American Duchess Historic Shoes Blog
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,...
1860s Purple People Eater - Finished, Just Barely! and the Magic of Gored Skirts
This past Tuesday I was in a mad rush to finish the day version of my 1860s purple gown, just in time for the tree lighting ceremony downtown. This was...
1860s Purple People Eater Ballgown Bodice - Musings
In my mad rush to get three pieces of 1860s attire (and let's not even think about the accessories) done in time for a bevy of upcoming Victorian Christmas events,...
Progress on the 1860s "Purple People Eater" Gown
I have a million things going at the moment, and two major projects on the table, with all their various bits and bobs and parts and bodices and trims and...
Oh What a Beautiful Mourning - "Death Becomes Her" at the Met, Opening October 31
On the evening of October 31, a somber shadow shall fall over the halls of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute. For the first time in 15 years, the...
Civil War Gown Inspiration and Plannings
...oh yes, *plannings* !I have terrible Costume A-D-D at the moment. Terrible. One of the many things I want to make *right now* is a new Civil War gown. I...
My 2014 Steampunk Ball Costume - Complete!
So the ball was ages ago, but I didn't have a good photo of my whole costume until today. As it stands, you can't see much detail in this, but...
Hard Lessons in Victorian Corset Making - My "Duh" Moments...
Left side - boning, strength additions, and padding. I still have wrinkling, but it's better than it was.Right side - no boning, no strength layers, no padding. I can make...
Costume College 2014: Part The One
So as you all know, I spent the long weekend in L.A., attending Costume College, which was, is, and shall forever be *fabulous*Between the smartphone and the 10 lb Nikon,...
What to Wear to Costume College 2014
This year I didn't kill myself with insanity-sewing for Costume College. I realized I had more than enough costumes to choose from, and way too much in my work schedule,...
My First 1830s Dress - Complete!
I managed to finish something! It feels so good, considering the *pile* of started, half-finished, nearly-finished, and will-never-be-finished costume bits & bobs I have cluttering up my desk and all...