, and I’m holding to that. So I present you with a period that inspired many a late Victorian fashion trend: the Baroque.
Rubens paints Anne of Austria, Queen of France in an extremely patriotic dress of brilliant blue fleur de lys ornamented silk with a fleur de lys shaped bodice.
Peter Paul Rubens, Anne of Austria 1622-1625
The dress, and portrait, are perhaps an attempt to solidify Anne’s position as Queen at a particularly uneasy time. Her husband had never been particularly interested in her and blamed her for a series of miscarriages. She had been unpopular with the people for refusing to give up her Spanish ladies in waiting and adapt to French ways, and had only recently been convinced to adopt French fashions.
The portrait celebrates Anne’s new look, and aims to present her in a flattering light to her husband and people. The results in her life were mixed: her husband remained distant, but Anne did become a powerful, respected force at court.
What are the results today? How do you feel about the ensemble? Rate the Dress on a scale of 1 to 10
I did a talk for a conference on Saturday and it was AMAZING.
Afterwards, the models and I went out into the park next to the venue and had a photoshoot, which was soooo much fun.
And then I went home, had some time with Mr D, had a nap, got up, and went dancing. Perfect day.
Anyway, here is a sneak peek of images from the photoshoot. I’ll be sharing more throughout the week, including individual model photoshoots, and as they come in from the various photographers cameras.
10 beauties on a bridge
The raspberry swirl gown got its first showing ever at this event, though I need to finish the bertha.
Elisabeth as the picture of demure perfection
There were four different cameras in use, so a great deal of interactions and formal and informal posing was captured.
Chiara and Elisabeth show off their skirts
Claire personifies loveliness in the laurel dress
I mainly got formal, posed, images of single models, but I love the shots that other photographers got of groupings.
Multi-period fabulosity
Lisa as a Regency trendsetter
Rachael rocks the 1920s Vionnet frock
In addition to the dresses I made, Madame O wore her sapphire dress, and we paired a vintage 1940s nightie from her collection with a vintage 30s robe from mine to illustrate a point.
Hortense as a rose among roses
I love the different ways the fabric has ben gathered and draped in this image - it really shows the changes in fashion
Shell among the irises in Japonisme - look at her figure!
Mme Poiret amidst exotic greenery, looking very French and 1913
Madame O photographing the beautiful ladies
Chiara, as always, was beyond fabulous in the robe a la francaise
Is Vanessa not just stunning?
At the end of the photoshoot I had the ridiculous idea that we should all get an obligatory wedding ‘jump’ shot.
Let’s just say I’m glad I’m not the one in stays or hoopskirts!
One...two...three...
Wheee!
There must be a fabric sale on!
