Journal

Princess ball gown with a glitter tulle skirt and boned corset

Historical Corsets and Costume Silhouettes: A P...

Understand how corsets, panniers and skirt supports shape a historical-inspired gown, and what to check before choosing the understructure for your costume.

Historical Corsets and Costume Silhouettes: A P...

Understand how corsets, panniers and skirt supports shape a historical-inspired gown, and what to check before choosing the understructure for your costume.

Pink Venetian Baroque gown with ivory lace and a full court skirt

From Portrait to Pattern: How to Read an 18th-C...

A portrait is not a sewing pattern, but it contains clues. Learn how to read neckline, bodice, sleeves, skirt support, textile scale and trim when researching an 18th-century gown from...

From Portrait to Pattern: How to Read an 18th-C...

A portrait is not a sewing pattern, but it contains clues. Learn how to read neckline, bodice, sleeves, skirt support, textile scale and trim when researching an 18th-century gown from...

Pink Venetian Baroque gown with ivory lace and a full court skirt

Dressing for Venice After Dark: A Masquerade Ev...

An elegant evening in Venice asks different things of a costume. From masks and skirt volume to shoes, outer layers, hotel delivery and photography, here is how to plan a...

Dressing for Venice After Dark: A Masquerade Ev...

An elegant evening in Venice asks different things of a costume. From masks and skirt volume to shoes, outer layers, hotel delivery and photography, here is how to plan a...

Crystal Midnight Waltz liquid satin ball gown in luminous ice blue, front view

A Dress Made for Candlelight: Why Silk, Satin a...

Some gowns reveal their best qualities after sunset. Discover how satin, silk-like sheen, velvet, metallic trims and dimensional details respond to low light—and how to choose a costume for an...

A Dress Made for Candlelight: Why Silk, Satin a...

Some gowns reveal their best qualities after sunset. Discover how satin, silk-like sheen, velvet, metallic trims and dimensional details respond to low light—and how to choose a costume for an...

DC-18C-001 Grand Bouquet Floral Silk-Inspired DressCon historical fabric pattern

Why Rococo Flowers Never Look Accidental

Rococo florals are more than pretty flowers. Learn how scale, spacing, stripes, garlands and fabric structure make an 18th-century-inspired textile feel convincing rather than generic.

Why Rococo Flowers Never Look Accidental

Rococo florals are more than pretty flowers. Learn how scale, spacing, stripes, garlands and fabric structure make an 18th-century-inspired textile feel convincing rather than generic.

Historical costume makeup comparison: 18th-century and 19th-century beauty looks

Powder, Rouge and Reputation: Beauty at the 18t...

Powdered skin, visible rouge, hair powder and beauty rituals were more than decoration. Explore the social language of the 18th-century dressing table and how it shaped the face seen in...

Powder, Rouge and Reputation: Beauty at the 18t...

Powdered skin, visible rouge, hair powder and beauty rituals were more than decoration. Explore the social language of the 18th-century dressing table and how it shaped the face seen in...