The Ornamented Being

I’ve been meaning to post this for some time now but I kept forgetting to share it.

I came across this fashion plate and immediately recognized the gown.

Costume Parisien 1810

Evening dress worn by the Countess of Palfi, date missing (1810’s?), Châteaux de Malmaison et Bois-Préau Malmaison.

Drama darling

Evening ensemble

Yves Saint Laurent, Paris  (French, founded 1961)

My Closet Now.

Fall/Winter 1983-84

Seriously go get in my closet.

Metropolitan Museum of Art

You think I’m joking but I’m definitely not.

(Source: metmuseum.org)

Evening jacket

Yves Saint Laurent, Paris  (French, founded 1961)

Metropolitan Museum of ArtFall/Winter 1989-90

(Source: metmuseum.org)

When I received my invitation to the Hampshire Regency Dancers Ball I only read two lines before I decided I had to attend:

‘As Jane Austen wrote in ‘Pride & Prejudice’ “Do not you feel a great inclination, Miss Bennet, to seize such an opportunity of dancing a reel?” 

Where better to dance a reel & celebrate the 200th anniversary of the novel than at this year’s Hampshire Regency Dancers Ball’.

An amusing thing happened late Saturday night. I had just finished the Swiss Allemande and was dancing down the dark hallway in search of a glass of water when I heard someone behind me gasp. I turned around to find the head of the house at the end of the hallway staring at me with his hand over his heart as if he has seen a ghost. I finally broke the silence to enquire if he was alright as he was quite pale but this caused him to step back against the wall. Very worried I walked towards him which seemed to alarm him greatly. Then I realized that in my white gown in the darkened hallway of Chawton House I must have looked like the ghost that was haunting the home. Which I of course took as a grand compliment! I wanted to achieve a floating gossamer feel for the ball. While making this gown I frequently practiced the Duke of Kent’s Waltz to ensure that it floated properly. 

My evening gown is a direct copy of the following fashion plate (click the link): 1817- Ackermann’s Repository Series2 Vol 3 - April Issue

Ensemble

(a) Yves Saint Laurent, Paris  (French, founded 1961)

Spring/ Summer 1964

Metropolitan Museum of Art

I know it’s not what I normally post but I really love this ensemble!

(Source: metmuseum.org)

Wedding ensemble

Yves Saint Laurent, Paris  (French, founded 1961)

c. 1976-77

Metropolitan Museum of Art

(Source: metmuseum.org)

Flower girl ensemble

Yves Saint Laurent, Paris  (French, founded 1961)

c. 1976-77

Metropolitan Museum of Art

(Source: metmuseum.org)

(Source: digmus.bunka.ac.jp)

Bunka Gakuen Costume Museum

c. 1840-50

(Source: digmus.bunka.ac.jp)

Bunka Gakuen Costume Museum

c.1860

(Source: digmus.bunka.ac.jp)

Bunka Gakuen Costume Museum

c.1720-30

(Source: digmus.bunka.ac.jp)

Bunka Gakuen Costume Museum

c.1825-35

(Source: digmus.bunka.ac.jp)