The Ornamented Being
Ornamented: -verb: Adorn; beautify. Be·ing: -noun: Fulfillment of possibilities; essential completeness.
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I feel like I have seen quite a few of these items before.
Cape vers 1890, en velours de soie noir brodé en perles de jais ton sur ton d’un grand décor floral; col pèlerine montant garni d’autruche noire à découpe festonnée.
Google says: Cape 1890, black silk velvet embroidered with jet beads tonal a large floral decoration, cape collar trimmed with black ostrich scalloped cutout.
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Ollivier Henry, « Grand habit », d’inspiration habit de cour du XVIIIe siècle, 2011.
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Darlington, Runk & Co. (American)
c.1880–85
Met
The textile is killing me with beauty.
(Source: metmuseum.org)
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Photoset reblogged from hey, lost your way?
“The most intriguing duel fought between women, and the sole one that featured exposed breasts, took place in August 1892 in Verduz, the capitol of Liechtenstein, between Princess Pauline Metternich and the Countess Kielmannsegg. It has gone down in history as the first “emancipated duel” because all parties involved, including the principals and their seconds were female… Before the proceedings began, the baroness pointed out that many insignificant injuries in duels often became septic due to strips of clothing being driven into the wound by the point of a sword. To counter this danger she prudently suggested that both parties should fight stripped of any garments above the waist. Certainly, Baroness Lubinska was ahead of her time, taking an even more radical take on the (at the time) widely dismissed theories of British surgeon Joseph Lister, who in 1870 revolutionized surgical procedures with the introduction of antiseptic.
With the precautions Baroness Lubinska recommended, the topless women duelists were less likely to suffer from an infection; indeed, it was a smart idea to fight semiclad. Given the practicality of the baroness’ suggestion and the “emancipated” nature of the duel, it was agreed that the women would disrobe—after all, there would be no men present to ogle them. For the women, the decision to unbutton the tops of their dresses was not sexual; it was simply a way of preventing a duel of first blood from becoming a duel to the death.
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It is humorous that most recounts of this historic event fail to mention two important things: the winner of the duel (Princess Metternich) and the reason why the women came to arms in the first place—they disagreed over the floral arrangements for an upcoming musical exhibition.”
The first rule of topless victorian ladies swordfighting club is that topless victorian ladies swordfighting club is not to be mentioned in mixed company.
The second rule is naught but an emphatic repeating of the first.
I’M TELLING YOU PINK IS HIDEOUS!
/WHIPS OUT SWORD.
TAKE OFF YOUR SHIRT. WE’RE SETTLING THIS WITH A DUEL.
Seriously some of the comments on this thread are epic.
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Mirror Mirror - Eiko Ishioka
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Emile Pingat (1820–1901), Paris, Skirt and polonaise, 1885. Velvet, beads, silk, glass. Collection of Shelburne Museum. 2010-75
“Emile Pingat has taken a page from the 18th century, adapting a classical men’s court ensemble and feminizing it. Instead of breeches that match the coat, there is a long velvet skirt finished with a ruffle. The apparent waistcoat is not a separate garment but instead is constructed as two decorative panels set into the coat. Pingat has updated the style and beauty of aristocratic men’s clothing by adding the small pointed zigzag motif in the embroidery. This one-of-a-kind colonial revival style dress would have been worn to a ball or masquerade with appropriate accessories that could have included a wig, fan, and shoes.
(Source: collection.shelburnemuseum.org)
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Darling, what ever shall we wear for the Zombie Apocalypse?
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Does anyone have any information on this photo?
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A modern take on an ancient idea.
But at a price. For only $3,500 this can be yours! Click me!
“This magnificent poison ring features a large central topaz stone that can be unlocked with a key to reveal a tiny secret compartment. The whole ring is covered in decorative engravings, and on each of the fours claws holding the topaz there are tiny bezel set blue sapphires (we can alternate the sapphires for diamonds if you wish, just let us know in the notes to seller section). It has been entirely hand made (including the locking mechanisms). The dimensions of the locking box are approx 12mm wide x 12mm deep x 18mm from the top of the topaz to the bottom of the box. The key to open it is approx 23mm long, and comes on a 50cm chain to be worn around the neck.”
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Anna held and her crazy amazing wast
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Photo reblogged from Die Male Doms
Secret poison case disguised as a book, 17th century
I have no idea where it’s from but it’s pretty amazing.
6,965 notes … Seriously!!!!!
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I don’t understand the trend of crazy-break-your-ankle-but-it’s-ok-as-long-as-it’s-in-the-name-of-fashion high heels.
Edit: … … So to answer the questions in my ask box: I study historic costuming, I blog about fashion, I live in London (which just happens to be a fashion capitol), and I attend a UAL University, of course I can walk in heels.
I slipped down a flight of stairs during the monsoon season in Singapore damaging my ankle. My absolutely amazing dance teacher didn’t care and made me dance on it. Plus, I live in London (where you must walk everywhere) add that on top of a weak ankle and platforms or no, crazy high heels don’t make sense.
I see girls running and falling in the train station everyday, falling down stairs, tripping over cobble stones, and holding up the queues at the airport. These are fine for partying or a high fashion event but for daytime wear, No. (LCF girls I am talking to you. ;D).
