Photo Shoot: Downton Abbey Glamour at the Cobb Mansion, Virginia City, Nevada

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_DSR1JOKhCY8Rf5q45UlBJkqB-LpxdVIx8PZpwAHwPnFBSzuQKzAX6E5jzR3gHBAjVMCe_qy-17OvkdFflbYzwUlwcKHf4ghl5EUaUi8k9X6KpgR6KOtg0Qukwi3wPzl095p4pwqL5pKl/s1600/Cobb-Mansion-comp-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Downton Abbey dresses" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_DSR1JOKhCY8Rf5q45UlBJkqB-LpxdVIx8PZpwAHwPnFBSzuQKzAX6E5jzR3gHBAjVMCe_qy-17OvkdFflbYzwUlwcKHf4ghl5EUaUi8k9X6KpgR6KOtg0Qukwi3wPzl095p4pwqL5pKl/s1600/Cobb-Mansion-comp-1.jpg" title="" /></a></div><br />I've been sitting on these photos for quite some time, leaking them out little by little, but I think it's high time now for a little photo story...<br /><br />With Downton Abbey fresh in our minds, we set out to capture the glimmer of the fashionable past, with 19teens evening gowns in an opulent setting, the gorgeous<a href="http://www.cobbmansion.com/"> Cobb Mansion</a> in our local historic town of Virginia City.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9rjgmcyTkmmoNcGF7NwamPXlsL5Jtj6Wo_WOqN0N_2vD_8riha_QXmnSTaskkFy4ZBf-qO2XdTj-4f0LZymW3chGsArFXg8z4tUV8R-qITMQCTMDSdIVa3q4uQZTP9hF7VvU-Pu_ekPCc/s1600/Cobb-Mansion-comp-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Titanic Dress" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9rjgmcyTkmmoNcGF7NwamPXlsL5Jtj6Wo_WOqN0N_2vD_8riha_QXmnSTaskkFy4ZBf-qO2XdTj-4f0LZymW3chGsArFXg8z4tUV8R-qITMQCTMDSdIVa3q4uQZTP9hF7VvU-Pu_ekPCc/s1600/Cobb-Mansion-comp-2.jpg" title="" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The black and white photo is my favorite photo I've ever taken. I think Tori looks like a super-elegant 1950s Dior model!</td></tr></tbody></table>Our beautiful models were Liza and Tori. You'll recognize Liza from our <a href="http://americanduchess.blogspot.com/2013/06/edwardian-elegance-gibson-summer.html">Summer "Gibson" photo shoot</a>, but this was Tori's first experience in front of the camera. She did great!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgErRnC7wfT_LabMnyHFa3xCCAzt5ABup5OVMwtHvKbkCJth_V0WCmzHO0erz0F86SCxVyEWND80nw_s8Q9V10d7zWr-vp5P8Qa3F332i2ZCAsiQBr1Jzsv_aQdPGzO-snJH1nQ2CNhotj/s1600/Cobb-Mansion-comp-3.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img alt="Downton Abbey Photo Shoot" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgErRnC7wfT_LabMnyHFa3xCCAzt5ABup5OVMwtHvKbkCJth_V0WCmzHO0erz0F86SCxVyEWND80nw_s8Q9V10d7zWr-vp5P8Qa3F332i2ZCAsiQBr1Jzsv_aQdPGzO-snJH1nQ2CNhotj/s1600/Cobb-Mansion-comp-3.jpg" title="" /></a></div><br />The gowns were creations of both Liza and myself, paired with <a href="http://www.american-duchess.com/edwardian-victorian-shoes-boots">Astoria Edwardian Shoes in black, and Gibson Edwardian Shoes in ivory</a>. Photos are a mix of both mine and Chris'. We had a good time putting this one together, and were lucky to be well-received at the <a href="http://www.cobbmansion.com/">Cobb Mansion</a>, which we'll certainly be returning to. :-)<br /><br />I hope you enjoy!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSZCWPM9bjPZ97UVV55LiC4RJqXIWMH_KH6EPVLY_g2mJLaskYoTfVUt_SRMyFQ6fhfCtijPv2pR2Me5GwfDHxIkV3zvAra4GLG9wx7AC6Tjk17lH4B3vZdO3cYi1P-ceQWg9CuTxvPw2y/s1600/Cobb-Mansion-comp-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Edwardian Titanic Dress" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSZCWPM9bjPZ97UVV55LiC4RJqXIWMH_KH6EPVLY_g2mJLaskYoTfVUt_SRMyFQ6fhfCtijPv2pR2Me5GwfDHxIkV3zvAra4GLG9wx7AC6Tjk17lH4B3vZdO3cYi1P-ceQWg9CuTxvPw2y/s1600/Cobb-Mansion-comp-4.jpg" title="" /></a></div><br />

Photo Shoot: Downton Abbey Glamour at the Cobb Mansion, Virginia City, Nevada

I've been sitting on these photos for quite some time, leaking them out little by little, but I think it's high time now for a littl...

