American Duchess Historic Shoes Blog
Plimoth Plantation: Call For Papers!
I'm boosting the signal for anyone interested in presenting at the Plimoth Plantation conference "Trimmings: Adorning the Fashionable Figure in the 17th Century," taking place June 6 -7, 2015 at...
1920s Flashy Dancing Shoes
Shiny shiny was big in the 1920s. Legs and shoes were on display more than ever, with flashy footwear being all the rage for an evening of vigorous dancing. Style...
PRE-ORDER Exclusive #3 - "Cicero" 1920s Pumps
These days we modernes can be pretty reserved with our shoes, but back in the 1920s, the flashier the better. Legs were on show and dancing was all the rage,...
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....
Cycle 3 Exclusive - Vote for Colors!
We've gotten a bit bogged down with the various holidays worldwide, but we're gearing up for production to start again, so it's time for another Exclusive! The winner of the...
American Duchess In The News!
I was interviewed by a local news network last week, and here's the little video! It's another behind-the-scenes look at our home business. I have a tendency to say stupid...
Behind the Scenes of our 2014 Winter Photo Shoot
Last November Chris and I set up a photo shoot with first-time model Anna McIlwee, who was to be our Siberian Snow Princess in a beautiful winter landscape. Trouble was,...
"Renoir" Civil War Photo Shoot with Eras of Enchantment
Last October I had the opportunity to shoot with one of my regular, gorgeous models, Liza. You might remember her from our Gibson and Astoria shoots last year. This shoot...
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...
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....
Introducing "Belleclaire" Edwardian Pumps - Pre-Order!
Darlings, meet "Belleclaire," our second Exclusive design chosen by you! Based on a pair of 1900-1910 satin pumps in Les Arts Decoratifs, these Edwardian stunners will pair wonderfully with any...
Introducing "Victoria" Carriage Boots
Today's post is all about carriage boots. I'm maybe a little TOO excited about our new "Victoria" Carriage Boots...I'm...well...wearing them right now. They went to Starbucks with me this morning,...