Time Travel: The Baroque Gown at June Gaskells Ball

So what if Gaskell’s Ball in Oakland, CA, has a Victorian theme!  I wore the Baroque, and loved every minute of it.  I’m continually surprised at how comfortable this costume is.  The only problems I had with it were people stepping on the train, causing the back hooks to pop off, and safety pins to be employed for the closure of the skirt.  Here are some photos from the dance:

Jenny brought me jelly bellies! my favourites!  Also, my hair was curled
at the front at the beginning of the evening, but didn’t hold, so I ended up
pinning it back (as you see in later photos)


All of these photos were taken in the sitting/dressing room at Gaskells,
so the lighting conditions were a bit tough, and flash just looked
ug, so apologies for the slight blurriness!
In addition to jellybeans, I also received from Jenny S. a most delightful little gift of a teacup and saucer (but of course!).  I’m so thrilled with my growing collection, and this one is just perfect.  THANK YOU JENNY!  Here are some pogey bait photos of my new Jenny Teacup:

15 Comments

  • The Dreamstress

    June 29, 2010 at 3:31 AM

    Sweet! I really want to see it in motion though. Anyone get any dancing shots?

    And of course, I am beyond envious that you were at Gaskells!

    Reply
  • American Duchess

    June 29, 2010 at 6:52 PM

    Thanks Lovely Ladies! I hope this project inspired you to venture into the scary and unknown land of 17th century costuming! …or maybe not :-). Now back to our regularly scheduled 18th c. costuming programme…

    Reply
  • American Duchess

    June 30, 2010 at 11:42 PM

    I may sell it in the future ๐Ÿ™‚ depends on how strapped for money I get, LOL. It's not a period accurate material, though. The nice thing, however, is it's a lace-front hidden closure with snaps to keep it shut at the front, so it would probably fit you, especially since we are very close in measurements. ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  • Finegan Antiques

    July 5, 2010 at 7:23 PM

    The gown is simply stunning! This period really is you. How many hearts did you break at the dance?

    Donna

    Reply
  • American Duchess

    July 5, 2010 at 8:15 PM

    Lol, Donna, I don't think broke any hearts, but I'm totally unaware if I did :-D. Thanks for the compliment! I think this period, if done right, would look good on just about anybody, really. It was so popular than the gowns of the 1830s were inspired by the 17th c! 'Course, I like the original form better – I'm still learning to like 1830s, hahaha

    Reply
  • Hana - Marmota

    July 25, 2010 at 11:40 AM

    You make such beautiful things, and I'm SO behind on commenting! It turned out fabulous. It reminds me that once upon a time, baroque used to be one of my favourite eras, in fact – before I discovered all the others…

    Reply
  • Isis

    July 31, 2010 at 9:59 AM

    Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous.

    A bit related. I have long used Deviantart to store pictures of my finished gowsn, instead of a webpage. As elsewhere, the 17th century is rare, so I have strated a group concerning it:

    http://17thcentury.deviantart.com/

    I understand that Deviantart isn't to everyone's taste, but if you feel the urge, you would be more than welcome to come and post your lovely gown there!

    Reply
  • Lee

    October 21, 2010 at 10:35 PM

    oh that cup and saucer were made right where I was bought up. Foley is an area of Longton in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, England (its Lee Morrisroe here by the way from facebook). I lived on the border of Foley Park and the pottery was just at the bottom of our housing estate

    Reply
  • Lauren Stowell

    October 21, 2010 at 10:53 PM

    Lee, thanks for shedding a little light on the history of this teacup! I was having trouble finding information on it ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply

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