American Duchess Historic Shoes Blog
The Late 1860s Aubergine Ballgown
Me and Kristen at the ball - photo by Nevada Live Magazine I couple weekends ago I was all a-tussle finishing the evening bodice for my new purple 1860s gown....
1860s Purple People Eater - Finished, Just Barely! and the Magic of Gored Skirts
This past Tuesday I was in a mad rush to finish the day version of my 1860s purple gown, just in time for the tree lighting ceremony downtown. This was...
Oh What a Beautiful Mourning - "Death Becomes Her" at the Met, Opening October 31
On the evening of October 31, a somber shadow shall fall over the halls of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute. For the first time in 15 years, the...
Costume College: Part the Second
I've been bad about posting the rest of my Costume College photos, and sharing the festivities. Sorry! Better late that never, right? Here are some shots (mine unless otherwise credited)...
The Lake Tahoe Gatsby, 2014
It's August, which means Gatsby. It's one of my favorite events, a delightfully relaxed little picnic at the Pope Mansion in South Lake Tahoe. This year my dad came. He's...
Costume College 2014: Part The One
So as you all know, I spent the long weekend in L.A., attending Costume College, which was, is, and shall forever be *fabulous*Between the smartphone and the 10 lb Nikon,...
What to Wear to Costume College 2014
This year I didn't kill myself with insanity-sewing for Costume College. I realized I had more than enough costumes to choose from, and way too much in my work schedule,...
My First 1830s Dress - Complete!
I managed to finish something! It feels so good, considering the *pile* of started, half-finished, nearly-finished, and will-never-be-finished costume bits & bobs I have cluttering up my desk and all...
Dinner at The Parlor Again, Now With Added Vintage
From left: Monica, Chrissy, Curtis, Maggie, Sam, Kathy, and me. To round out my trip to visit friends in the Bay Area this weekend, we all made an effort to...
The First Reno Tweed Ride
A couple weekends ago, a group of 15 intrepid, tweed-clad cyclists gathered in Idylwild Park in Reno, and endeavored to ride their noble mechanical steeds through downtown, to the University...
A Few Snaps from Our 3rd Annual Titanic Tea
Last weekend was our local costuming club's first event of the year - our 3rd Annual Titanic Memorial Tea - and what a nice kick-off to "the season" it was....
More Highlights from Williamsburg and Jamestown
I was quite terrible (and busy) and didn't take a lot of photos, but here are a few more from the trip... Day 1... Maggie and I arrived, dropped our...