Fashion Historian & Historical Costume Maker
Two articles from Antiques & Fine Art Magazine:
A research report on 18th c. American stays from the author of a really fascinating MA thesis on the topic (Samantha Dorsey).
And, an upcoming exhibition on wedding dresses happening in Belgrade; I really like the white teens dress!
Part of our evening at Vaux-le-Vicomte involved being extras for the filming of a French television show, “Secrets d’Histoire.” The episode, little did we know, was about Nicolas Fouquet (the original owner of Vaux-le-Vicomte). Unfortunately I can’t link you to the video, because it appears to only play in France (of course if you’re IN France, here you go!). Luckily my husband was able to track down the video, and there we are in all our glory! Okay, there we are for 3 seconds (Lisa) and 1 second (me).
Next stop, the Academy Awards (or the Cesars, I should say)!
Thanks to Heileen, who posted a photo from the upcoming French film “Les Adieux à la Reine” (Farewell My Queen) on Facebook, starring Diane Kruger as Marie-Antoinette in a story about her relationship with her reader in her final days. I had to track down more to confirm suspicions — what I found was a making-of video in French, and I screencapped some of the costumes… and I am disappointed! Apparently MA is a drag queen, aniline dyes are period, necklines come up to the throat, and Ye Olde Back Lacing Bodice rears its ugly head.
I also found this video, also in French but with tons of costume shots (mostly of extras), if you want to poke the wound a bit more.
Please to discuss!
Currently showing at the Chateau de Versailles (until Oct. 9) is the exhibition: The 18th Century Back in Fashion (Le XVIIIe au Goût du Jour). The exhibition features 18th century costume, as well as 20th-21st century couture inspired by the period.
It’s worth checking out the exhibition leaflet (pdf), plus there are videos and some decently-sized photographs (see the “slide shows” on the bottom left of the main page) of the exhibition.
There is a catalogue (yay!). I’ve poked around and it looks like the cheapest option is to buy direct from the RMN.
So, I do tons of research. All the time. And I realized that I don’t tend to post too much of it anymore! In an effort to rectify that, I’m going to take some of my teaching materials and put them together into articles & get them online.
My first effort: Women’s Hairstyles & Cosmetics of the 18th Century: France & England, 1750-1790. This discusses both what they did in the period, and the general looks of the era to aim for in reproduction. I’m contemplating adding an image gallery with more examples of hair & makeup looks from the period — let me know if anyone is interested.
Edited to add: I found it particularly fascinating to find that women in the 18th century DIDN’T usually wear full wigs, as that’s what I’d always assumed, and in fact been told by Those Who Should Know. Which explains why you don’t see obvious wig line in portraiture. And will make me stop feeling non-period when I incorporate my own hair into my wigs! I’m not giving up on the convenience of wigs, tho — they make getting ready for an event SO much easier.
If this seems useful, let me know and I’ll put up more! Other things I could pull together easily are: Venetian Renaissance (probably not needed, given the fabulous Realm of Venus site), and an overview of 1830s fashions. I’d also like to do more research on 17th & 18th c. beauty patches and 18th c. court dress. There’s lots more percolating in my brain/on my hard drive, but it’ll take a bit more time to pull those off!