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Glorious 18th Century Mules, and some 19th Century Wanna-Be's

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://www.american-duchess.com/shoes-18th-century"><img alt="Marie Antoinette 18th Century Mules" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkLjqV_ZHQc9ys-vW7jrWlyFPHIF_a268SARVda_k6Ya7JDhFgDqfnQU_YDqRXNwMYkfTz_o-Y5t_Sg9r7ZftZVBRxLer8EnkSk_JXV49z8ZWhf9B2sTc6Pjv3UkCcoOSLWCy4e8hmHFRF/s400/18th-century-mule-blue-12.jpg" title="" width="400" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.american-duchess.com/shoes-18th-century">Antoinette mules in French blue</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Today is the day to celebrate mules, those pretty little backless, heeled slippers that have been gracing the feet of ladies for hundreds of years.  In honor of our new pre-order release, <a href="http://www.american-duchess.com/shoes-18th-century">"Antoinette" 18th Century Mules</a>, here are my references that helped in the design process:<br /><br /><b><u>Real 18th Century Mules</u></b><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://www.mfa.org/collections/object/pair-of-children-s-mules-46718"><img border="0" height="446" src="http://zoom.mfa.org/fif=sc1/sc14095.fpx&obj=iip,1.0&wid=568&cell=568,427&cvt=jpeg" width="640" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.mfa.org/collections/object/pair-of-children-s-mules-46718">MFA, French 18th century - a pair of children's mules.</a></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://www.nationaltrustcollections.org.uk/object/1348802.2"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://gateway.ntpl.org.uk/hppa-zooms/00000000519/cms_snw0102.bro" width="640" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.nationaltrustcollections.org.uk/object/1348802.2">The National Trust, 1750 - this pair directly influenced the design of "Antoinette"</a></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://www.metmuseum.org/Collections/search-the-collections/101796?rpp=20&pg=1&ft=mules&pos=19"><img border="0" height="364" src="http://images.metmuseum.org/CRDImages/ci/web-large/29.158.887ab_F.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.metmuseum.org/Collections/search-the-collections/101796?rpp=20&pg=1&ft=mules&pos=19">The Met, 1710-29 - quite a fun toe shape on these early 18th century mules.</a></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://www.metmuseum.org/Collections/search-the-collections/112646?rpp=20&pg=1&ft=mules&pos=7"><img border="0" height="328" src="http://images.metmuseum.org/CRDImages/ci/web-large/1978.356ab_F.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.metmuseum.org/Collections/search-the-collections/112646?rpp=20&pg=1&ft=mules&pos=7">The Met, 1750</a></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://eng.shoe-icons.com/collection/object.htm?id=1293"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwLM0NMG88286wQw-0D_OvNlbudPNa3_QUvq2n6aZ8wm9mNV3_oQ-H4mPWXJXRTMm-bTcq7RW4qeY63Sfp8i8mTTh0rAJ_9G92w5Yh0cwyZrLnbUwrIkze5-pUN-gUQBDt6Kvz-qSWJTHz/s640/274015958548973730_O3ct2r6K_f.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://eng.shoe-icons.com/collection/object.htm?id=1293">Shoe Icons, 1690-1720 - a gorgeous pair of silver embroidered mules with an early date.</a></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://www.manchestergalleries.org/the-collections/search-the-collection/display.php?EMUSESSID=9dd86db1e1f1e52fda8897969b389be3&irn=18167"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://www.manchestergalleries.org/the-collections/search-the-collection/mcgweb/objects/common/webmedia.php?irn=32569" width="640" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.manchestergalleries.org/the-collections/search-the-collection/display.php?EMUSESSID=9dd86db1e1f1e52fda8897969b389be3&irn=18167">Manchester, 1725-50. These have 4 inch heels!</a></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://www.mfa.org/collections/object/pair-of-women-s-mules-120783"><img border="0" height="418" src="http://zoom.mfa.org/fif=sc2/sc22122.fpx&obj=iip,1.0&wid=568&cell=568,427&cvt=jpeg" width="640" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.mfa.org/collections/object/pair-of-women-s-mules-120783">MFA, 1750s - another emroidered satin mule with a pointed vamp. Gorgeous and delicate!</a></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O74842/pair-of-shoes-unknown/"><img border="0" height="486" src="http://media.vam.ac.uk/media/thira/collection_images/2006AW/2006AW2042_jpg_l.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O74842/pair-of-shoes-unknown/">VanA, 1750-60s - another direct influence on the new mules, these lovely little things are embroidered satin with leather-covered heels.</a></td></tr></tbody></table><b><u>Fake 18th Century Mules (19th Century Wanna-Be's!)</u></b><br /><b><u><br /></u></b>Between 1869 and 1874, and also around the turn of the 20th century, there was a colonial revival that produced quite a few sweet "retro" shoes, with names like Moliere, Cromwell, Puritan, Mayflower, and Marie Antoinette.  These shoes, mules included, took their styling from original 18th century examples, yet still somehow came out looking oh-so-Victorian/Edwardian.  Here are the poseurs:<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://www.metmuseum.org/Collections/search-the-collections/168841?rpp=20&pg=3&ft=mules&pos=47"><img border="0" height="352" src="http://images.metmuseum.org/CRDImages/ci/web-large/51.78.3a-b_CP2.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.metmuseum.org/Collections/search-the-collections/168841?rpp=20&pg=3&ft=mules&pos=47">The Met, 1890 - 1920 - gorgeous embroidered green satin with white kid covering the heels. YUM!</a></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://www.metmuseum.org/Collections/search-the-collections/113146?rpp=20&pg=1&ft=mules&pos=14"><img border="0" height="478" src="http://images.metmuseum.org/CRDImages/ci/web-large/1979.242ab_F.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.metmuseum.org/Collections/search-the-collections/113146?rpp=20&pg=1&ft=mules&pos=14">The Met, 1900-1915 - this powder blue pair was a direct influence on the blue Antoinettes, and served as the inspiration for the embroidery design too.</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://eng.shoe-icons.com/collection/object.htm?id=15"><img border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi9kqz2QzMBkXlr4JAQ9sgd3uaFl0KahUBfGyqBTxof4ZSkMRqKOK6zQfquRrg03e5HmpQVonv6jfmG40KZnrj9UGooEtz94569s93v1GI7wL8Fo9K6LU0mhRH7aLz_qhSk4t-9g8h7HyE/s400/4e2cebea8e50817b41535b736bcf3f48.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://eng.shoe-icons.com/collection/object.htm?id=15">Shoe Icons, 1880</a></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://img1.etsystatic.com/010/0/5611948/il_570xN.440489763_gn0h.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://img1.etsystatic.com/010/0/5611948/il_570xN.440489763_gn0h.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/127108926/antique-18th-c-french-leather-shoes?ref=shop_home_active">Etsy Seller BellaSoiree - the heel shape and application indicates that these are 19th century, but they're good "fakes" if they fool us these days!</a></td></tr></tbody></table>I wonder if a hundred years from now historians might look at the <a href="http://www.american-duchess.com/shoes-18th-century">Antoinette mules</a> the way we're looking at these 19th century mules right now.  It seems unfair to call them "fakes," haha, but I do feel a weird connection with the designers who created these a century ago, and wonder if they felt that same drive to get as close as possible to the original Georgian examples.<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.american-duchess.com/shoes-18th-century"><img alt="Antoinette 18th Century Mules" border="0" height="343" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_2OusbKTCaeTcLNe-1A3w_qLTpu7lNOQQloMu-zIupigqJ_BW3uEruWgZwDtixVmDVVILB8sHqHJqXT0C539fOLWIRBM0hLWyYmftrGP1fRBqQ1QUbDrYljNOEuLT1SIR7bR6Kb3PSa_C/s400/antoinette+18th+century+mules+both.jpg" title="" width="400" /></a></div><div>So as you can see, our little <a href="http://www.american-duchess.com/shoes-18th-century">Antoinettes</a> can be worn from about 1700 all the way through the 1760s and early 70s, but may *also* be worn for late Victorian and Edwardian too.  Talk about versatile!  What's even cooler is that you can over-dye the pink or the blue to get a different shade, using the sweet <a href="http://www.american-duchess.com/historic-shoe-buckles-accessories/international-fabric-shoe-dye">International Fabric Dyes</a> we just got in the shop - so imagine these in scarlet red, a deep royal blue, or a brilliant turquoise.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.american-duchess.com/shoes-18th-century"><br /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.american-duchess.com/shoes-18th-century">You can order them now for a discounted price at</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.american-duchess.com/shoes-18th-century">AmericanDuchess.com .</a></div>

