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noreply@blogger.com (Kendra) — Fri, 16 May 2008 21:51:00 +0000

COMMENTARY

Dangerous Liaisons on Broadway

Although I don't tend to follow Broadway too closely (not being near enough to go!), there's a production of Les Liaisions Dangereuses currently on stage with Laura Linney (Marquise de Merteuil) and Mamie Gummer (Meryl Streep's daughter, as Cecile) that has quite nice costuming! I particularly like the Marquise's goldish gown with reddish trimmings. You can see photos on the official site, as well as a video preview at Broadwayworld.com. The only thing that ISN'T grabbing me is Mme de Tourvel's blue dress - zzzz - but then it's probably to show her character's boring nice-ness, eh?

noreply@blogger.com (Kendra) — Wed, 14 May 2008 22:40:00 +0000

COMMENTARY

Chic Chicago online exhibit

While the physical exhibit has closed, you can still check out the online version of the Chic Chicago exhibit at FIT. All the costumes are from the Chicago History Museum's collection. A lot of really pretty stuff, but I am particularly digging this 1927 Lanvin robe de style (the trim is amazing!).

noreply@blogger.com (Kendra) — Tue, 13 May 2008 21:15:00 +0000

COMMENTARY

Bonham's costume & textiles sale

Bonham's auction house recently held a sale entitled, "The Fashion Wardrobe 1700-1960." You can see pictures of the costumes in a number of places - Monsters & Critics has a photo series (not sure I'm loving the prairie bonnet with the 1820s sheer dress), and Bonhams has both highlights from the preview and the online catalog. I think my favorite is this bustle gown.

noreply@blogger.com (Kendra) — Mon, 12 May 2008 22:20:00 +0000

EVENTS

Costume Con documentation!

And no, not the historical masquerade variety! I have been SO wiped since Costume Con that I didn't even upload my photos/video until yesterday. But I finally got it together to post my photos to Flickr (posted there because most of them are very, very random) and videos (most of which will be boring if you aren't in them - the cupcake dance, the cupcake dance pt. 2, and a bit of the Eugenie ladies standing on stage after receiving our award [I do like Trystan's fist pumping action!]). Also, Trystan posted the latest Frock Flicks podcast, recorded live at Costume Con 26 - please to enjoy!

I am working on getting all the info up on the Eugenie dresses, but unfortunately am waiting for the official Con photographers to post their photos from that night (altho there are lots of photos of us out there, most of them aren't the clearest).

On Saturday I went to Cain's Crossing Renaissance faire with a few others from Bella Donna - no stage show, just lots of singing and having fun. Now I am seriously jonesing for a new Venetian dress, but of course not for the fabric I already have! Where oh where can a girl find a green & gold damask (in silk or cotton/rayon) without spending $10,000, I ask you?

noreply@blogger.com (Kendra) — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 22:19:00 +0000

EVENTS

Costume Con report pt. 2 - the VERY long version

I arrived Thursday morning, checked into my room, and headed off to help install the exhibit by about 11-12ish. The exhibit was REALLY cool, but HA-UGE -- I ended up spending eleven hours helping install, and they weren't even done when I left! It was really fun to look at the various costumes close up, especially because some of them were vintage. My mourning dress (front and back ended up near the back of the exhibit, but still viewable.

Friday I wore my Bet costume, as it is relatively comfy and silly. That was a busy day - first we had the live, studio audience recording of the Frock Flicks podcast, which should be online in a week or two. From there I went to docent the exhibit for an hour, then ran into the 18th century social, then missed the GBACG mini-board meeting in favor of last minute historical masquerade DRAMA (which I won't go into, but was major and caused many a melt down).

Friday evening, post-drama, was the Victorian Underwear Social, to which I refused to wear Victorian undies! My undies are boring, sorry kids (except maybe my 18th c. stays, which were on my dress form in the exhibit). Instead I wore my candy cane bustle dress - evening version - and had a lovely time chatting and talking shop with other costumers.

Near the end of the social, Trystan and I retired to our room to host the Pretty Pretty Princess party, which turned out to be the party of the CENTURY (yes, even though we're only 8 years into it!). Apparently we were the only party going that evening, so we had a TON of people there - many good friends, and a bunch of people who I don't know. There were many cocktails and much jumping on beds singing "I Will Survive" and other ridiculousness.

