All posts tagged: 18th century

What I’ve been up to

I’ve been super busy in preparation for yesterday’s talk on Baroque and Rococo music and fashion, and consequentially ran out of time to blog. I always do that! I must remember to have blog posts prepared in advance for the four days before and three days after any talk or event, because otherwise I just don’t have time to blog (ergh). I’ve been doing lots of awesome stuff instead of blogging though: I made a 1770’s man’s ensemble (which I am super happy with), and a 1720’s Grand Habit (which I am not at all happy with, but oh well), and I started a 1690s mantua (which I am going to have to set aside while I finish all my other half-finished projects) and I helped Madame Ornata with her polonaise dress, and Ninon’s dress looks amazing. So now I have lots and lots of stuff to blog about! But first I have to run off up the country to give a talk to a quilting group. More madness! And now, for your entertainment and …

Flame

Published by The Dreamstress

Louis XIV’s favourite colour was flame, an orangish-red which worked well with his self designated title of ‘The Sun King’. Louis wore it frequently. The French court was all about gaining the kings favour, and a good way to become his favourite was to wear his favourite colour, thus it’s frequently seen in garments and trimmings in 17th and early 18th century portraits. Women wore it in ribbons and feathers: Or wrapped around their body in wraps: Men wore it as bows around their neck: Or as sashes tied around their torsos: Whole interiors were done in it, and family groups wore it as jackets and robes: If you didn’t like flame, but still wanted to kiss up to the king, inflicting it on your children in large quantities was always an option. They could wear it as historical fantasy dress: Or pseudo-classical short clothes: Or stiff, old fashioned dresses with flame rosettes: Even Louis’ neglected wife and his kids wore the colour: Yep. Mid 17th century France was aflame.

Ninon’s accessories

Published by The Dreamstress

I can’t really trim Ninon’s dress because I can’t get the right trim in Wellington, and I feel I shouldn’t make a special trip up to Brian Gaskin’s in Palmy because I have to go up there on business next week. So instead I’m researching what jewellery and accessories she should wear. It’s pretty easy actually: every-single-painting shows the sitter wearing a collarbone level necklace of large pearls, and large pear-drop pearl earrings. Some ladies went for simply the pearl necklace and earrings, and nothing else: Most sitters added a few more accessories of her own to go with the ubiquitous necklace and earrings. This one has bracelets: Brooches at the centre front holding the fichu in place are common, usually with pearl drops: And of course, I have Elisabeth d’Orleans as my inspiration for Ninon with her pleated fabric/shell with a bow and jewelled bodice trimming. There are other portraits that show the same pearls in the bun at the back of the head And one lady went all out to gain Louis XIV’s …