Glorious 18th Century Mules, and some 19th Century Wanna-Be's

Antoinette mules in French blue Today is the day to celebrate mules, those pretty little backless, heeled slippers that have been gracing th...

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Edwardian Beaded Shoes

<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://www.manchestergalleries.org/the-collections/search-the-collection/image.php?EMUSESSID=bc95e3c962c0b029ba273a3895a90a1c&imageirn=3424&r=1553445485"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://www.manchestergalleries.org/the-collections/search-the-collection/mcgweb/objects/common/webmedia.php?irn=3424" width="640" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.manchestergalleries.org/the-collections/search-the-collection/image.php?EMUSESSID=bc95e3c962c0b029ba273a3895a90a1c&imageirn=3424&r=1553445485">Manchester, 1900, Austrian</a></td></tr></tbody></table>The pinnacle of footwear styling in the Edwardian period was The Beaded Shoe.  Nothing is quite so lovely, so sparkly, so special, and so enticing.  Beads could be found on both shoes and boots, and accentuated the already gorgeous cut- and strap-work that was so popular at the time.  Here's a look at what's inspiring my grey matter today:<br /><br /><a name="more"></a><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://eng.shoe-icons.com/collection/object.htm?id=46"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjizWJc8I1Grn3qr5_d7Mlor6KWBYmEG5HJS8Xq_JqqfoXsEGIl_k-7xFDK1SGCA3IZCpRO5JBfQu3muZEiJmPJKclEGGxPEKyvEZEz8ECK_HY_4Pe2A4JhREe5n6jxAs9jeXV5WgvJmEls/s640/6361034789ce9d8ca65865582d704cb5.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://eng.shoe-icons.com/collection/object.htm?id=46">Shoe Icons, 1900-1915</a></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://www.marianiforos.com/accessories19detail.html"><img border="0" height="606" src="http://www.marianiforos.com/ac19c.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.marianiforos.com/accessories19detail.html">Maria Niforos, c. 1900</a></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://www.metmuseum.org/Collections/search-the-collections/113567?rpp=20&pg=15&ft=*&when=A.D.+1900-present&what=Costume%7CFootwear&pos=294"><img border="0" height="384" src="http://images.metmuseum.org/CRDImages/ci/original/CI41.38.7ab_F.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.metmuseum.org/Collections/search-the-collections/113567?rpp=20&pg=15&ft=*&when=A.D.+1900-present&what=Costume%7CFootwear&pos=294">The Met, 1910s</a></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://images.metmuseum.org/CRDImages/ci/web-large/32.1725.32a-b_CP4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="372" src="http://images.metmuseum.org/CRDImages/ci/web-large/32.1725.32a-b_CP4.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Met, c. 1916</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://www.metmuseum.org/Collections/search-the-collections/169168?rpp=20&pg=1&ft=shoes+1910+bead&what=Shoes&pos=18"><img border="0" height="430" src="http://images.metmuseum.org/CRDImages/ci/web-large/57.10.6a-b_CP2.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.metmuseum.org/Collections/search-the-collections/169168?rpp=20&pg=1&ft=shoes+1910+bead&what=Shoes&pos=18">The Met, 1915-20</a></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://www.metmuseum.org/Collections/search-the-collections/169234?rpp=20&pg=2&ft=shoes+1910+bead&what=Shoes&pos=21"><img border="0" height="352" src="http://images.metmuseum.org/CRDImages/ci/web-large/58.27.125a-b_CP2.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.metmuseum.org/Collections/search-the-collections/169234?rpp=20&pg=2&ft=shoes+1910+bead&what=Shoes&pos=21">The Met, 1915 - these are suede</a></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://www.metmuseum.org/Collections/search-the-collections/169169?rpp=20&pg=132&ao=on&ft=*&deptids=62&what=Costume&pos=2626"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://images.metmuseum.org/CRDImages/ci/web-large/57.10.8b_CP2.jpg" width="562" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.metmuseum.org/Collections/search-the-collections/169169?rpp=20&pg=132&ao=on&ft=*&deptids=62&what=Costume&pos=2626">The Met, 1906 - look at that little web of seed beads between the straps!</a></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://www.vintagetextile.com/index.html"><img border="0" height="562" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMKYUhcyJxlq41nd0xRHpCzbqwa7DU8jIZ7enS_ihMQBEYnkmt0iyCvvnOPMjJm1TXGx0b7ZqQSIkwMXayMjgngG3mBwluzWfdXq1ZjdBGMYcQIwaidcCvJPm24lQb1X8z2PUfrHqSIpCW/s640/19e96294df8e24646f27ecda9b9a8f7b.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.vintagetextile.com/index.html">Vintage Textile, but I believe the record is no longer online - via</a></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://www.vintagetextile.com/index.html"><img border="0" height="576" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqsTnbqNM2SxjxtKQMgeKQJ6HLFUT5q_VEU12xMB1xZInVDu-1kEpQfgcc9dtwM0ZxHhzEmdkFhbHcfL0if4pWrfLlR_9uUqXebqH4c8cbVXsDpGdOHFt3aNr2iTmBQMhvFm2sTogKb9lE/s640/712d061cd49fd6ee9f9547830037c8d5.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.vintagetextile.com/index.html">Also from Vintage textile, with a missing record</a></td></tr></tbody></table>In today's world of shoes, with studs and sparkles to be seen all over, you'd think something like this would be possible to manufacture, so we're going to give it a try. :-)