Saturday my historical masquerade entry group had to be up at the crack of dawn to rehearse our presentation at 8am - urgh! However we got things together quickly, so that was good. I had planned to wear my black & ivory 1920s dress, only to take it out and find it was stained and needed a cleaning. Oh well, jeans for me! I hit the dealer's room, lounged around, then taught my draping demo in the afternoon. Later I popped in to the GBACG tea in the hospitality suite, then went to Bess & Teddy's really, really great 16th century panel.

Saturday night was the scifi/fantasy masquerade - I wore my Florentine which continued to have bodice wrinkles and be generally evil. I didn't make it too late that night - hit the wall of tired and went to bed around 1am (which was early, compared to most everyone else!)

Sunday was mostly spent prepping for the historical masquerade, with workmanship judging and giving ourselves LOTS of time to get ready. The masquerade itself was amazing - definitely very nervous waiting to go on, but then there we went and I forgot about being nervous. There were a lot of really amazing costumes, although I only got to see most of them from backstage - a really gorgeous late 1860s couple, and a woman who did Mme de Pompadour from Dr. Who. I was most excited about Lindsey's Venetian and Bess's Elizabethan gowns, both of which won awards, so that was great!! Our presentation went SO well, I was really thrilled - not only did the audience start applauding when Lana/Empress Eugenie came out, but apparently we had some people giving us a standing ovation when it was over. Wow! Totally thrilling! I had so gone into this thinking about wanting to do something amazing and share it with people and NOT about winning awards, so it was the icing on the cake to not only win, but win something so major. After the masquerade a bunch of us hit the bar. And then it was off at a decent hour Monday morning!

So my review? It's hard to say! Costume Con's focus is competition and socializing, vs. Costume College which is educational (in fact, I believe College was founded in order to do something that Con was lacking?). Given that focus, I think it was relatively successful. The main gripe I'd have is that while the hotel was large and fabulous (two mirrors/sinks in the bathroom! yes! lots of restaurant/bar options!), it was so spread out that except for the Social and masquerades, you couldn't actually TELL there were about 800 people there - I would have thought there were more like 100. The Social did well to bring people together; the masquerades in a way did, but at the same time you're sitting watching a show, not interacting. I'd almost like to see another social added Monday evening, but I'm sure everyone's too dead by then and has gone home (I know I had).

The programming definitely was lacking. There wasn't much of it, and it was scheduled so that many like things (ie historical panels, which was my interest) were scheduled against each other. I know they had some major problems with organizing programming, including technical failures and problems working around people's schedules (for example, I'd organized an 18th century panel with Loren and Katherine/Koshka, which they didn't use because of scheduling problems). However, I'd suggest going ahead and scheduling programming for Friday morning (during the ICG meetings) and Sunday during the fashion show (not everyone wants to go - I know I didn't!). Con moves around geographically and is organized by different people, so this doesn't apply to future groups, but I wish that CC26 had taken better advantage of local costuming people and organizations to help with programming (GBACG, for one, who volunteered to help many times but was told it wasn't needed).

However, I did have a great time with the socializing that I did accomplish, and I got to meet and hang out with many new people and old friends. There were some amazing costumes being worn - Loren's 18th century wardrobe (especially the pink pirate!), Lindsey's 16th century doublet, Trystan's 18th c. music gown, Sarah's red Elizabethan, Jennifer in some gorgeous goth/corset ensembles, Lisa in some beautiful medieval gowns, Katherine W.'s gorgeous Tudor, Jen L.'s beautiful blue 1860s balldress... and many people whose names I don't know and specifics I can't remember.

Sadly, I did NOT have the photo gene at ALL for this event - I did take some on Friday but starting Saturday totally slacked. Luckily, there are a ton of photos on Flickr if you search for "Costume Con" or "cc26" -- and soon enough the official galleries will be up, which I'll post the link to. (I'll put my few photos up on Flickr, too, just to be thorough!)

Now, it's time to recover and go back to having a real life!

noreply@blogger.com (Kendra) — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 05:26:00 +0000

EVENTS

Costume Con report part 1

A much longer report will come soon, but first things first - the top secret masquerade project! A CRAZY group of us reproduced the Portrait of Empress Eugenie surrounded by her Maids of Honor in the historical masquerade - and WE WON BEST IN SHOW!!!!! OH MY GOD!!!! It was an utterly amazing experience - and actually, I was most excited about the audience reaction to it, which was overwhelming.

Here we are - and here's a video of our presentation. Rest assured that I plan to do a DETAILED write up of the project (including all the gowns!) but it might take me a few days to get that up.

