Have you perused the Heroines by Elena Kanagy-Loux collection yet? This unique and fantastical collaboration collection with Elena (@erenanaomi) features three beautiful new shoes named after inspirational early-modern women artists. One of…
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Designing Heroines by Elena Kanagy-Loux
Have you seen our latest collaboration collection yet? Our Heroines by Elena-Kanagy Loux pre-order sale is on through June 1! Each pair of Adelaide Latchet Shoes, Isabella Venetian Chopines, and Artemisia Pre-Raphaelite…
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Heroines by Elena Kanagy-Loux Pre-Order is Open
We’re terrifically excited to announce our latest collaboration collection: introducing Heroines by Elena Kanagy-Loux! From May 16-June 1, we’re proud to offer three brand-new styles for 15% off each pair: the Isabella…
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Shoes That Changed (Fashion) History: Influential Icons
Designing historical reproduction footwear is a unique process. In addition to all the regular aspects of shoe design, there is a major research component- much like historical costuming! Over our time researching…
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Carnival, Carnaval, Carnevale
This is a bit of a tough time of year. The festivities of the harvest and winter holidays have come to an end. The new year has come and gone. For many,…
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A Little History of Mary/Marlowe Elizabethan & Jacobean Shoes
Anyone who has ventured down the Renaissance Rabbit Hole has at some point run into The Shoe Problem™. What the heck did the Tudors, Elizabethans, and Stuarts wear upon their feet? And…
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All About the New 16th c. “Tudor” Exclusives
It’s been *ages* in prototyping the new Tudor shoes, but they’re finally done! This has been an interesting project, one with many challenges. The first was sorting out the design. After discussion…
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Studying Up on Tudor Footwear
Mary Rose Shoes – via Tudor shoes are old. They’re about as old as we get for extant shoes, with the exception of a very few Medieval examples. It’s quite extraordinary, really,…
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“Virginia” Renaissance Shoes GIVEAWAY!
Today’s the day, my darling dears – “Virginia,” our new Renaissance shoe, has opened for pre-order, which also means it’s giveaway time! Here’s the lo-down on Virginia: All-leather construction: upper, lining, sole…
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How One Fugly Loafer Became the Gorgeous “Virginia” Renaissance Shoe
The development story of our new “Virginia” Renaissance shoes is rather a long one (but I’ll keep it short, with lots of pictures, promise!). We’ve been working on the design since March,…
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A Quick Look At Late Elizabethan/Early Jacobean Shoes
Today we kick off a series on European footwear at the end of Elizabeth I’s reign, and beginning of James I’s, culminating on Friday with the pre-order release of our latest early-period…
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On Location at Bacon’s Castle – Journey to the 17th, 18th, and 19th Centuries
The Lady of Portland House shines in “Antoinette” Mules in blue While I was in Virginia this past March, I had the opportunity to work with some truly wonderful ladies at a…
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Ladies’ Elizabethan Separates Explored
Last time, I was musing over trim styles on doublets, but towards the end of that post I realized that perhaps the design I had in mind was a “fair-ism,” something that…
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Elizabethan Doublet Trimming Ideas
Diane d’Andouins by Etienne Dumonstier Earlier this year, when I was feverishly sewing for Colonial Williamsburg, I put together a quick test bodice in some russet velveteen. It was just to test…
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My Annual Sewing Rut
Once again, I have absolutely no motivation to make a single stitch of anything lately. I’ve learned that this is quite normal, and that if I force the issue I’ll regret it.…
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Elizabethan Costume Modeling at Nevada Museum of Art
This past weekend I modeled again for the painting class at the Nevada Museum of Art. It’s quite an enjoyable experience, even though sitting still for 3 hours is difficult. I enjoy…
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Introducing “Stratford” Elizabethan Shoes for Men and Women
I’m so happy to present to you “Stratford” Elizabethan Shoes, the product of blood, sweat, tears, and a great collaboration with Francis C. Classe, an excellent historical cordwainer (shoemaker) and footwear historian.…
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Chopines – Platforms of the Past
Chopines are so cool, especially when you compare them to the oh-so-modern heel-less shoes that are currently in fashion. I guess they’re not as modern as they think. 🙂 Via How do…
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A Trip to Valhalla Renaissance Faire, 2013
This past weekend was one of many festivities, one of which was the annual visit to Valhalla, our most local Renfaire. Oh Renfaire, how I love thee. A day of utter silliness…
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In Progress: Late 16th Century Doublet
Every once in awhile I go meandering off into other centuries. My love of costuming started with Elizabethan, and it is still a period I adore, though I seldom costume for it…