The Ornamented Being

Dressing Gown Iida Takashimaya, 1900 The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

“Pink silk taffeta dressing gown in kimono style with embroidered naturalistic chrysanthemums and butterflies in polychrome silks. Silk plain weave lining, padded hem and pleat in back of robe. Full sleeves gathered at shoulders and trimmed with braided silk cord and tassles. Matching sash of pink silk taffeta with double-sided embroidery of chrysanthemums in green brown and pink polychrome silk with knotted silk fringe. Gown labeled: S. Iida “Takashimaya” Silks and Embroideries. Kyoto.”

(Source: mfa.org)

Kimono-style tea gown, c.1905

“Elegant tea gowns were worn by society ladies in their homes before dinner. They could relax with loosened corsets hidden under the flowing designs. When Orientalism swept the fashion world, loose Eastern garments were adapted to be worn as tea gowns. Many were imported and sold by Liberty & Co. in London.

Oriental garments for the Western market are eagerly sought today by collectors as evening wear. This fine piece was made from Japanese fabric, probably in a Tokyo kimono shop for export to the West. The style was adapted for Western tastes, while retaining traditional Chinese sleeves. The sash is more like a scarf than an obi. Without the traditional padding, the gown is lightweight.

The kimono is fashioned from very pale peach (almost beige) silk crepe and is lined with matching silk crepe de chine. The kimono is skillfully hand embroidered with trailing vines of wisteria in shades of lavender and green.

The exotic floral design has a magic as potent and restorative as the deepest slumber. The leaves have the haunting verisimilitude of nature in full bloom. The ends of the sash are finished with hand-knotted silk fringe.”

The Fall (2006)

Some people don’t know what they want to study, they go to University and play musical chairs until they are happy. Then there are some people who have always known what they wanted to do. 

I’m one of those people. I was eight when my Mom brought this home for me to play with and 13 years later that is what I am still playing with. Looking back I wonder if she could have ever imagined that a simple game could have defined my future.

Thank you Mom.

I promise to stop spamming you with new photos from the collection but geez it’s all so beautful and new! I’m pretty sure I’ve died and gone to heaven. 

Dress (Ball Gown)

House of Worth  (French, 1858–1956)

c. 1870

For some reason the back of this dress reminds me of a Kimono. 

I’m pretty obsessed with this costume also.

“Another headdress was made from an antique piece of beading from an exotic dancer’s skirt, circa 1920. Part of the headdress comes down onto Portman’s forehead; the beads are then draped up over the rest of the headdress, which results in a bangs-like look. The accompanying dress was based on a Japanese kimono look, with Biggar adding unique designs of her own. She accentuated the sleeves quite a bit, calling them “penguin sleeves” because they were so rounded they looked somewhat like a penguin. Machine and hand embroideries were used for this complex creation.”

I’m not exactly sure how I went from historic embroidered costumes to Star Wars but I don’t really mind!