All posts tagged: 1920s

So, what’s with all that Madge?

You may have notice that this blog has become a little Madge Bellamy heavy over the last month or so. So what’s with my fixation? Well, I’m making one of Madge’s most famous costumes for a client. The costume is Madge’s ‘shroud’ from White Zombie. Isn’t it gorgeous? All that silk, flowing and draping! I love that it has such strong medieval inspiration. It’s the best kind of sewing: I get to do a complete pastiche of the medieval part, but it’s still perfectly historical — just to the 1920s! I say 1920s, because even though White Zombie was filmed in 1932, I am certain that the dress was borrowed from an earlier film. White Zombie was filmed on a shoestring budget, and we already know they re-used one dress from an early Madge Bellamy film. They also re-used sets from a bunch of other films. After watching the movie dozens of time it’s become apparent that the ‘shroud’ is two sizes too big on Madge, and missing some pearls from around the neck, so …

More of Madge’s monkey business

Published by The Dreamstress

Remember last week’s post about Madge and her 17th century dress in the contemporary setting of 1932’s White Zombie? Well, in my search for images, I also found this picture of Madge: Wowzers! Va Va Voom! Those are some curves! Now compare it to another, more characteristic, image of Madge: Yeah… Something havey cavey is going on there. There is some serious padding and sculpture going on in the first photo. This fits in perfectly with my post on the 1903 corset, and Lauren’s comment on all the padding in the Truly Victorian pattern. It takes a lot of engineering to go from ’20s sylph to Camille Clifford’s rival!

A 1920s Asian for the Western market coat

Published by The Dreamstress

Mrs C has given me a very interesting textile on long term loan, and I thought it would be the perfect ‘Textiles on Thursday’ feature. The textile is an embroidered silk coat with a rabbit fur lining. The coat is fascinating for all sorts of reasons. It’s an excellent example of an export textile, made in Asia (probably China, possibly Japan) for the Western market. As an export textile, it’s particularly interesting because it isn’t a particularly luxurious item. Chinese design features aside, the coat is a great piece of early 1920s fashion. Finally, it’s an exciting vintage item because it isn’t that small, it easily fits a modern 14-16. Poor Isabelle is a little swamped in it! So, let’s break it down. First, what’s this export textile thing? Well, the West has had a love affair with Eastern goods and aesthetics for centuries. Just look at Chinoiserie in the 18th century and Japonism in the 19th century, as well as the trade in kashmir shawls in both. The newest trends in Eastern imports always …