And a much, much longer CC26 report shall be forthcoming!

noreply@blogger.com (Kendra) — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 07:58:00 +0000

COMMENTARY

Costume Con - I'm off!

Whew, I think I just packed the entire house! Lots of sewing the last 2 weeks, but I finished most everything on Sunday morning. Of course, since then I've been working on masquerade documentation, making packing lists, etc. You'd think I was off for an Arctic trek!

The current plan is to wear Bet on Friday (I never would have thought I would, but Cynthia is wearing Nancy, and Nancy needs her Bet! Besides, it's comfy, which I want for day costumes), the evening version of the candy cane bustle dress Friday night, the 1923 black & white dress on Saturday (again, comfy, plus the hat is fabulous), Florentine on Saturday night (dressy but also comfy, since I'll be sitting for hours at the scifi masquerade), jeans on Sunday (you know I'll be sick of corsets by then!), the secret masquerade dress on Sunday night (details as soon as I get back!). And the mourning dress will be in the exhibit - I promise a full report when I get back!

Anyone who is coming, a few things to plug - first, on Friday we'll be recording a special Con edition of the Frock Flicks podcast, with audience interaction! (12:30-2pm in the Gateway Foyer). Also on Friday, I'll be hanging out at the exhibit 3-4 for the "meet the costumer" hour (there are set times to chat w/ the people who made costumes in the exhibit). On Saturday, I'll be demoing bodice draping (2-3:15 in San Jose).

Hope to see many of you there!

noreply@blogger.com (Kendra) — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 21:48:00 +0000

LINKS

Your Wardrobe Unlock'd - New Online Costuming Magazine

So I'm sorry to have gone totally AWOL around here! There's been a death in my husband's family, and during the last few weeks I have had to totally focus on that. It's been exhausting and sad, but things are getting back to normal... only now I have only TWO WEEKENDS before Costume Con. I HAVE A LOT TO DO. I will stop yelling now. Maybe.

But I did want to give a shout out to a new project that I've been excited to participate in - Your Wardrobe Unlock'd, a new online magazine for costumers. It's a subscription site that's aimed at all of us costumers who want to improve our skills. I've been very impressed with it so far, enough so that I've contributed both by answering questions in the "Ask the Experts" column a few months ago, and now writing a series of articles on historical research. Right now, the first of these articles is posted, but there will be probably about three more, and I have to admit that I'm pretty pleased with how they are turning out. One of the things I don't talk so much about on this site is all of the research I do, both for academic purposes but even more so for costuming purposes. I feel like I'm really distilling what I've learned over many years and degrees, so while I don't mean to toot my own horn, I do think it's a strong contribution and will be of interest to (hopefully?) many. Anyway, check out the site and see whatcha think.

Now I will go back to panicking about Costume Con sewing!

noreply@blogger.com (Kendra) — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 20:31:00 +0000

PROJECTS

1760s mourning robe à la française

Thanks to Sarah, the hem has been marked and sewn... read more about my 1760s mourning robe à la française project

noreply@blogger.com (Kendra) — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 20:34:00 +0000

COMMENTARY

Somebody stop me!

So I've found out (thanks to Trystan) that I don't have to put my 18th century corset on my dress form at the Costume Con exhibit, which means I can wear 18th century - yay! Of course, I'm suddenly fantasizing about quickly finishing my jacket just so I have something new to wear - and am contemplating maybe pushing it back to a 1740s-50s jacket, with a laced-over-stomacher and cuffs. Wouldn't that be cute? And I finally found an inspirational image for my new Venetian dress, which under no account can I start until after Costume Con, but I am busy fantasizing about it nonetheless! Okay. Deep breaths. IF I get the masquerade and exhibit dresses done, I can finish the jacket and fulfill my need to wear something new. I shall NOT think Venetian! No way!

noreply@blogger.com (Kendra) — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 21:17:00 +0000

COMMENTARY

Costume Con 26 planning

So I've realized that while I am sewing madly, on two projects, for Costume Con 26, I'm not actually going to get to WEAR any of it (except for the secret masquerade project, but that'll just be Sunday night). So I am grumpy about having nothing new and fabulous to wear, and have been joking with Sarah about things like "wear your most boring costume!" gatherings (which for me would be the Bet costume -- if you see a gin-soaked pickpocket roaming around CC26, you'll know why!).

I might wear my Florentine, if I can tweak the bodice fit in time, but even that feels like a "this old thing" to me as I've worn it a few times in the past year. Otherwise, I don't know! Rewear something recent and fabulous like my purple striped 1871 dress? Something new-ish, relatively unworn, but boring like my Meg dress? Something I haven't worn in forever like the 1909 afternoon dress? The MOST annoying thing is I won't be able to wear anything 18th century, my current passion, because my stays will be on my dress form in the exhibit. Grump.

