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Introducing "Belleclaire" Edwardian Pumps - Pre-Order!

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...
American Duchess
Introducing "Victoria" Carriage Boots

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,...
American Duchess
1860s Purple People Eater - Finished, Just Barely! and the Magic of Gored Skirts

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...
American Duchess
1860s Purple People Eater Ballgown Bodice - Musings

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,...
American Duchess
Progress on the 1860s "Purple People Eater" Gown

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...
American Duchess

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...
American Duchess
Civil War Gown Inspiration and Plannings

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...
American Duchess
My 2014 Steampunk Ball Costume - Complete!

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...
American Duchess
Hard Lessons in Victorian Corset Making - My "Duh" Moments...

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...
American Duchess
Costume College 2014: Part The One

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,...
American Duchess
What to Wear to Costume College 2014

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,...
American Duchess
My First 1830s Dress - Complete!

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...
American Duchess