Edwardian Beaded Shoes

Manchester, 1900, Austrian The pinnacle of footwear styling in the Edwardian period was The Beaded Shoe.  Nothing is quite so lovely, so spa...

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2013 Costume College, Pt. 1

I'm back! I'm alive!<br /><br />Costume College was splendid this year.  I had SO much fun, met and chatted with so many cool people, and took so...SO...many photos.  I'm breaking this up into pieces just because there are really THAT many photos.<br /><br />So before I start - what *is* Costume College, anyway?<br /><br />Costume College is an annual gathering of costume enthusiasts, of all skill levels, that takes place in L.A. each August.  Costumers from all over the world attend - this year we had Cathy from England, Merja from Finland, and Christina from Germany, as well as the beautiful hordes of West Coastians, all dressed to the nines in their finest.<br /><br />So now that you know, let's go!  First...the drive.  It's about 8 hours between Reno and L.A., but there are some beautiful sights to see...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeSchzWv6tCum4oAajUnfoF1AyLZkscyu01_9oDEVFjJ0cKLzYRH68nvMaBLdTZVQ_zd8E249OND8DHi6dMLFDnXar2VzMfjpSU7XbxUXnTwlnyy5n_QQTEZHzvwbYYU5T4Ds1N_IqjhV5/s1600/desert+aug2013+%25285+of+7%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeSchzWv6tCum4oAajUnfoF1AyLZkscyu01_9oDEVFjJ0cKLzYRH68nvMaBLdTZVQ_zd8E249OND8DHi6dMLFDnXar2VzMfjpSU7XbxUXnTwlnyy5n_QQTEZHzvwbYYU5T4Ds1N_IqjhV5/s640/desert+aug2013+%25285+of+7%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgGrbtJ88ZozCNXUamK1o63zlQjXnNihFjOxR_84br1oRbBnTsYNxE8dBx4AdHSlI6zhNsUAsbCOlWtZICvXZG4aEttPUp_fXZuAy6i8SCucHRba1a1IYG_QLZxXlhgVIHgGSpZM5zNL5c/s1600/desert+aug2013+%25284+of+7%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgGrbtJ88ZozCNXUamK1o63zlQjXnNihFjOxR_84br1oRbBnTsYNxE8dBx4AdHSlI6zhNsUAsbCOlWtZICvXZG4aEttPUp_fXZuAy6i8SCucHRba1a1IYG_QLZxXlhgVIHgGSpZM5zNL5c/s640/desert+aug2013+%25284+of+7%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRcGp4TIlhvGCGWrAh0Ubhl9eNVIc-aoBcvu5EYjJOAdcvlIj5E_XeGp0uDpW5fMnCZjSBoy4QtBSnAzhlV2_1sgKnySNyPJ1qJGrmHXDoyjHhOl4z5wgYDdd8BR3GNBx1GCjawRAVKN8C/s1600/desert+aug2013+%25286+of+7%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRcGp4TIlhvGCGWrAh0Ubhl9eNVIc-aoBcvu5EYjJOAdcvlIj5E_XeGp0uDpW5fMnCZjSBoy4QtBSnAzhlV2_1sgKnySNyPJ1qJGrmHXDoyjHhOl4z5wgYDdd8BR3GNBx1GCjawRAVKN8C/s1600/desert+aug2013+%25286+of+7%2529.jpg" /></a></div><br />Once I arrived, it was time for festivities...<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBt1IzkP7YX2ZQM8BUuFCkY9OXfg4t4wgT28SKIzOJyMInWfMYYHxJsJNOn3HGvufj1C8ZPp7hA3zdic9JidlytgdZTbVXV1CiCzJCui4Am8-4OtQX0fZT-ARX4xTAY4ZS7DJEaInOZ6VP/s1600/CosCol13+pt1+%25281+of+48%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBt1IzkP7YX2ZQM8BUuFCkY9OXfg4t4wgT28SKIzOJyMInWfMYYHxJsJNOn3HGvufj1C8ZPp7hA3zdic9JidlytgdZTbVXV1CiCzJCui4Am8-4OtQX0fZT-ARX4xTAY4ZS7DJEaInOZ6VP/s1600/CosCol13+pt1+%25281+of+48%2529.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Okay, so I might have squealed kindof a lot when I met Merja...</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOmXKhv90V9yGHFfVqNeVr1SxFkkRX5a68Jrhl4kVtYWKl4rSaE8_ZvMZoWSacpXRhgHnb4IndZGZrCGxdgtHsSyPemjPwrs1JkdQbI9YTXLrRPaiWJJm_OWm-I9kAjePRc4U_izGB9Yrv/s1600/CosCol13+pt1+%25282+of+48%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOmXKhv90V9yGHFfVqNeVr1SxFkkRX5a68Jrhl4kVtYWKl4rSaE8_ZvMZoWSacpXRhgHnb4IndZGZrCGxdgtHsSyPemjPwrs1JkdQbI9YTXLrRPaiWJJm_OWm-I9kAjePRc4U_izGB9Yrv/s1600/CosCol13+pt1+%25282+of+48%2529.