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Here's the place for all costumes non-LotR-related; which means I'm showing you all the other stuff I'm doing: Medieval, Renaissance, Fantasy, other movie costumes, streetwear...

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20/11/2011

Quick update, nothing special...I'm doing more and more via my Facebook account, so if you want to keep up or chat, just
follow Very Faery there...link above leads directly to my page.
Problem with this site is that I have to upload via FTP and I don't have my FTP on my laptop. I can only access the computer
that has the FTP on weekends when I'm home, and most of the time, I'm far too lazy....

Anyway, let me point you to my photos of the "Dressing the Stars" costume exhibition in Bath that took place earlier this year.
There's a total of some 700 photos in my Photobucket, just click the thumbnail ~ it's all sorted by film in the right hand column:

I just noticed yesterday that I missed a very intriguing exhibit at Versailles (again!) dealing with the reception of 18th century
fashion into modern couture:

Several designers took their turn at 18th-century-inspired frocks, here are just two of my favourites
by Oliver Theyskens and Maison Dior:

Interestingly, the Dior gown sports a replica of a necklace that was allegedly the one involved in the famous
"Affair of the Necklace" that added further to the downfall of Marie Antoinette. The necklace itself hasn't survived
as the diamonds were sold individually, but there's a drawing from a slightly later point of time showing us what
this famous piece of jewelry looked like - or so they say.

More on the exhibit, including some bigger pictures, can be found on this blog.

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Last but not least, here's one of my original tiara designs that I'm coming up with now:

Until next time,
Ela
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31/08/2011

Very Faery does now have an OFFICIAL Facebook site! Hence the link above does not lead to my private account anymore,
but to the brand spanking new Very Faery Facebook page. No private nonsense anymore, strictly costume orientated and
already packed with updates. Check it out for photos from the recent 'Dressing the Stars' exhibition. My report and pictures
will of course follow up here, too....

Very Faery Facebook Page

22/07/2011

Another exhibition of interest:

'Sisi - Mythos und Wahrheit'
April 9th - October 3rd
Schloss Britz, Berlin
http://www.schlossbritz.de/

It's about empress Elisabeth of Austria, commonly known as 'Sisi' (pronounced 'Sissy').
The title translates as 'Myth and truth'. The exhibition is set to reveal some unknown facts
about the life of the shy and solitary empress and to shed a light on some of the rumors
that surround her personality. On display are 3 out of 9 extant dresses of the empress, one
of them a rare example of a so-called 'light dress' that the empress wore only for important
dates such as the emperor's birthday or state occasions (she usually wore black mourning
after her son Rudolf committed suicide). Also, some of the diamond stars she loved to wear
in her hair when she was younger are on display (replica and original ones) and a beautiful
copy of the so-called 'ruby parure', a set of necklace, earrings and tiara made of diamonds
rubies (it can be seen in the last portrait she posed for). Swarovksi generously made a replica
of the piece which was lost in the commotion surrounding the abdication and exile of the
Austrian royal family after 1918. Also on display are several letters, toiletry, a nightgown,
a replica of her dressing gown from this painting using original pieces of lace, a gorgeous
reconstruction of one of her hairdos, poems she wrote and many other things.
It includes a walk through the historical rooms of the little Schloss which once belonged to
illustrious German families. The rooms are exquisitely furnished. At the end waits a little
retrospective about Empress Elisabeth in film which includes an original riding costume
worn by Romy Schneider in the famous 'Sissi'-films from the fifties.
It's a small exhibition though which takes roughly 30-40 minutes to walk through.
Photography is not allowed and unfortunately, there's no real catalogue or postcards of the
textiles (just some postcards of portraits and a general book about Sisi which has a small
picture of the light dress and a slightly bigger one of a dress that's not on display here). Still,
it's a lovely little exhibition and I recommend seeing it when you happen to go to Berlin the
next few months. It's on until October 3rd, then all the items will return to their original place,
the Hofburg in Vienna.

15/07/2011

Exhibition Update

There are a lot of very interesting exhibitions going on at the moment or coming up in the near future.
I'm going to see some of them but not all, so anyone who goes there, please let me know (photos,
impressions, reports etc., everything is welcome).

First is an impressive exhibition of theatre and stage costumes from the vast collection of the Austrian
National Theatre Museum in Vienna.

The title roughly translates as "Dress up, change, seduce". The main focus is on the work of the costume
designer and how it has to fit into certain arrangements such as light, setting and general staging. The
exhibition presents costumes from two centuries, the oldest dating from about 1840. Among them are some
rarities and spectacular designs such as costumes that belonged to famous dancer Rudolf Nurejew or that
were designed by Pablo Picasso.

