Happy Valentine’s Day!

…here’s a pink dress…

LACMA, 1830

It’s a dress I’m madly in love with. It’s the kind of painful sort of love that makes me want to attempt to make this, but then fear that my version will be lame and I will ruin my adoration of this gown. LE SIGH!

Detail of the beret sleeve

I already know I don’t have the patience to do this kind of beadwork…(and about a fraction of the skill…)

Imitation pearl glass beads sewn onto silk organza. I love that you can see the pencil lines still…

A girl can dream, though, right?

Someday, Pink LACMA Dress, …. someday….

13 Comments

  • Steph

    February 14, 2014 at 9:43 PM

    That beadwork is heavenly! And it's amazing that the embroidery pattern is still in place.
    But 1830s fashions–so crazy and silly looking with the gigondo low-set sleeves and bizarre poodly hairstyles. That said, this is a particularly restrained example of the period and the more I look at it, the more lovely it seems. No doubt the ladies who wore these styles looked back on their foremothers' fashions–the neoclassicism of the Regency–and mocked them.

    Reply
    • Lauren Stowell

      February 15, 2014 at 7:19 PM

      I agree, the 1830s are…weird. I've never ventured in, but I'm starting to get the itch. It might have to be this one, or there's a brown gown I really like too (and happen to have brown silk for)

      Reply
  • Cindy Joy

    February 15, 2014 at 2:43 AM

    I love this dress. It is probably my favorite 1830's dress. The sleeves are probably my favorite thing as far as the shape goes. I think the way the pleating switches at the halfway point and the way they evoke Chinese lanterns is just perfection. Ooo, there's one at the V&A that is in close competition with it. I practically had to clean my nose print off the glass when I was looking at it. Okay, I take it back. The one at the V&A is 1820's. Here, I grabbed the link (let's see if I can share it in the comments): http://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O74454/evening-dress-unknown/

    Reply
  • MmePolaire

    February 15, 2014 at 5:21 AM

    It is AMAZING! I've been to LACMA many times and I've never seen any of their dresses on display. Bad timing or are they only in the archives?

    Reply
    • Lauren Stowell

      February 15, 2014 at 7:21 PM

      I missed the Fashioning Fashion show a few years back, when this one was apparently on display. Bummer. The best I could come by was the book šŸ˜€

      Reply
  • Gina

    February 16, 2014 at 5:19 AM

    Le sigh….I am so in love with this dress. It makes my girly heart so happy just to look at it!! Will you please make it so I won't have to? You will do a stunning job!

    Reply

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