American Duchess Historic Shoes Blog
Coco 2019 Gala - 1830s Explosion!
For this year's Costume College gala, the theme was "The Opulent Streets of Venice," which can be, well, anything really! Abby, Chrissy, and I decided to be opulently wide and...
Coco2019: Our Lore Olympus Cosplay
Back again with more sharing from Costume College 2019! Each year there is a pool party on Thursday night to kick off the Costume College weekend. The theme for the...
Costume College 2019
American Duchess crew in 18th century attire - Friday night at Costume College 2019 Another year, another fabulous Costume College! If you're unfamiliar with Costume College, it's a 5-day costuming...
The Eternal Sunshine of the 18th Century Gown
This year at Costume College it really was all very, very yellow This year I kindof copped out at the Costume College Gala...but in a very Georgian way. I can't...
The Green Goblin - 1790s Dress - For Real This Time
Nicole, me, and Samantha in our Regency gowns at Costume College 2018 I promised finished-dress-worn photos of this little devil of a 1790s project, so here goes... I was quite...
What to Do When Someone Else is Making the Same Dress As You...
(....or has made the same dress...) Do it anyway! I've recently been eyeballing the 1660 bodice from the V&A, remembering how much I love the 1660s and that I've only...
Costume College 2017!
Wherein we share lots of photos - though not nearly enough! Costume College is a feast for the eyes. There are so many incredible costumes on hundreds and hundreds of...
The Robe a la Turque - Progress!
Hi, it's Lauren... I promise, I HAVE been sewing. Promise! It's just been sllooowwwwwww. It's time to light a fire under my split bum, though - Costume College is in...
Pieces of Me - Remaking an 18th Century Gown
Sacque gown, partially deconstructed, 1765-69 - National Trust NT 1350856 It's commonly known that 18th century dress textiles were made and remade and remade again. A great many extant gowns...
Costume College Classes!
Today is like Christmas or Hanukkah for Costume College teachers. It's the day we have all been notified which of our class proposals were accepted, and then we all post...
My Big Fat Yellow English Gown - Finito!
Lauren here - Doesn't it just feel *so good* to best a cranky project, wear it, and love it? I'd been working on my yellow English Gown for most of...
The Enormous Costume College Picture Post
Costume College was fantastic this year! I had a great time, taught some classes, made new friends, caught up with old friends, ate chicken, wore enormous dresses. It was great....