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elizabeth in her original vintage bathingsuit</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkkVpz1lmbPrRuD_1wiyXOe3MnF2tJ0dDz0oET_AhIDopmpPoPW0qjVG3jn6PgybbCoi3zQGA66dwOzHDhMFr1_6E81F2ttc9hQoZi_PppxKcBHc7By75nlpp1Z8kWyUUZWiWU9Mf8bIAU/s1600/CosCol13+pt1+%25283+of+48%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkkVpz1lmbPrRuD_1wiyXOe3MnF2tJ0dDz0oET_AhIDopmpPoPW0qjVG3jn6PgybbCoi3zQGA66dwOzHDhMFr1_6E81F2ttc9hQoZi_PppxKcBHc7By75nlpp1Z8kWyUUZWiWU9Mf8bIAU/s1600/CosCol13+pt1+%25283+of+48%2529.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The theme this year was "Cavalier With a Touch of Pirate."  The 17th century gowns were splendid</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHl9HFkzGgUI6Lac80ZM4lXGmm7tiuCP1cN5Y9r1tT9kwFoFBd5mzunn3Xd8CmqI_gNa6h4978BZ2WNoU7NXwLNVvOpuOoCrF0Sp586VnBkMGfuu8a73qZ1UPahHRIUc58dGkcE3Kc36FX/s1600/CosCol13+pt1+%25284+of+48%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHl9HFkzGgUI6Lac80ZM4lXGmm7tiuCP1cN5Y9r1tT9kwFoFBd5mzunn3Xd8CmqI_gNa6h4978BZ2WNoU7NXwLNVvOpuOoCrF0Sp586VnBkMGfuu8a73qZ1UPahHRIUc58dGkcE3Kc36FX/s1600/CosCol13+pt1+%25284+of+48%2529.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tudor Tailor Reticella Lace on the collar of this gorgeous black silk 17th c. gown</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXiOPTfKxnFz1ZruzX1PfsBgpT1NoaZB4RBPXTxPUaIf9JcZbG93mZ1JVeJIwt5wLsIOr5VoIbOtuuTh4opZUXhdzhRYPlGJVIemaKg_sXhQc9OwLi4VWRPzdefdJgwr5LjBguVbQnw625/s1600/CosCol13+pt1+%25285+of+48%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXiOPTfKxnFz1ZruzX1PfsBgpT1NoaZB4RBPXTxPUaIf9JcZbG93mZ1JVeJIwt5wLsIOr5VoIbOtuuTh4opZUXhdzhRYPlGJVIemaKg_sXhQc9OwLi4VWRPzdefdJgwr5LjBguVbQnw625/s1600/CosCol13+pt1+%25285+of+48%2529.jpg" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy9lDnqA258rt3Y4PUMjUoRXB3qcGa-KzaW9d75uXkfqLSk_FAdG8FXPGeG1cSD6H9NKQkR-rAIKOh6AttRWm1TE1LM1grojNfRcV5WHgSD9wPh4Dnu4sTP1KLq2RdXgbeZMps8QjcSDWs/s1600/CosCol13+pt1+%25286+of+48%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy9lDnqA258rt3Y4PUMjUoRXB3qcGa-KzaW9d75uXkfqLSk_FAdG8FXPGeG1cSD6H9NKQkR-rAIKOh6AttRWm1TE1LM1grojNfRcV5WHgSD9wPh4Dnu4sTP1KLq2RdXgbeZMps8QjcSDWs/s1600/CosCol13+pt1+%25286+of+48%2529.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stephanie and Lauren M. wearing Astoria an Gibson shoes</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Cj_Vxyke0-zEwSVRodPU4ctvSlgSywLJB8Z9YJl84H5d0QePl9GRKsXoa0r_Gr6Bde_P-_0UAIaHiaPRASipE9DLCEy7Cl_o5Bdd63zCFG2EYlAd-ueWM4JlHMm7eQggyQ_l8i3Y_fox/s1600/CosCol13+pt1+%25287+of+48%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Cj_Vxyke0-zEwSVRodPU4ctvSlgSywLJB8Z9YJl84H5d0QePl9GRKsXoa0r_Gr6Bde_P-_0UAIaHiaPRASipE9DLCEy7Cl_o5Bdd63zCFG2EYlAd-ueWM4JlHMm7eQggyQ_l8i3Y_fox/s1600/CosCol13+pt1+%25287+of+48%2529.jpg" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMSBf0RWmy1uMB6glfkhWtmwgfYLf3PKRzk7ZiuHiMrULRC62MKnuN3L2FJQ2AimgTfSwsLxShA6kk7oDi8lHHEob1VSsV2l0zJPT7rOlTQk3iXJVMtNT0nIOWMg9_6DMFuPBIEMd_BSdr/s1600/CosCol13+pt1+%25288+of+48%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMSBf0RWmy1uMB6glfkhWtmwgfYLf3PKRzk7ZiuHiMrULRC62MKnuN3L2FJQ2AimgTfSwsLxShA6kk7oDi8lHHEob1VSsV2l0zJPT7rOlTQk3iXJVMtNT0nIOWMg9_6DMFuPBIEMd_BSdr/s1600/CosCol13+pt1+%25288+of+48%2529.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Katherine Caron-Grieg in Regency perfection</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgltgYoVobxkfOfd7hrPCIS0IaQHri7TnXK5LkJLq8OEazFD3fzn74I6QD8taDb2IyMzffWJemYOvzBR2dkMuykrTwwcSdAWWnX-J989SfeOv0_aALLiW6Tc7vOqvTMsZAkiYnQVnCacdLE/s1600/CosCol13+pt1+%252816+of+48%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgltgYoVobxkfOfd7hrPCIS0IaQHri7TnXK5LkJLq8OEazFD3fzn74I6QD8taDb2IyMzffWJemYOvzBR2dkMuykrTwwcSdAWWnX-J989SfeOv0_aALLiW6Tc7vOqvTMsZAkiYnQVnCacdLE/s1600/CosCol13+pt1+%252816+of+48%2529.