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I. Miller & Sons - Shoes for Movie Stars, Chorus Girls, and You.

I. Miller & Sons - Shoes for Movie Stars, Chorus Girls, and You.

There are a few names in the history of footwear that conjure up instant praise and awe. You may know a few - Pietro Yantorny, Roger Vivier, and I. Miller....
American Duchess
English Gowns of the 18th Century

English Gowns of the 18th Century

I've had my sewing confidence rattled lately by the utter failure of my Robe a la Turque, so I'm sorely in need of some hand-holding through a project. Enter the...
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Early Victorian Slippers (to Get Excited About)

Early Victorian Slippers (to Get Excited About)

Women's slippers, c. 1850 - LACMA Today's post is all about slippers worn c. 1820s - 1850s (so a little pre-Victorian). Surprisingly ladies shoes remained fairly unchanged during this time....
American Duchess
Mademoiselle Guimard in Turkish...or Chinese...Costume

Mademoiselle Guimard in Turkish...or Chinese...Costume

In my journey concerning The Turque thus far, I've learned that contemporary French terminology surrounding this type of gown, and other orientalist gowns, is fuzzy. Levites, Circassiennes, Polonaises, Turques...they kindof...
American Duchess
So a Robe a la Turque is What, Exactly...?

So a Robe a la Turque is What, Exactly...?

In my first post about the Robe a la Turque, I wound up with more questions than I answered, realizing I'd only just peeked into the rabbit hole that is...
American Duchess
Costume Analytics: What Is a Robe a la Turque Anyway?

Costume Analytics: What Is a Robe a la Turque Anyway?

It's been a long time since I've done a Costume Analytics, but I've found myself entering "new territory" with a type of 18th century gown I *thought* I understood until...
American Duchess
Bellas Hess & Co. 1917-1918 Fashion Catalogue - Free Download!

Bellas Hess & Co. 1917-1918 Fashion Catalogue - Free Download!

Ladies, I didn't quite get through this insane project before Thanksgiving, and I am still working on the print-on-demand book, but for those of you that would like the digital...
American Duchess
Preview Pages from the Bellas Hess 1917-18 Winter Catalogue

Preview Pages from the Bellas Hess 1917-18 Winter Catalogue

I recently received a number of vintage and antique catalogs, from my good friend Lady Carolyn. Most of them - Delineators, McCalls, Bella Hess - are in very fragile condition,...
American Duchess
A Quick Look At Late Elizabethan/Early Jacobean Shoes

A Quick Look At Late Elizabethan/Early Jacobean Shoes

Today we kick off a series on European footwear at the end of Elizabeth I's reign, and beginning of James I's, culminating on Friday with the pre-order release of our...
American Duchess
Bright-Ass Yellow 18th Century English Gowns

Bright-Ass Yellow 18th Century English Gowns

I've been obsessed with bright yellow 18th century (and Regency) gowns for awhile now, and yet I still don't have one. The marigold hue is swoon-worthy, but also intimidating, but...
American Duchess
Ladies' Elizabethan Separates Explored

Ladies' Elizabethan Separates Explored

Last time, I was musing over trim styles on doublets, but towards the end of that post I realized that perhaps the design I had in mind was a "fair-ism,"...
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Elizabethan Doublet Trimming Ideas

Elizabethan Doublet Trimming Ideas

Diane d'Andouins by Etienne Dumonstier Earlier this year, when I was feverishly sewing for Colonial Williamsburg, I put together a quick test bodice in some russet velveteen. It was just...
American Duchess