In other news, the CC26 people have added a Suggest a Program Item form (direct link doesn't seem to be working, so go their homepage and click on Program & Exhibits > Suggest a Program Item) to their website, and I want to highly encourage attendees to both suggest programming (panels, lectures, workshops) they'd like to see, and especially to volunteer themselves to be on programming. The only way we're going to get programming we like is if we all pitch in and do it ourselves! Costume Con seems very DIY to me, so get over your shyness and think about what you could share with others. I know I'd love to hear from so many of my online friends (I'm especially hoping someone could put something together on 16th century construction, as that's something I know little about and would love to know more - hint hint!). So suggest and volunteer!

noreply@blogger.com (Kendra) — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 23:58:00 +0000

COMMENTARY

New Frock Flicks costume movie podcast available

We just can't seem to avoid the 16th century! This time it's The Other Boleyn Girl - lots of spoilers, so you might want to wait to listen until after you've seen it (if you mind spoilers).

Listen/subscribe.

Give us your feedback on our Livejournal!

noreply@blogger.com (Kendra) — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 23:07:00 +0000

COSTUME IN CINEMA

new costume movie reviews

I just added reviews for the following: Beau Brummell: This Charming Man, Miss Austen Regrets, Stardust, Sweeney Todd,and Atonement. And, as always, the Upcoming Movies page is up to date - hey Trystan! New Tess of the D'Urbervilles coming soon! I should have reviews soon of the new BBC Oliver Twist and Lilies (halfway through both); plus I've gotten to see a few episodes of Cranford and it's fabulous! Went to see The Other Boleyn Girl this weekend and will have a review shortly, but I want to wait until our next Frock Flicks podcast comes out, so I don't spoil any surprises!

noreply@blogger.com (Kendra) — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 20:26:00 +0000

SITE UPDATES

18th century printed cottons / GBACG Costume Academy

Sunday was GBACG's Costume Academy, our annual one day of classes. I taught two -- Overview of Women's Costume in the 1830s, and 18th century printed textiles. I had a fun time teaching, especially because I had some really knowledgeable people in my classes who were able to add to what I presented - I love when that happens (of course, when it happens WELL -- as opposed to annoying people who try to take over). Anyway - fun!

In updating my info on 18th century printed cottons, and because I know the GBACG website is changing and I think the articles may be disappearing at some point, I copied my research to this site so I can be sure it will have a permanent home. I made just a few updates, mostly in terms of where to buy reproductions, and added some images (rather than just links).

noreply@blogger.com (Kendra) — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 23:32:00 +0000

PROJECTS

1760s mourning robe à la française project

And now I can report that having the flu... read more about my 1760s mourning robe à la française project

noreply@blogger.com (Kendra) — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 20:59:00 +0000

PROJECTS

1760s robe à la française project

Whew! When you handsew things... read more about my 1760s robe à la française project

noreply@blogger.com (Kendra) — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 22:47:00 +0000

COMMENTARY

oscar fashion roundup: zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Wow, were you as under-inspired by last night's Oscar fashions as I was? The only people I could get excited about were Cate Blanchett (I love that she never plays it safe; of course, she could look great in a paper bag), Helen Mirren (love the heavy satin, color, sweep of the skirt, diamond "shrug" accent, elbow-length sleeves), and Marion Cotillard (when I first saw it, I didn't like it, but it quickly grew on me after the snooze fest of all the rest of the gowns). I might have been able to get excited about Hilary Swank if she had opted for a color other than black (zzzzzzz).

Everything else was boring, boring, boring! Nothing to dislike, even! Total snooze-fest.

