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Musing on A Natural Form Spring - 1870s Photoshoot at The Lake Mansion

Musing on A Natural Form Spring - 1870s Photoshoot at The Lake Mansion

Sometimes I get so busy I forget to share things, like this lovely photo shoot we did last Spring with a wonderful girl, Siera, at a wonderful local historic home...
American Duchess
An 1880s Wool Ensemble - Beginnings

An 1880s Wool Ensemble - Beginnings

Last week I shared with you the beautiful "Russian Seasons" coat from Armstreet.com, paired with an 1880s wool skirt I threw together for the occasion. The skirt was made from...
American Duchess
How to Use a Victorian Button Hook - Video!

How to Use a Victorian Button Hook - Video!

Those of you who costume for mid-Victorian through Great War will be familiar with side-buttoning boots. They're iconic and beautiful, but can be a little tricky to get closed if...
American Duchess
An Early 1880s  "Anna Karenina" Winter Outfit via Armstreet.com

An Early 1880s "Anna Karenina" Winter Outfit via Armstreet.com

I have a slightly inexplicable love of Slavicn-inspired Victorian and Edwardian clothing. The cold weather rolls around and I just feel compelled to make something with a lot of braidwork...
American Duchess
Spotlight on Tango Boots - Video!

Spotlight on Tango Boots - Video!

I made a video! I know that doesn't seem like a big deal in today's hugely visual world, but I worked *all day* on this and I'm proud of it,...
American Duchess
My New Victorian Corset by Anachronism in Action

My New Victorian Corset by Anachronism in Action

Over my years of historical costuming, I've learned enough about corsetry to know I know nothing. This is engineering to a T, with bust-to-waist ratios, shaping, materials knowledge and use,...
American Duchess
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
Auditioning for the Donner Party

Auditioning for the Donner Party

Just on a lark, a few of us Great Basin Costume ladies went to an audition for a Donner Party documentary filming this year. We were in costume and all...
American Duchess
Tagged: Victorian
Late 1860s at the P.E.O Sisterhood's Founder's Day Luncheon

Late 1860s at the P.E.O Sisterhood's Founder's Day Luncheon

This past weekend I attended a lovely event where a few members of our local costuming group, Great Basin Costume Society, were invited to dress in 1860s costume to represent...
American Duchess
A Mid-to-Late 1860s Elliptical Hoop Skirt

A Mid-to-Late 1860s Elliptical Hoop Skirt

One of the things that became obvious with my purple 1860s gown was that my underpinnings were no longer doing the job. Due to shortage of fabric, I cut my...
American Duchess
"Renoir" Civil War Photo Shoot with Eras of Enchantment

"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...
American Duchess
The Late 1860s Aubergine Ballgown

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....
American Duchess