MATTE PINK LIPS

ph: Vogue UK

As I am sure you guys have noticed, I have a thing for bright lips. Love this matte pink lipstick on Elisa Sednaoui. It looks amazing with a clean face + barely-there mascara.

Get the look...
+ Bite Beauty High Pigment Matte Pencil in Corvina
+ NARS Pure Matte Lipstick in Carthage

LACMA Sacque-Ma: Operation Petti-Pouf

Thank you to everyone who left incredibly helpful comments on yesterday's petticoat post.  Last night I went for it with implementing each of the changes suggested, to see what effect they had.

Pretty much all of them were/are necessary, and I'm *still* not through it with this petticoat yet, but it's getting there.  Here's where I am today:

What I've learned about mid-18th c. petticoats thus far:

• The top curves control fullness over the sides, but if there is too much, it will cause sagging in the skirt, and the hem will fall under (this is part of what was happening with mine)
• Stiffness at the hem is a good idea - taffeta, horsehair, etc.
• The panier shape for the late 1760s and 1770s is high at the hip, but with a narrow body.  Control tapes to create the kidney shape are *very* important.  A ruffle at the hem of the panier helps, too. Not all panier shapes will just "work" !!
• Pleating the front of the petticoat on the dress form helps.
• A 120" hem may be period correct, but perhaps just not full enough - I've had this experience with round silhouette petticoats too...
• A little shortness at the sides of the petticoat help draw it up into the A-line shape.
• A flat front is important for decorations - some decorations will add stiffness, others won't.

I still have work to do with my silhouette.  In the photo, I have my desiccated panier, but when I shrunk it so significantly, it lowered the hip hoops, so I actually have my small pocket hoops stacked on top, just to see what an effect it would have (and it looks good, so this tells me I need to mess with the understructures more, or just make some damned pocket hoops already).  Basically, this project is like this:


My hem also needs to be lowered, but lucky me, it's faced about 3 inches, so there's wiggle room.  It just means more work.  Yay.

All this for something that is going to be 75% covered!

Lala Summer Collection 2013 Vol. 3 For Women | Lala Classic Crinkle Dresses 2013 Vol 3

Lala Textile now introduced an digital printed new fabulous collection titled 'Crinkle Collection Volume 3'. Lala Textile one of the leading and well known clothing brand which is launched so many collections for every season even summer or winter. This brand is working in fashion field from 1947 and working on these fabric products such as La Femme, Sana and Samia, Kesa and Lala Classic. This

CLASSIC + EASY COMBO | PART 3

ph: Garance Doré + Fashionlogie

Yet another chic classic + easy combo- this time inspired by Style.com/Vogue Paris fashion editors Marina Larroudé + Géraldine Saglio. Throw on a basic tee, half-tuck it into a slim black skirt, fill a wrist with some sleek bangles, add a sexy ankle strap black heel + you're set!

Get Marina's look...
+ Vince Solid Long Sleeve Tee
+ Campbell New Claw Cuff
+ Elie Tahari Courtney Jersey Asymmetric Skirt
+ Nasty Gal Shoe Cult Collection Privilege Leather Heel

Get Géraldine's look...
+ A.L.C. White Harper Twistback Top
+ Iosselliani 5 Brass Bangle Set
+ T by Alexander Wang Micromodal Twist Skirt
+ Aquazarra Ankle Strap Round-Toe Heels

For more inspiration, check out part 1 here + part 2 here.

LACMA Sacque-ma: The Petticoat, and Why Bigger Isn't Always Better

I spent this past weekend toiling on a "simple" petticoat for my first Robe a la Francaise ensemble, inspired by this gorgeous sacque in LACMA:

I thought it would be a quick throw-together.  I've made lots of petticoats before, and based on the patterns in Janet Arnold's Patterns of Fashion 1 and Costume Close-Up, I anticipated a nice, easy, weekend 18th century fix.

Patterns of Fashion 1 - petticoat diagram, for a Robe a la Francaise, 1770-75, a bit later than my inspiration dress

Nope.

I wrestled with it, added bits, took away bits, pleated this way, pleated that way.  In hindsight, I know that the problem was that my panier was just too big.  WAY too big.

