late night ramblings

[robinsnest]

I have a lot to do tomorrow, including a kitchen remodel at my sister's...so what am I doing awake at 1:15am!...I can't sleep. bah.

Anyway I spent a portion of the evening tonight looking around online for inspiration for the Dress U: Titanic Dinner while sharing links with madamekat (who was very patient to put up with me) I've never been that into the 1910s so I've never really looked for ones that I like. But this seems to be the occasion to dip my foot in. 

I've found several I like, I seem to be drawn to Queen Maud's style. I like these two which I can't seem to figure out WHERE they came from just that they're making the rounds in the blog world...so someone please tell me 



And especially this one.



So here's the hard part. The top two I can figure out making, buy the right fabric and it'll happen. But the bottom one...how does one DO that? I'm not beading the whole thing. I'm crazy but I'm not harmanhay . So as I lay there tonight unable to fall asleep the thought crossed my mind, what if I bought some reeeeeally crazy black beaded fabric, obviously not that specific one as it's too small but you get the idea, and carefully reverse appliqued the design out. There must be a way to make that dress. I just haven't figured it out yet. But clearly it's already keeping me up at night.
If you'd like the see the pinterest board I've created to track some inspiration images Here you go.

Comments

[madamekat.livejournal.com]

The V&A did an exhibit on her gowns a few years ago: http://www.vam.ac.uk/vastatic/microsites/1333_styleandsplendour/wardrobe/wardrobe6.html

[madamekat.livejournal.com]

Just for you I made a flickr set of all the nineteen teen dress images I've saved over the years. http://www.flickr.com/photos/14941369@N07/sets/72157627844484538/detail/

[sewloud.livejournal.com]

AAAAHHHH *SWOOOON* I'm in love

(http://www.flickr.com/photos/14941369@N07/6222925866/)

[madamekat.livejournal.com]

I know...so drapey and beaded! I think we found that beads are your sweet spot!

[sewloud.livejournal.com]

*pets the pretty orange dress* yes yes I think they are.

[estela-dufrayse.livejournal.com]

oh my god! the curator in me is cringing at the modern manniken they've used in this mounting! UGH!

I do love the gown though, beautiful!

[jenlemus.livejournal.com]

You know why you're swooning for these don't you? This silhouette is very much in style right now. The modern equivalent is skinny jeans and a drapey sweater.

It's amazing how much things still echo.

[blackcat452.livejournal.com]

I love the orange! I've been checking out the teens stuff too. I think that reverse applique idea could work, and just bead on the Greek keys.

[operafantomet.livejournal.com]

All the dresses you posted were queen Maud's. The coral and blue dresses are described as "Two evening gowns, 1910-13". The blue has "a skirt of satin, which is caught up in front over a beaded tunic. Layers of lace and embroidered chiffon form the upper part of the bodice. The hems of the gown and train are trimmed with fur, and more lace can be seen where the satin is pulled up in front."

The coral/red is "made of a variety of materials, creating layers of contrast, including pink silk, silver lace, red silk chiffon with silver embroidery and diamanté, as well as deep red velvet. The velvet fills the neckline, circles the high waist with a bow at the front, and forms a band at knee height with a bow at the back."

The black and white is a Worth dress from 1912-13, in the model "Arlesienne". It's the earliest surviving dress Worth made for Maud, and it's described as "evening gown in white silk covered with tulle, beaded in white and black. Simple in style and with a high waist, the dress corresponds with the prevailing 'Directoire' designs pionered by Paul Poiret. However, this example - with its Greek key and acanthus leaf pattern - embodies a more explicit interpretation of classicism."

The book "Style and Splendor. The style of Queen Maud of Norway" is so worth its price. The photos are fantastic and the outfits splendid. And it's especially cool to be following the great change in style from the 1890s to the 1930s through the wardrobe of ONE woman. Especially one who could afford the best of the best.