I'm back! I'm alive!

Costume College was splendid this year. I had SO much fun, met and chatted with so many cool people, and took so...SO...many photos. I'm breaking this up into pieces just because there are really THAT many photos.

So before I start - what *is* Costume College, anyway?

Costume College is an annual gathering of costume enthusiasts, of all skill levels, that takes place in L.A. each August. Costumers from all over the world attend - this year we had Cathy from England, Merja from Finland, and Christina from Germany, as well as the beautiful hordes of West Coastians, all dressed to the nines in their finest.

So now that you know, let's go! First...the drive. It's about 8 hours between Reno and L.A., but there are some beautiful sights to see...

American Duchess Historic Shoes Blog

American Duchess Historic Shoes Blog

American Duchess Historic Shoes Blog

Once I arrived, it was time for festivities...
American Duchess Historic Shoes Blog
Okay, so I might have squealed kindof a lot when I met Merja...
American Duchess Historic Shoes Blog
Elizabeth in her original vintage bathingsuit
American Duchess Historic Shoes Blog
The theme this year was "Cavalier With a Touch of Pirate." The 17th century gowns were splendid
American Duchess Historic Shoes Blog
Tudor Tailor Reticella Lace on the collar of this gorgeous black silk 17th c. gown
American Duchess Historic Shoes Blog

American Duchess Historic Shoes Blog
Stephanie and Lauren M. wearing Astoria an Gibson shoes
American Duchess Historic Shoes Blog

American Duchess Historic Shoes Blog
Katherine Caron-Grieg in Regency perfection
American Duchess Historic Shoes Blog
Merja's incredible 18th c. riding habit - more squee-ing.
American Duchess Historic Shoes Blog
Jen, another of my heroes, in her gorgeous riding habit. That color!!
American Duchess Historic Shoes Blog
Details of Merja's riding habit
American Duchess Historic Shoes Blog
Rebecca in a beautiful Robe a la Turque, for the Ice Cream Social
American Duchess Historic Shoes Blog
My first curtain-along dress, the 1780 Indienne, for the Ice Cream Social
American Duchess Historic Shoes Blog
18th century Disney Princesses - *genius* !
American Duchess Historic Shoes Blog
Pompadours and 23Skidoo shoes makes an appearance
American Duchess Historic Shoes Blog
My favorite picture of Elizabeth ever.
American Duchess Historic Shoes Blog
Natalie in Regency glamour
American Duchess Historic Shoes Blog
Jen's Regency open robe and turban - I adore this ensemble!
American Duchess Historic Shoes Blog
Cynthia in a dress from Kyoto Costume Institute
American Duchess Historic Shoes Blog
Kendra in her Marie Antoinette black and white Redingote
American Duchess Historic Shoes Blog
Mary Johns in beautiful 18th c. men's wear worn in "Courage, New Hampshire"
American Duchess Historic Shoes Blog
Merja and Kendra had made matching Marie Antoinette redingotes, both utterly fantastic
American Duchess Historic Shoes Blog
Details from the costumes on exhibit - this one made by Natalie Meyer, fashioned after Glenn Close's costumes in Dangerous Liaisons.
American Duchess Historic Shoes Blog
My favorite from the display room - a Directoire Revival gown from the 1890s, by Chantal Filson
American Duchess Historic Shoes Blog
A gorgeous 1830s bonnt by Diane Yoshitomi
American Duchess Historic Shoes Blog
A ribbon bonnet decoration - really fun and adds a lot of texture.
American Duchess Historic Shoes Blog
One last detail from the costume room - I loved the bold and sophisticated combination of colors on this bonnet. Like candy!
Want more pictures? Okay, this is only half! I'll have more to share with you soon. :-)