To make a stupidly long story short, I shrunk my panier down to something far more 1760s, and stuck to the diagrams in the books.

From Costume Close-Up : petticoat diagram showing the top curves and the straight hem

...but then I decided I hated the color of this fabric.  On the site I purchased it from, it looked far closer to the yummy steely blue the LACMA gown features.  That blue is the reason I fell in love with the dress in the first place...but what I got in the mail wasn't that blue....it was crazy mermaid turquoise 1980s neon explosion.

TURQUOISE ZOMG

So I decided to dye it - one part being in flats, one part being the nearly complete petticoat.  I gritted my teeth and went for it, using my water-efficient front-loading washer to do the deed (not the best, but the only option).

I used one package of royal blue RIT and one package of grey RIT - powders - dissolved prior in a bit of hot water.  About a cup of vinegar went in there too.  The fabric was wet before I tossed it in, and I put the cycle on the longest and hottest I could, with two rinse cycles.

Here are the results:

Before and After: that is a BIG difference, and I love it!

I LOVE the color now! Love Love Love!  And I've also learned that silk + washing machine = OK.

I still have a lot of work to do on the petticoat.  I don't like the bubble shape, and I'm not sure how to correct it - petticoats, ruffles, or is the panier still too big? Anyone have suggestions?

Help me, hive mind! What can I do about this shape? I want it to flair more at the hem.

Gul Ahmed Summer Lawn Collection 2013 Vol 3 | New Summer Lawn Designs 2013 Vol 3 By Gul Ahmed

Gul Ahmed has introduced finally third collection of summer season with the titled of 'Gul Ahmed Summer Lawn 2013 Volume 3'. When Any one say you that you are looking beautiful in stunning dresses then your mood convert in happiness and proud. Gul Ahmed summer collection vol 3 given you exclusive lawn prints. These prints are completely different then previous collection vol 1 and vol 2. This

GRUNGE CHIC

Why hello there total grunge chic, plaid UNIF dame skirt. You'd be a perfect addition to my spring/summer wardrobe! No, but seriously, I am so happy to finally find a killer plaid skirt. With all the plaid madness happening now, I've only been able to find good plaid shirt options, but no decent plaid pants or skirts. Def one of my top picks from Shopcuffs at the moment.

Ego Spring Summer Collection 2013 | Summer Casual Wear Dresses and Handbags By Ego

Ego has launched its spring summer 2013 collection. It includes casual wear long shirts in many different styles with churridar pajama and tights for ladies. Some of the dresses in this collection having embroidered neckline and embroidery on back of the shirts and sleeves. This summer Ego provides a wide range of vibrant color clothes. You can seen also new handbags in this collection which is

Islamic Abaya Dresses Designs 2013-2014 | Dubai Abaya Fashion Designs

Abaya dresses and Hijabs are very renowned and compulsory apparels of Middle East and South Asia. The dress mostly used in Muslim economies in all over the world. Abaya dresses have different patterns. Different patterns have evolved in different countries. In Middle East, Gulf countries and specially Dubai, Iran and Saudi Arabia, there are several patterns are exists. Today we have brought an elite collection of Islamic Abaya dresses and hijabs for our valued visitors. The collection has been collected from a world famous online fashion store “MarkaVIP.com”. which was established as an exclusive shopping community with a unique, invitation-only membership and focused on the most sought-after collections from the premiere brands and boutiques in the world. The store has all men and women fashion and apparel products of world class luxury quality. Let’s have a closer view to New Islamic Abaya dresses designs 2013-2014 collection.

Islamic Abaya Dresses Collection

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Abaya which is a culture of Islam religion are now adopting in all over the world in different categories like Jilbab, Burqa, Chador, Kaftans and Abaya moreover some girls preferred Abayas with Scarves or Hijabs. Middle East has a lot of brands which are presenting a quality, and huge varieties of Abayas in which Dubai, UAE is leading country. That’s why Muslim girls preferred Abaya designs from Dubai. So here we are going to share with some Abaya Designs from Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, and Dubai Abaya Dresses.

