American Duchess Historic Shoes Blog
French Fashion History, c. 1785-1805
The end of the eighteenth century was a seriously fascinating and pivotal time for fashion. Influenced by major cultural movements and political changes (the French Revolution, anyone?), fashions for European...
It's Hot: Let's Look At Some Bathing Suits
Hello lovelies- mid-August is upon us. It feels like pretty much everywhere, it's hot, hot, hot. And until the relief of fall comes, it will, presumably, continue to be hot....
Pink Popularity in the 18th Century
If you're anything like us, you have probably been really into the moment the color pink is having in fashion this summer, thanks to a certain iconic doll. It's been...
Gold, gold, gold! Gold Shoes Throughout History
As evidenced by our latest Fit for a Queen collection, team American Duchess has contracted a bit of gold fever. Our new Charlotte Mules feature a metallic gold leather heel...
Fit for a Queen Collection Pre-Order
Hear ye, hear ye, our June pre-order has started! We are thrilled to present the Fit for a Queen collection, which combines 18th century and Regency silhouettes with fantasy and...
Mules in Art: Part Deaux
Nearly ten years ago (omg), we published a blog post featuring mules in 18th century art for the first release of Antoinette Mules. Now that spring has arrived, Fêtes Galantes...
In Bloom: Bata Shoe Museum x American Duchess Collaboration Collection Pre-Order
We are so excited to announce an extra-special collaboration collection for pre-order: the In Bloom collection, designed in collaboration with the Bata Shoe Museum in Toronto, Canada! This collaboration collection...
Fabrics for the 18th Century and Beyond
Robe a la Francaise, 1770, LACMA M.2007.211 - beautiful and expensive printed cotton One of the top questions I get from budding 18th century costumers is "what fabric should I...
1780s Embroidered Italian Gown - Skirts and Sleeves
In the first post on this project, I constructed the bodice front and back. Now it's time for skirts - the fun part - and sleeves - the evil part....
A 1780s Embroidered Italian Gown - Finally
Most of my 2020 was spent in working on - and finishing! - UFOs or "unfinished objects." I completed my 1760s Sunset Silk Robe a la Francaise, an 1890s linen...
The February 2021 Collection is Here - {Pre-Order Open!}
Time for the first collection of 2021!This year, the big plan is to do a pre-order every single month through August (yowza!). Our February collection got off to a bit...
Motivation to Sew in the Time of Coronavirus
A 1930s UFO - it's not made well, but it's made! The year thus far has been a rollercoaster (understatement), and my sewing adventures have been rather manic-depressive - great...