American Duchess Historic Shoes Blog
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...
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...
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...
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...
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,...
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,...
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....
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...
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...
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...
"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...
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....