Dubai Abaya Designs

Iraq Abaya Designs

Irani Abaya Designs

Embroidered Abaya

Simple Abaya Designs

Fancy Abaya Designs

Simple Embroidered Abayas

Islamic Abaya Dresses Designs 2013-2014 | Dubai Abaya Fashion Designs

Abaya dresses and Hijabs are very renowned and compulsory apparels of Middle East and South Asia. The dress mostly used in Muslim economies in all over the world. Abaya dresses have different patterns. Different patterns have evolved in different countries. In Middle East, Gulf countries and specially Dubai, Iran and Saudi Arabia, there are several patterns are exists. Today we have brought an

I HEART...

1. 3.1 Phillip Lim I Love / Heart Nueva York Tank (also here + here)
2. 3.1 Phillip Lim Lou Lou Sunglasses in Matte Tortoise
3. Luv Aj Crystal Cross Necklace
4. Lizzie Fortunato Floral Embroidered Clutch
5. Rag & Bone/JEAN The Mila Shorts
6. Whistles Stud Bangle
7. Kenneth Jay Lane Link Watch
8. NARS Nail Polish in Dovima
9. Jenni Kayne Lattice d'Orsay Flats

DKNY Summer Collection 2013 For Men and Women | Casual Wear Dresses 2013 For Summer By DKNY

Here Fashion Hunt World team has brought an exclusive summer wear outfits from DKNY. DKNY 'Donna Karan New York' is the well known international clothing brand which is based from New York. DKNY summer collection 2013 has consists of men and women wear dresses included Modern Jersey, Stretch Crepe De Chine, Scoop neck Blouse, Strip Dress, Breton Strip Sleeveless Shirt With Lining Skirt, Color

My 18th Century "Weddingote"

So....I'm gettin' married.

(Woohoo!!)

I've been a bit buried in all things wedding, with an additional layer of all things shoes on top, and I realize I totally haven't posted about this!  Eek!

So here's my wedding gown inspiration:

Via Costumer's Guide

My most favorite gown from "Marie Antoinette" is this pale sage green redingote that appears in the "Petit Trainon" part of the film.  I love everything about it, and it's been reserved for this special occasion since I saw the movie so many years ago.


I found the perfect pale green silk taffeta from Puresilks.us for the redingote:

I already have the ivory silk taff from Fabric Mart, nabbed on sale for $10/yard (couldn't believe it!)

So I guess I'd better get to work.  I have a petticoat and new stays to make out of the ivory first, then a full toile for the gown, before slicing into the final fabric.  October will be here before I know it!

2013 Latest Bridal Make Up With Jewelry

Bridal Makeup In New Style For MehndiBridal Makeup In New Style For MehndiBridal Makeup In New Style For BaratBridal Makeup In New Style for BaratBridal Makeup In New Style For BaratBridal Makeup In New Style For ValimaBridal Makeup In New Style For BaratBridal Makeup In New Style For BaratBridal Makeup In New Style For BaratBridal Makeup In New Style For BaratBridal Makeup In New Style For

Embroidered & Printed Tops | Fashion Tops for Girls 2013

Media and technological progression has heightened the apparel and fashion industry around the globe. People can now easily learn and access the top level fashion of developed economies like U.S. and Europe. Today fashionform team has brought international attires for the audience of South Asia. In summer season the trend of casual suiting has increased a bit. People especially girls liked to wear casually made light weight dresses. Casual dresses give comfort in hot summer season. Internationally, a world famous casual dress of girls is jeans with tops. There are plenty of types of tops which are using with jeans across the world. According to the culture and traditions of South Asia we have collect some beautiful Fashion tops for the girls of India and Pakistan. These tops can be wearing with jeans, leggy and casual trousers. The tops have been collected from world’s top fashion websites. This collection will gives you a comfort of clothing with style and elegance.

The collection consists of beautiful printed and embroidered tops. The tops have been designed beautifully in light and cool colors. Cool and light colors are being liked in summer season. The collection of tops consists of casual round neck, crew neck, polo T shirts and designer tops. There are some embroidered tops which can be used in summer evening parties, functions and on birthday parties as well. The Fashion tops will look perfect with skinny blue jeans and skirts. Hope you will like this collection.