October 29, 2015

Chantilly Mourning












A dear professor of mine at university was kind enough to pass a few items of historic clothing from her collection to mine after she had done a big cleaning of her sewing room. One of the items she gave me was this absolutely tissue thin and very delicate Victorian Chantilly lace mourning shawl. It is undoubtedly gorgeous, but touching it is like handling a dried spider's web it is so fragile and old. Most of the time I keep it safely away, but I allowed it this one outing in honor of Halloween.

Some of you may remember this Tudor inspired dress from last winter. I still love these crazy Borgia's (as in the TV show) inspired sleeves! I do want to redo the hem of this dress eventually and eek out a little more length. This time I paired it with some jewelry made with fun gothic charms from the craft store and a vintage belt I found thrifting years ago. The sheer tights I have on are my favorite black back-seam's (from Hanes, I get mine on Amazon) and sadly I got attacked by a thistle-ish prickly plant while taking these photos and had little barbed seed pods stuck all over the stockings down the back of my legs! Pulling those off was fun I assure you! I suppose I will need to order a few more pairs before winter descends again!

I have discovered a new way to curl my hair, not that the method itself is at all new, but it is done by winding slightly twisted sections around the curling iron with the barrel clamp closed. I know this is not a revolutionary technique, but for some reason I had never done it that way before and I am quite pleased with the results. I am trying to make it to the new year before cutting my hair again and this more Game of Thrones wave style of curling is helping me to like having my hair long again!

I hope everyone is having a lovely week leading up to Halloween, I'll be back in the sewing room again today as I try and finish the orange l'anglaise!

Dress: Made by me
Belt: Vintage
Shoes: Target
Tights: Amazon
Necklace and Earrings: Made by me
Ring: Etsy (here)

16 comments:

  1. A great dress, I love the neckline and the sleeves! The lace looks amazing, a pity that it is so fragile. They just don't make the fabrics that they used to in Victorian times...

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    1. Thank you! I'm sure one can get lace this nice somewhere, probably in Europe, but it would be crazy pricey!

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  2. Breathtakingly, bewitchingly gorgeous ensemble. You look like you could be sisters with Morticia Addams - two timelessly stylish ladies who make the colour black look like it was created just for them.

    Happiest Halloween weekend wishes, my sweet dear!
    ♥ Jessica

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    1. Thank you Jessica! I'd love to be gal pals with Morticia, we could go shopping for black lace and taxidermy :)

      I hope you have a wonderful Halloween as well <3

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  3. What a beautiful veil - and a privilege to have it. You look stunning in all black, and your new way of circling your hair really works - I adore the way it folds down over your shoulders. Sorry about your tights! Kx

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    1. Thank you! I do feel quite lucky to have it, even if it might not make it much longer, poor old thing!

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  4. Aren't you a lucky gal, I wish I had a professor like that! You look absolutely remarkable, like a gothic princess! And your hair is a dream!

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    1. The professor in question was such a mentor and wonderful person, I was so lucky! And thank you! I'll take gothic princess any day :)

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  5. This gothic look suits you so well!

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  6. What an amazing shawl! How great to be able to use it as part of this fabulous outfit. This is a great look on you.

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    1. Thank you Kate! It is certainly a beautiful piece :)

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  7. Hello,Ciao Bianca...You have such great talent ! this dress is breathtaking on You...the black & white photo is very nice...so Artistic!
    greetings

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    1. Thank you so much Aurè! It is very kind of you to say :)

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