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Merja's incredible 18th c. riding habit - more squee-ing.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpCK5pZy2WstJqICEjZa1e8_GROXKZUp5Ylb0WHjc85Fx746BsXkiMkNex2Pj5P846eSplzU_lITL-9pS0PJ9VDXJU6-ZxnIhR06Tqkjc06YO5YolI64PdRbAyIdLpndzIZWEzlh92qH9b/s1600/CosCol13+pt1+%252817+of+48%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpCK5pZy2WstJqICEjZa1e8_GROXKZUp5Ylb0WHjc85Fx746BsXkiMkNex2Pj5P846eSplzU_lITL-9pS0PJ9VDXJU6-ZxnIhR06Tqkjc06YO5YolI64PdRbAyIdLpndzIZWEzlh92qH9b/s1600/CosCol13+pt1+%252817+of+48%2529.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jen, another of my heroes, in her gorgeous riding habit.  That color!!</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfsTbBJPOOEzDJm6aZsUT6Cap_FmcWpaKeI0FJrbySsSIBrfz4LhBcLHcIuWVTBe6FFLvpImXU_iU-eTxvIxOlHgUVHBlji_Sumxr5UTLTa2nLEaZP_T9_TUtsubaszuLG7AjeL_ruaO89/s1600/CosCol13+pt1+%252818+of+48%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfsTbBJPOOEzDJm6aZsUT6Cap_FmcWpaKeI0FJrbySsSIBrfz4LhBcLHcIuWVTBe6FFLvpImXU_iU-eTxvIxOlHgUVHBlji_Sumxr5UTLTa2nLEaZP_T9_TUtsubaszuLG7AjeL_ruaO89/s1600/CosCol13+pt1+%252818+of+48%2529.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Details of Merja's riding habit</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiJNuSNUCW7cUdb8JH1cCPhxFUMwuq5EhbDwA9L3hlLgpgB7PeW9cetzlVLCtm7-Ni-QqZI1eYfNJJmpiB5etm58A2Y_TG4P5dvHyyh6RBw3jsbVJ8bK-ArADzIoWndABrfnjg9qqFEe1I/s1600/CosCol13+pt1+%252819+of+48%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiJNuSNUCW7cUdb8JH1cCPhxFUMwuq5EhbDwA9L3hlLgpgB7PeW9cetzlVLCtm7-Ni-QqZI1eYfNJJmpiB5etm58A2Y_TG4P5dvHyyh6RBw3jsbVJ8bK-ArADzIoWndABrfnjg9qqFEe1I/s1600/CosCol13+pt1+%252819+of+48%2529.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rebecca in a beautiful Robe a la Turque, for the Ice Cream Social</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLUDf3x6JVj8TN07ubqTCZcOM_AfBv48g07uYYd1rt7v2dZlSFeadPnx-muNtNLgoaOHr9ERR3f-xEiz3XVrOm4auc_2xGLnIgHPMgwYuKMqd5SKcZzOpXwAjiju3ko6DmcB3qy-U8WbtF/s1600/CosCol13+pt1+%252820+of+48%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLUDf3x6JVj8TN07ubqTCZcOM_AfBv48g07uYYd1rt7v2dZlSFeadPnx-muNtNLgoaOHr9ERR3f-xEiz3XVrOm4auc_2xGLnIgHPMgwYuKMqd5SKcZzOpXwAjiju3ko6DmcB3qy-U8WbtF/s1600/CosCol13+pt1+%252820+of+48%2529.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My first curtain-along dress, the 1780 Indienne, for the Ice Cream Social</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4YCkzDAzWbGEznkBZlTgI7ddm0c4XXmnSS4HNzSBzlQC_LSozr5uuK8bE8uRR92ebjcYh0XgnQswcDAS5grvhgQuM2gi1H5lM55H0l7wvPFn46s-jCgdmaM8CKvzIMwgKgowG5N_rKyfs/s1600/CosCol13+pt1+%252822+of+48%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4YCkzDAzWbGEznkBZlTgI7ddm0c4XXmnSS4HNzSBzlQC_LSozr5uuK8bE8uRR92ebjcYh0XgnQswcDAS5grvhgQuM2gi1H5lM55H0l7wvPFn46s-jCgdmaM8CKvzIMwgKgowG5N_rKyfs/s1600/CosCol13+pt1+%252822+of+48%2529.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">18th century Disney Princesses - *genius* !</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvJ8TE0MM4vnAeQ2UJYDSczYcLMb-gk90ErRDx5Yg2O4luf0TSZKauhX4NIIymftBN8Vn2hPR87R3Uy-Y5hQbKJNs6ktpRnbADKBJyfOwh6D4okhnPFVMaca5PZ6o3LhfCFqgwlLq1VPSH/s1600/CosCol13+pt1+%252823+of+48%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvJ8TE0MM4vnAeQ2UJYDSczYcLMb-gk90ErRDx5Yg2O4luf0TSZKauhX4NIIymftBN8Vn2hPR87R3Uy-Y5hQbKJNs6ktpRnbADKBJyfOwh6D4okhnPFVMaca5PZ6o3LhfCFqgwlLq1VPSH/s1600/CosCol13+pt1+%252823+of+48%2529.