I finally got organized enough to post a picture of my new Dickens Fair skirt – how unexciting! You can see it on my Victorian gallery page.
Bet’s Dickens Fair Costume
So, crazy woman that I am… read more about my Bet Dickens Fair costume
Costume Movie News
There are lots of costume movies coming out soon, or in production, that are worth chatting about! First, all of the new Jane Austen adaptations — airing on Masterpiece Theatre — have release dates (Persuasion 1/13/08, Northanger Abbey 1/20/08, Mansfield Park 1/27/08, Sense & Sensibility 3/30-4/6/08). Also, Masterpiece Theatre will be airing the new production Miss Austen Regrets — a fictionalized account of the last years of JA’s life — featuring the genius casting of Olivia Williams as Jane Austen and Greta Scaachi as Cassandra.
I’m sure we’ve all seen the trailer for Sweeny Todd by now — I’m super excited about Helena Bonham Carter’s gothy gear, especially the red and white stripey bustle gown. Yay!
The Young Victoria, starring Emily Blunt as the young queen, is looking potentially very pretty. The costume designer is Sandy Powell (The Aviator, Gangs of New York, Shakespeare in Love, The Wings of the Dove, Interview with the Vampire, Orlando), hence why they’re so pretty!
All of the photos coming out of The Duchess — Keira Knightley as Georgiana, the 18th c. Duchess of Devonshire — look simply divine. I have something of a quibble with Knightley as Georgiana, as I think of G as being much more mature and sophisticated than KK. But I’ll accept it, since the costumes and wigs look so great! The costume design is by Michael O’Connor, who designed Wallis & Edward and The Last King of Scotland. I’m such a sucker for 1780s!
As we all wait for The Other Boleyn Girl to be released, I’ve read that there are plans to remake the 1972 Vanessa Redgrave Mary, Queen of Scots with Scarlett Johansson in the title role. Should give us lots to nitpick!
A couple of exciting things recently airing, or coming up, on UK TV include: Fanny Hill, based on the 18th century novel about a girl who falls into prostitution — the script is by Andrew Davies, who adapted the 1995 Pride & Prejudice so well. Also a new version of Oliver Twist, starring Timothy Spall. And finally, Cranford, an Elizabeth Gaskell novel (writer of Wives & Daughters), starring Judi Dench and costumed by Jenny Beavan (of Merchant-Ivory fame). If anyone across the pond has seen any of these, let me know what you thought!
Details on all of these movies are available, as always, on my upcoming movies page.
Notman Photographic Archive
I’ve had this on my links page for a while, but since I am once again rediscovering its glories, I wanted to call your attention to the Notman Photographic Archives at the Musee McCord, which you can view online via their Keys to History. This is a collection of over 450,000 photographs from 1860 on (plus a few from 1840-60), which just bazillions and bazillions of fabulous period portrait photography. Like this beauty. Go! Search! Download!
Events – PEERS Fairytale Ball & GBACG Buckram Bonnet Workshop
After being literally tied to my computer for about a month with heinously huge work deadlines (literally!), I’ve finally been able to get out and about!
Two weekends ago I went to the GBACG Victorian bonnet workshop, where I finally learned how to work with buckram. Yay! The class was great, most especially because Frannie and I were very punchy and basically whined (and laughed) through most of it. Lynne is as always such a fabulous teacher (and her work is amazing — you can see her in one of her bonnets here on the right). I was most excited that she brought one of her OWN patterns, so we got to work on a really period 1850-60s bonnet shape, and not the typical “Dickens bonnet.” I was waiting to take some pictures of the bonnet (still in progress), but I’m not 100% sure whether I’m going to stick with my original plan (which doesn’t really work with any of my current or planned outfits). I have plans for a sheer 1860s dress for next summer, so I may redo the bonnet to work with that.
Then last Saturday I went with Katie and Bridget to the PEERS Fairytale Masquerade ball. It was lovely, particularly because only about 1/3 of the number of people I usually see at PEERS balls were there, so there was actually ROOM to move around and dance (gasp!). I wore my courtesan dress with a glinty butterfly mask (I decided I was a princess — that’s fairytale enough!). I had fun dancing, but most especially enjoyed getting to dress up. Yay dress up! Pictures
Now I just have to get back to some sewing (I’ve been working on my 1780s jacket and am actually near to done, but I need to take some pictures so I can update that diary). Then I need to get back to work on my 1770s Paris dress and start thinking about my Costume College gala dress. Phew!