For anyone interested in 18th century costume research, particularly French sources, check out the amazing La Mesur d'Excellence. The Modes section includes scans (sometimes many pages, sometimes only a few) of some really important and rare sources. It's worth clicking on the preview images, because sometimes the full "image" actually includes a couple of pages (not shown in the preview). What an amazing collection!
If you're interested in buying the catalog for the 18th century court costume exhibit discussed below (Fastes de Cour), it's now available at the cheapest price here from Amazon.fr. Yes, the interface is all in French, but the layout/buttons are exactly the same as the English language version, so it shouldn't be too hard to figure out -- and you can sign in to your Amazon.com account and it will pull up all your info. (Random site note: adding tags to this post to see if those are useful; if so, I'll eventually go back and tag older entries too.)
If you don't live anywhere near Paris, be depressed with me that you are missing what looks like one of the more fabulous costume exhibits ever: Fastes de Cour: Le Costume de Cour en Europe, 1650-1800, currently on exhibit at the Chateau de Versailles. The website is fabulous, I've just ordered the catalogue, but I am still depressed. I am even more depressed to miss the symposium in early June. Do check out the website. Make sure you zoom the pictures. Le sigh.
Last Saturday was the PEERS Scarlet Pimpernel ball. And you know 18th century = love! So that, plus the fact that other friends were going, encouraged me to go. I so love figure dance (English country, quadrilles, you name it), so it was lots of fun to get to dance, plus there were lots of lovely people to chat with. And it was yet another chance to revamp my 1770s pouf wig -- this time with lots of curls in back! And ship! I've posted photos.
I made some very practical 18th century skirt supports, primarily to go under my 1775 maja gown, but also under Nell Gwyn and other eras. I've added pictures and details on my 18th century costume gallery page.
[DAY-mo-day] adjective: old fashioned, out of style, unfashionable [from French, the past participle of démoder "to go out of fashion," from mode "fashion"].
