Someone looks coooollldddd. It’s cold outside. Really cold. Really wet. Really windy. It can safely be assumed that back in the 18th c it was also cold, wet, and windy, particularly in…
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The Language of the Fan
It might very well be impossible to be a costumer and not have heard of “The Language of the Fan.” It’s like Latin – we all know it existed, but few of…
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Medivh: 18th c Men’s Patterning Terror
I’ve been looking for patterns for the entire World of Warcraft 18th c. men’s ensemble, but with very little luck. The costume is built on a basic men’s mid-18th c. wardrobe –…
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The KCI J&G Project: Reference and Mysterious Mysteries
The main question on my mind as of late has been “What does the jacket do in the back?” Obviously there is an extant, existing garment, yet no one except the lucky…
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8 Drool-Worthy 18th c. Dresses From the Kyoto Costume Institute
For some time now I’ve had the Kyoto Costume Institute’s book…the miniature version. It was not until this afternoon that I finally received the KCI “big book,” quite literally a costume “bible,”…
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Behind The Masque: Owl Mask Inspiration Pt. 2
With something as outlandish as what has been percolating in my head, concerning the mask to accompany the barn owl ensemble, I feel it necessary to put as much planning, forethought, and…
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Behind the Masque: Owl Mask Concept and References
What is more intriguing than and 18th c. Masquerade (and it’s masks)? American Duchess’ first monster project, which all the dress diary entries so far have been working towards, is the notorious…
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I’m NOT Crazy! – Examples of Incredible Feather Gowns
Holy Mackerel! Look what I found wandering the interwebs! This is an Yves Saint Laurent gown made of pheasant and vulture (vulture!?) feathers. It’s GORGEOUS!! I don’t have access to vultures, but…
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GREAT Hats of the Late 18th c. … [what are they and where do I get them?]
…That’s “GREAT” as in Great Dane, Great Blue Herron, and the Great Wall of China. With mountains of hair exploding from the tops of ladies’ heads throughout the 18th century, it made…
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Cross-Over Necklines – 1795
Here’s an awesome page choc full o’ information on Regency everything, from which all these pics today have come. People nowadays tend to think in terms of decade and/or sometimes entire centuries!…
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Is Regency A Good Idea?
I’ve been very on-the-fence about whether I want to go Regency era or scootch back towards the 1790s with this costume. My dilemma is that I don’t like Regency. Why not? Because…
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The Hair Up There – Enormous Wigs of the late 18th Century…
Much planning has already gone into The Barn Owl gown, from the undergown to the robe, to the underpinnings, and hair is not to be left out! I am mainly starting down…
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The Waist Conundrum…
In exploring shapes, patterns, and periods for this gown, I’ve run into a sort of conundrum as to what exactly I want in terms of waist. The robe I love love love…