This weekend, I took an impromptu trip to the Bay Area to see beloved friends. And then there was food, wine, and Cards Against Humanity. The official vintage-costume-party is actually tomorrow night…
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Vintage 1950s Suits
Everyone seems to have a different idea of 1950s fashion, from poodle skirts to shirtwaist frocks, giant petticoats to wiggle dresses. The lovely part is that there were *all* these styles and…
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How To Make Your Own Pair of Couture Pompadour 18th Century Shoes
Last week, I showed you several pairs of custom-made shoes I designed for Whoopi Goldberg. I was so flattered by the comments – thank you! – and also a little frustrated that…
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About Whoopi Goldberg’s Custom Made Shoes
A few months ago, I was asked by Whoopi Goldberg to design some custom shoes. She asked me to make “four pair as rich looking and feeling as you can with your…
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Opinions Please: Fur, Plastic, and Sheepskin
Albany Institute, 1875-85 Darlings, how do we feel about fur? How do we feel about faux fur? And how do we feel about sheepskin? The reason I ask is because I’ve been…
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Introducing “Savoy” Edwardian Shoes – Pre-Order Now Open!
I’m so happy to finally *properly* introduce you to “Savoy,” the fully-beaded, multi-strapped Edwardian stunners inspired directly by antiques in collections like The Met, The V & A, and Shoe Icons. Here…
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The First Reno Tweed Ride
A couple weekends ago, a group of 15 intrepid, tweed-clad cyclists gathered in Idylwild Park in Reno, and endeavored to ride their noble mechanical steeds through downtown, to the University of Nevada,…
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Bright-Ass Yellow 18th Century English Gowns
I’ve been obsessed with bright yellow 18th century (and Regency) gowns for awhile now, and yet I still don’t have one. The marigold hue is swoon-worthy, but also intimidating, but now it’s…
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Buyer’s Guide to 18th Century Cotton Floral Prints
One question I receive a lot is, “where do I find appropriate 18th century floral prints?” I realize that it’s taken *years* to source these out, so to save you time (and…
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The Beginnings of a Little Pierrot Jacket…Finally
This weekend I knuckled down, found some motivation, and did some honest-to-goodness historical sewing. I’ve had this gorgeous Colonial Williamsburg print since 2012, but it’s taken me this long to make it…
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Introducing the New “Georgiana” 18th Century Shoes, And How to Dye Them Perfectly
Today, after years of re-development, I’m happy to announce that “Georgiana” 18th century shoes have returned! “Georgiana” was the first American Duchess shoe style ever, but after we sold out of our…
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My New Old WWI Blouse
Last month, directly after our annual Titanic Tea, I went a-hunting on eBay and found this lovely blouse. I’m sure with more research I could date this to a more specific year,…
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A New 1950s Dress for Me
I managed to sew something…or…*finish* something, I should say. Yippee! A simple dress with a figure-skimming, yet relaxed, fit. I needed a quick-and-easy project to get me excited about costuming again. 20th…
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The Reno Tweed Ride: Inspiration
Coming up in June, our local Steampunk group is hosting the first Reno Tweed Ride, wherein a lot of nutters dress up in, well, tweed, and ride bicycles through Downtown Reno. Yes,…
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An Original “Astoria” Edwardian Shoe Restored
A little while ago, our wonderful customer Deb found an original “Astoria” shoe languishing in an antique shop. She asked if I’d like to have it, to which I enthusiastically responded, “absolutely!”…
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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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18th c. Quilted Petticoat Progress
I realize I did a lot of work for my trip to Colonial Williamsburg that I then didn’t finish in time…and didn’t share with you. Followers on Facebook will know I found…
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Shoe News from American Duchess
I’ve been deep in the Caverns of Business, carefully setting up lots of exciting new things for you guys – new collaborations, bunches of new styles for Summer and Fall, and re-ordering…
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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…