The exhibition runs until December. There's a catalogue available at the price of 35 Euro. My
recommendation: GET IT! It's a beautiful book with loads of detailed photos and some very interesting essays
on the subject. Here's a selection of the items on display:

Next on the list is an exhibition of movie costumes at the Fashion Museum in Bath, UK.

"Dressing the stars" shows costumes from films such as The Duchess, Pride & Prejudice, The King's Speech, The
Young Victoria (yum!) and many many others. From what I get, the focus is mainly on Georgian costumes which fits
the setting of th exhibition in the Bath's sophisticated Assembly Rooms that date from the period. The exhibition runs
until August 29th. Apparently, photography is allowed. Here's a first glimpse as to what can be expected - wonderful!
I don't know if there's a catalogue or an exhibition book as in Worcester (Starstruck in the Cathedral, which was very
similar) so we'll have to wait and see.

Parallel to that, the Fashion Museum is having its own exhibition
What Will She Wear? The Enduring Romance of the Wedding Dress running until January 8th 2012.


The third major exhibit is taking place at Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, a place that has a reputation for their
splendid arrays and books about fashion.

Apparently, Historic Threads is going to be about court fashion. I don't know if there'll be a real exhibition as well. A the
moment, only the online version is open. However, it's definitely worth a look!

New Threads about reproduction clothing sound very interesting as well - I so hope there'll be a printed catalogue for both!


That's all for today. I'm off to Berlin for a few days. Let's hope I come back with some more fashion pics :-)
Dress of the month will follow then as well.

Until then,

Ela

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11/06/2011

Just a quick update to show you some pictures I took at the Bavarian National Museum two days ago.

In the 1980s, during renovations in a church in the small town of Lauingen, the graves/coffins of the count
palatinate and his family were opened. Inside were the almost prefectly preserved clothes of the count,
the countess, several of their children and other members of the family - all dating from the first half of the
17th century.

Especially the dress that the countess wore is a fine example of a german garment of the time. It was
inspired by the omnipresent spanish court fashion. It shows how this fashion was received and adapted
in Germany and thus gives us an idea of how the image and concept of 'fashion' was conceived in times
past.

It's really surprising in how good a condition these garments are, given the fact that they're well-nigh 400
years old....

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Dress of the month   Jacket, ca. 1790 France Kyoto Costume Institute Inventory Number: AC9113 94-11-2

Description What I like about this dress: I have a thing for stripes, which work particularly well with the cut of this example. The jacket has a lovely pinked collar and the large buttons almost place it into the line of men's riding wear. The simple white muslin skirt goes perfectly with the jacket as it doesn't distract too much.

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07/05/2011 - Narnia costume article and dress of the month

Well, looooong time no see here....I'm really sorry for not updating, but my job keeps me busy these days. I'll try to write one costume-related post
each week though from now on and upload on weekends (which is the only time I'm near my home computer which has all the fancy upload gear).

Anyway, in the meantime you can always read an article about the costumes in the recent Narnia films that I have written for Costume Chronicles.
Just click on "Current issue" and then "Download" and it'll lead you to a secure site where you can download this fabulous online magazine in PDF
format.

It's the March & April 2011 issue and the article is entitled "Snowy Linen and Slashed Sleeves - Clothing in The Chronicles of Narnia
books and films".

Enjoy!


BTW speaking of Narnia, I've also finished a King Caspian outfit from the recent "Dawn Treader" installment. Pics soon to follow....

I've no new costume pics otherwise but I prepared this gallery a while ago in order to introduce a new feature called "Dress of the month" where I
randomly pick a costume that I like and post it here together with some info. Well, this painted silk robe à la française from the V&A collection has
always been one of my favourites....so, I'm officially introducing "Dress of the month" now :-)

Dress of the month   Robe à la française, Sack back gown ca. 1760-1770 Victoria & Albert Museum, London Accession Number T.115-1953 Location: British Galleries, room 118a, case 9

Description My pictures What I like about this dress: The way the painted flowers and butterflies still sparkle on the shiny silk of the dress. The colors are so bright and vivid you almost won't believe it's painted, and that it's 250 years old!

That's all for today....

See you soon!
*~* Ela *~*

** Last but not least, I still have a request...or rather favor to ask. Any of you who took photos of the Captain Teague costume at San Diego Comic Con 2007 - please please, pretty please, send them to me! It doesn't matter what size or resolution. I'm just so crazy about this costume (which is 1/3 finished, by the way). Please send any pics to arwen_undomiel[at]rivendell.zzn.com - just replace the [at]. Thanks! :o)

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