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pompadours and 23Skidoo shoes makes an appearance</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin0SHCXbEyY4Aj3eoJTRDG4ZeWYGIdAqnCgpRTlCvr1_0D_cMW628CAUEOZy8_14K_Y8-IvuZwXqXfzvJ8v1XFu_FdJrBw4NgfhJkXyXB_mIKmZ0FSL10zcZRBCfeEQoDuFStw7ynvxIyz/s1600/CosCol13+pt1+%252824+of+48%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin0SHCXbEyY4Aj3eoJTRDG4ZeWYGIdAqnCgpRTlCvr1_0D_cMW628CAUEOZy8_14K_Y8-IvuZwXqXfzvJ8v1XFu_FdJrBw4NgfhJkXyXB_mIKmZ0FSL10zcZRBCfeEQoDuFStw7ynvxIyz/s1600/CosCol13+pt1+%252824+of+48%2529.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My favorite picture of Elizabeth ever.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmpL5s4W9Psvc7s6OLx9vKd1PSlnSEtqbg3hp_tbDhfU9Uc7C36judlRTxJ-TD6Ce5oSQnRDkDoRDZFeY1rQ8q6YilaJY82j8cSjfCNLyyHmOvyE4H_kerGthlIvX4bLQ7YGkiOYJjzL-S/s1600/CosCol13+pt1+%252826+of+48%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmpL5s4W9Psvc7s6OLx9vKd1PSlnSEtqbg3hp_tbDhfU9Uc7C36judlRTxJ-TD6Ce5oSQnRDkDoRDZFeY1rQ8q6YilaJY82j8cSjfCNLyyHmOvyE4H_kerGthlIvX4bLQ7YGkiOYJjzL-S/s1600/CosCol13+pt1+%252826+of+48%2529.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Natalie in Regency glamour</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8PDCOS49Fg5rVyIeBOLYEQpnXWOI2cvOg6Z4hyphenhyphenON0Sh7xFOBxz0JXgSY5BXWrGFeWrh6k8kD3-9YXkHHQLhqG9Lg5TJEsPYb_lrKlaltNvL9WR5OIX00vnI5p1O7yrd0iMclj_wXOc49S/s1600/CosCol13+pt1+%252827+of+48%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8PDCOS49Fg5rVyIeBOLYEQpnXWOI2cvOg6Z4hyphenhyphenON0Sh7xFOBxz0JXgSY5BXWrGFeWrh6k8kD3-9YXkHHQLhqG9Lg5TJEsPYb_lrKlaltNvL9WR5OIX00vnI5p1O7yrd0iMclj_wXOc49S/s1600/CosCol13+pt1+%252827+of+48%2529.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jen's Regency open robe and turban - I adore this ensemble!</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkJKBzr9XDLVNsWmll8ho3LhTubWCjsWowGpC92JrL8sQNx0PzTSmDelYKoDz7mmKB1tHcEBVypgYWDTpeieKyzP3tVWYU34LmOdFkC-eRWhjOSgOeYZ-EHdNQoOTmfMGtC6Ry87FPg4bH/s1600/CosCol13+pt1+%252828+of+48%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkJKBzr9XDLVNsWmll8ho3LhTubWCjsWowGpC92JrL8sQNx0PzTSmDelYKoDz7mmKB1tHcEBVypgYWDTpeieKyzP3tVWYU34LmOdFkC-eRWhjOSgOeYZ-EHdNQoOTmfMGtC6Ry87FPg4bH/s1600/CosCol13+pt1+%252828+of+48%2529.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cynthia in a dress from Kyoto Costume Institute</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXSzPr6bXFD4EzcSKI1_oqc9gUGg9Hkp4uK-HXs-FQDcew8LiXnWOGtI74AOqxc1_Sjp27HgtzLXyxjYy7uKQ0GYpjslY-sP_hqfv3_GzJBeDgnX-w8TpLVmMMLo2tAydM1V9QwnSSA81S/s1600/CosCol13+pt1+%252829+of+48%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXSzPr6bXFD4EzcSKI1_oqc9gUGg9Hkp4uK-HXs-FQDcew8LiXnWOGtI74AOqxc1_Sjp27HgtzLXyxjYy7uKQ0GYpjslY-sP_hqfv3_GzJBeDgnX-w8TpLVmMMLo2tAydM1V9QwnSSA81S/s1600/CosCol13+pt1+%252829+of+48%2529.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kendra in her Marie Antoinette black and white Redingote</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp0gyOAp3uxxJW7SGo6euayRxj7STrAI5RZcqoSQ1Z3DX7LUUIGByd5ksblN4LS-osaZQGbxSrGQ9mPU5LKiEIJhyphenhyphen8X9zMX-iNH26ZpAiW4XYE6GVOLg4xkOukK-EmOFPjbM_EkkeGxZbl/s1600/CosCol13+pt1+%252830+of+48%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp0gyOAp3uxxJW7SGo6euayRxj7STrAI5RZcqoSQ1Z3DX7LUUIGByd5ksblN4LS-osaZQGbxSrGQ9mPU5LKiEIJhyphenhyphen8X9zMX-iNH26ZpAiW4XYE6GVOLg4xkOukK-EmOFPjbM_EkkeGxZbl/s1600/CosCol13+pt1+%252830+of+48%2529.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mary Johns in beautiful 18th c. men's wear worn in "Courage, New Hampshire"</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9QVoV96zpkUzZMZbmUuzhxvbUhdXPhG56gipIKDZ315tOOIilslz3mWRZ-gbXzG2iJts7tWZqpyHNp2KAoF6Wyf2p3oSJQzaniSKpF2p8cok5a00q8pctEIVavqXxcRJw09RVi-k8TU4X/s1600/CosCol13+pt1+%252831+of+48%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9QVoV96zpkUzZMZbmUuzhxvbUhdXPhG56gipIKDZ315tOOIilslz3mWRZ-gbXzG2iJts7tWZqpyHNp2KAoF6Wyf2p3oSJQzaniSKpF2p8cok5a00q8pctEIVavqXxcRJw09RVi-k8TU4X/s1600/CosCol13+pt1+%252831+of+48%2529.