American Duchess Historic Shoes Blog
Antique Edwardian Shoe Rehab
I'm going to call it rehab instead of restoration, because these shoes were in a *state.* They were sent to me by a lovely follower who saw the potential in...
How To Move the Buttons on Your American Duchess Button Boots and Shoes
It's a question that's been asked many a time, so here's a handy tutorial to show you how to do it yourself. Luckily, moving the buttons on your button boots...
How To Make Your Own Pair of Couture Pompadour 18th Century Shoes
Last week, I showed you several pairs of custom-made shoes I designed for Whoopi Goldberg. I was so flattered by the comments - thank you! - and also a little...
Dyeing Those Dyeable Ivory Leather Boots (or Shoes)
Those of you who have been following for awhile will hear me go on and on about "dyeable ivory" this, and "dyeable ivory" that, when it comes to the leather...
Restoring Antique Shoes - How to Polish Leather Shoes
Ever since I started collecting antique shoes, I've been a little obsessive about restoration, primarily bringing leather shoes back from the dead. I look for the *worst* leather shoes on...
How To Paint Your Own 1920s Flapper Shoes
Hi! Today I'm going to show you how to take a pair of 1920s white "paint-your-own" 23Skidoo spectator t-strap heels and transform them into the most amazing, glamorous, show-stopping flapper...
V351: How To Make the Simplest 1920s Slip
Yesterday I showed you some original 1920s slips, and now today it's time to show you the results, as promised, of my own little project. Here is my finished slip...
V348: How To Do The 1940s Lip...
Yesterday I received Retro Makeup: Techniques for Applying the Vintage Look in the mail, and sat down right then and there and read through it. I'm fascinated by hair and...
V346: How to Make a Victorian Bustle - Pattern and Instructions
Hi all! Okay, I'm going to attempt to explain how to make the lobster tail bustle I posted about last time. I want to stress that there is no right...
V303: How To Create Flapper "Doll Eye" Makeup
Today's tutorial is inspired by several things - primarily Bette Davis and Clara Bow, and their ridiculously huge eyeballs, but also a blending of original flapper smokey eye makeup, and...
V289: Where to Wear - How To Throw Your Own Costume Events
Ladies attending the 2012 Titanic Memorial Tea, at a local tea shoppe called The Isles Hi All! Today I'm going to answer another question I get often - where to...
V278: How To Fit & Seam Your American Duchess Stockings
So you've purchased a pair of pretty silk stockings from my shop, and you love them, but perhaps they are a little big in the foot, or you would like...