I'm happy, although not hugely excited, about Alexandra Byrne's win for The Golden Age (could have been equally excited about Sweeney Todd or Atonement - just not super excited about any of the options this year). Hopefully next year will be far more exciting!

noreply@blogger.com (Kendra) — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 23:00:00 +0000

PROJECTS

1760s mourning robe à la française

It's starting to look like a dress... read more about my 1760s mourning robe à la française project

noreply@blogger.com (Kendra) — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 01:23:00 +0000

PROJECTS

1760s mourning robe à la française

Trimming - what to do! read more about my 1760s mourning robe à la française project

noreply@blogger.com (Kendra) — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 20:32:00 +0000

PROJECTS

1760s mourning robe à la française

I am switching off working on this with my secret Costume Con masquerade project... read more about my 1760s mourning robe à la française project

noreply@blogger.com (Kendra) — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 23:56:00 +0000

EVENTS

Lumieres Salacious Salon

Last Saturday night, Lumieres held our second annual Salacious Salon, where we dress up in our 18th century undies, eat lots and lots of dessert, drink champagne, and read/examine naughty 18th century items. Ahem. Lots of fun, although the rain made me grumpy for going out - come on, weather! Cooperate - I've got big hair here! We had soooooo many desserts it was outstanding (you'll see Trystan having a chocolate mousse moment in the kitchen), lots of shocking attire (Bridget in a sheet - hey, a sheet is period, right?), and lots and lots of fun was had.

Trystan's was a great place to have it, as her house is already very period-esque in its decor. The photos I took are relatively dim, so nothing too exciting, but you can get an idea of the atmosphere (I always think flash ruins atmosphere when you're in candlelight!).

In other news, I AM sewing - it's just that it's mostly been for my secret Costume Con masquerade dress (which is coming along swimmingly). Did some work on my robe a la francaise yesterday, so updates soon!

noreply@blogger.com (Kendra) — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 18:43:00 +0000

COMMENTARY

Masterpiece Theatre and Jane Austen

The Masterpiece Theatre website has their 2008 schedule up, which includes the three new ITV (UK) Jane Austen adaptations. The schedule includes: Persuasion (new version - just aired), Northanger Abbey (new version), Mansfield Park (new version), Miss Austen Regrets (new production, about Austen late in life), Pride & Prejudice (1995 Colin Firth/Jennifer Ehle version), Emma (1997 Kate Beckinsale version), Sense & Sensibility (new version), A Room with a View (new tv version), My Boy Jack (new production, Daniel Radcliffe as the son of Rudyard Kipling), and Cranford (new adaptation of an Elizabeth Gaskell novel). Whew!

What did you think of the new Persuasion? You can read my review on the Regency costume movie reviews page, as well as my reviews of the new Northanger Abbey (quite liked it) and Mansfield Park (rather hated it).

I'm really looking forward to seeing the new Sense & Sensibility and Miss Austen Regrets - no idea if I'll like them or not, but interested to check them out! I'm doubtful of the new Room with a View - how can you improve on the Helena Bonham Carter film version? And everyone in the UK seems to be raving about Cranford, so I'm excited about that!

There are previews available for many of these on the Masterpiece Theatre website.

noreply@blogger.com (Kendra) — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 20:10:00 +0000

PROJECTS

1760s mourning robe à la française

More work on the back of the robe... read more about my 1760s mourning robe à la française

noreply@blogger.com (Kendra) — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 21:52:00 +0000

COMMENTARY

costume in historical fiction

So I love historical fiction. I prefer the well researched, but give me decently written shlock (such as The Other Boleyn Girl) and I'll read and enjoy it for what it is despite the historical inaccuracies. But something has been getting on my nerves lately, and it's time to rant!

The latest trend in historical fiction book covers, at least for those books about women, seems to be "photograph of woman in 'period' costume, with face cropped or obscured." Gone are the days of using a portrait of the subject on the cover, or even a somewhat-of-the-era painting. Now, I was okay with this trend as I read The Other Boleyn Girl - nice silhouette, even if that stomacher is large and I'm not too sure what's going on with her hood. Liked The Queen's Fool - pretty shade of green, kind of Florentine-esque sleeves, there's boning in that bodice yay!

But I started to get irritated when I read The Boleyn Inheritance -- I'm guessing that's supposed to be Jane Boleyn or Catherine Howard (it had better not be Anne of Cleves!). Why is her hair down? Why does her bodice fit her so loosely? What's with the bustline of her lady in waiting?

But I'm drawing the line at Carolly Erickson's The Last Wife of Henry Viii:

Could they have bought a cheaper fabric (what, Joann's upholstery remnants too expensive?)? What's with the crappy rickrack trim? The lack of undersleeve? THE BODICE SILHOUETTE (Were they going for the "most wrinkles on a badly fitted, no underpinnings bodice" award?)? THE CRAPPY PLASTIC PEARLS SEWN TO THE NECKLINE? Pant. Pant. I am filled with hate.

noreply@blogger.com (Kendra) — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 23:36:00 +0000

PROJECTS

1760s mourning robe à la française

A few months ago I was asked to create... read more about my 1760s mourning robe à la française project