The Pet at the “Winter Whites” Exhibition, Nevada Historical Society

This past Friday a contingent of costumed ladies and one whole gentleman attended the Nevada Historical Society’s “Winter Whites” exhibition, a small display of gowns ranging from the 1890s through the 1960s, all in white, creme, and ecru.

This c. 1900 gown is made of pineapple fiber fabric, just like the stuff you can buy at Dharma  Trading Co.  Okay, maybe not JUST like, but very similar, including the lovely stripe.
A detail of the pineapple fiber gown.  Gorgeous!
1921 Graduation (high school) dress.  Lovely voile with lots of rufflies.
A detail of the 1921 gown.  It had quite a few snap closures and the construction was very much like older examples from the 19teens, with various under layers closing in various ways.
Impressive lacy 1900-1910s gown.
This was the stunner of the event – a 1962 “Supreme Queen of the Nile” gown.  I can see Audrey Hepburn mincing around in this.  The beadwork was out of this world.

I wore the pet en l’air, along with the taffeta petticoat, one big-ass cap, and in attendance was also the famous Pineapple Reticule (made by The Dreamstress).  The costume wore very well, no real problems except the ribbons in back might have been tied a little tighter.   … oh, and my shoes were entirely inappropriate because my proper 18th c. shoes aren’t here yet :-(.

I stuffed some tulle into the cap – too much?  Hahaha, that’s quite a ridiculous profile!

BIG-ASS CAP!  I know this cap isn’t quite appropriate for the “class” of cosutme I’m wearing, but it’s the first cap I made and I ran out of time to make another.  I plan a cap in dotted swiss voile, and one in just regular ole plain voile, for the upper class clothing, but I still like this linen one very much.

Special thanks to the Nevada Historical Society and the Marjorie Russel Textile Museum, for putting on the exhibition and letting us espy (and photograph) more of their wonderful clothing collection.

8 Comments

  • MrsC (Maryanne)

    February 14, 2011 at 1:37 AM

    I love that you stuffed the cap, it hints of piles of undressed hair beneath, and is in proportion to the dress. Stunning – did people think you were part of the general exhibition? 🙂

    Reply
  • Lauren Stowell

    February 14, 2011 at 1:42 AM

    Lol, if only piles of hair could ever *actually* exist on my head!

    The exhibition was very small – I think there may have been as many people there in-costume as there were out of costume :-). Nobody thought I would part of the exhibition, but I think the group of us helped add to the overall effect (for we were all in whites), and hopefully helped show the museum director that the fashion and textile exhibits are well loved and attended.

    Reply
  • Sandra Brake

    February 14, 2011 at 9:57 AM

    Crikey your Pet is gorgeous. In fact you look marvellous. And I like the cap, it has style! I'll bet the museum director was pleased you all made such an effort too. I'd be thrilled if it was me!
    Any other pics of your group?

    Reply
  • Lauren Stowell

    February 15, 2011 at 3:11 AM

    Thanks guys :-). Christina, I knew you'd flip your schnizzle at that, lol.

    Trav, there were about 7-9 people in costume but everyone floated in and out at various times and I didn't get a decent group shot 🙁

    Reply

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