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Merja and Kendra had made matching Marie Antoinette redingotes, both utterly fantastic</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigi3t5Z6JZBVcJrpzKFYgSc55iTDiGXCdHnXxTnNKm7hLmM-CYX5WMy-Vw8Wtuefy0Q50dSAhvqBI5UBjRQRQ9gWpCMjfdjAisEXZdvdbBHWc6oZwqZ9MqAz4xW0_fqYQ1heXijtlLF1Q-/s1600/CosCol13+pt1+%252810+of+48%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigi3t5Z6JZBVcJrpzKFYgSc55iTDiGXCdHnXxTnNKm7hLmM-CYX5WMy-Vw8Wtuefy0Q50dSAhvqBI5UBjRQRQ9gWpCMjfdjAisEXZdvdbBHWc6oZwqZ9MqAz4xW0_fqYQ1heXijtlLF1Q-/s1600/CosCol13+pt1+%252810+of+48%2529.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Details from the costumes on exhibit - this one made by Natalie Meyer, fashioned after Glenn Close's costumes in Dangerous Liaisons.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC-KCic6UFCjNqGunzFW3TJp1HPVkKu7PfrCcSJzGHk2lZJZw-KAVzq7PZ7r7w3PnhCDscuzzuDo39opJhcq4SbWV67XyzCBPKJbz5bNxN11oJ3MU9JJa-yTDCIFFb3T1Gb7n1SPeVOjCC/s1600/CosCol13+pt1+%252812+of+48%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC-KCic6UFCjNqGunzFW3TJp1HPVkKu7PfrCcSJzGHk2lZJZw-KAVzq7PZ7r7w3PnhCDscuzzuDo39opJhcq4SbWV67XyzCBPKJbz5bNxN11oJ3MU9JJa-yTDCIFFb3T1Gb7n1SPeVOjCC/s1600/CosCol13+pt1+%252812+of+48%2529.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My favorite from the display room - a Directoire Revival gown from the 1890s, by Chantal Filson</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6cwy1td89u8SN3NvVxnx7Zf3LSkmHAXi8ZUOY3A3Y1WMiuZlouKuPNI3D2nlmSNsom0mlhpuThsGTpXmWeV_YclN0HjLOE2tmg_igESLBiGW1vSnEaZXzpxNZR8olX7CcU0Gftj3enKjO/s1600/CosCol13+pt1+%252813+of+48%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6cwy1td89u8SN3NvVxnx7Zf3LSkmHAXi8ZUOY3A3Y1WMiuZlouKuPNI3D2nlmSNsom0mlhpuThsGTpXmWeV_YclN0HjLOE2tmg_igESLBiGW1vSnEaZXzpxNZR8olX7CcU0Gftj3enKjO/s1600/CosCol13+pt1+%252813+of+48%2529.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A gorgeous 1830s bonnt by Diane Yoshitomi</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga9XN7jFocyzp_gPiwsewP-1eMvvLm7VRz6v3lKHFXasr3zPvncnKnT84D1QEpy2ED60qNQLuoaNkrbdfI1oBImElsb7mhuBtfTOl65Oxol25Y_Lxu40CGoiJqemeeDv5JbXhyphenhyphenEb77RFsH/s1600/CosCol13+pt1+%252815+of+48%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga9XN7jFocyzp_gPiwsewP-1eMvvLm7VRz6v3lKHFXasr3zPvncnKnT84D1QEpy2ED60qNQLuoaNkrbdfI1oBImElsb7mhuBtfTOl65Oxol25Y_Lxu40CGoiJqemeeDv5JbXhyphenhyphenEb77RFsH/s1600/CosCol13+pt1+%252815+of+48%2529.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A ribbon bonnet decoration - really fun and adds a lot of texture.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsK2oLns1ogfAcnqC1sPweZQCzLohwboke1IbF2sLip0XSBsnenQ8vQk1V7kG_-uuNfdNiQcLXcjkKnA4Zgvy7ILDl4JmjQY567Ht6Pch5fK8xKwrfjc-i5yNyqhz8QK2B0W1OOB25kO-w/s1600/CosCol13+pt1+%252814+of+48%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsK2oLns1ogfAcnqC1sPweZQCzLohwboke1IbF2sLip0XSBsnenQ8vQk1V7kG_-uuNfdNiQcLXcjkKnA4Zgvy7ILDl4JmjQY567Ht6Pch5fK8xKwrfjc-i5yNyqhz8QK2B0W1OOB25kO-w/s1600/CosCol13+pt1+%252814+of+48%2529.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One last detail from the costume room - I loved the bold and sophisticated combination of colors on this bonnet.  Like candy!</td></tr></tbody></table>Want more pictures? Okay, this is only half!  I'll have more to share with you soon. :-)

2013 Costume College, Pt. 1

I'm back! I'm alive! Costume College was splendid this year.  I had SO much fun, met and chatted with so many cool people, and took ...

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