By the mid 1880s, the United States was the wealthiest nation in the world. But it was still with Europe where the real international political power lay. Most of us learned the term laissez-faire in high school and learned to apply it to Belle Epoque America. But the situation was a bit more complicated than [...]
Archive for June, 2009
American Power and the Progressive Movement
Posted in History & Culture, tagged 1900 wealth gap, Progressive Era on June 19, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
Givenchy on Edwardiana
Posted in Fashion History, Silliness on June 10, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
Edwardian styles have been creeping back into couture.
The whole purpose of the Edwardian silhouette with it’s s-bend corset, white shoulders, ’stuffed’-like bosom, hip-hugging skirt, and flared hem, was to personify the elegance of the exaggerated female form: Small waist, curving hips, delicate, subtle yet substantial, and a generous, matriarchial busom. It was smooth, lacey, art [...]
Fiat overlay
Posted in Edwardian Gown on June 10, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
I have lots of yards of French manufactured black silk embroidered ecru silk organza to work as an overlay for the gown. It got it for such a good price, practically stole it.
Most of the tone on tone white/ivory/off-white type fabrics I was finding were cheaply made or ridiculously expensive. And it’s just as well. [...]
Edwardian Stunners
Posted in Belle Epoque, Edwardian Gown, Fashion History, Uncategorized, tagged Edwardian Fashion on June 10, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
Edwardian Gown Fabric
Posted in Edwardian Gown on June 5, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
A recommendation: this may not be the best time in the universe to make an Edwardian gown. Competition comes from numerous quarters for Edwardian-compatible beauties. Wait until fashion changes to reduce the competition.
Unfortunately, there is a lot of overlap between the Edwardian costumer’s demands and that of the bridal demographic, since Edwardians liked their gowns light [...]
Physical Culture
Posted in Philosophy, Silliness, tagged 19th Century Physical Culture, Physical Culture on June 3, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
This is important stuff for a costumer – particularly a 19th and early 20th century one – to know.
Did you hate gym class? Did you find it a terrible, tyrannical thing? Well here is some academic logic behind those feelings.
The concept of the gymnasium and physical regime grew out of the 19th century. Prior to [...]
