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Self-Portrait with Two Pupils, Mademoiselle Marie-Gabrielle Capet and Mademoiselle Carreaux de Rosemond by Adélaïde Labille-Guiard (1785)
I’m writing on this stunning piece by Labille-Guiard for an art history comparison and I can’t decide - do you think her robe à l’anglaise is made out of taffeta or satin? My initial idea was taffeta, since it has such a thick and heavy drape, but the sheen looks more like satin (and the presence of a lining, which looks more like the slightly matte appearance of taffeta, would explain its weight). What do you think?
As a side note, I will make Labille-Guiard’s gown (as well as the one worn by the most visible student, who I suspect is Marie Marguerite Carreaux de Rosemond) - and if it’s satin, then I already have the main fabric!
Robe à l’Anglaise | c. 1775
Unfortunately, I don’t know where this is from, but I’m convinced that Michael O’Connor, who designed the costumes for The Duchess, used it as inspiration for the below dress:
Chapeau et Brodequins de satin, pardessus de satin garni de Loutre, 1816 (Hat and boots of satin, overcoat of satin trimmed with otter)
A favorite of mine because I think that is a HOOD!
crazygoatlady asked: How much do you know about historical accessories for women? I'm reading a book called the Stockholm Octavo, set in late 18th century Sweden and it extensively mentions fans. Do you know anything about fans as an accessory item?
The first question is very broad, since there are so many periods of dress and historical accessories for each differ. If you asked me about pockets in the 18th century or jewelry during the Regency period, I’m all over that. It’s hard to know everything about everything! But in general, fans have been in fashion since the middle ages - though in different forms, of course. In the eighteenth century, fans formed a smaller circle than the fans we typically think of today. They were beautifully adorned, with handles of carved shell, ivory, wood.. tiny scenes were painted onto the fans with extraordinary skill. Apparently, during this period fans were indispensable to all classes, rather than just a luxury item for the wealthy. There were folding fans and brisé fans, the latter of which is described in detail here (although that site also mentions lace fans, which is discounted by the first below source, and I’ve never seen a lace fan from this period!).
Mary Todd LIncoln’s Velvet Ensemble | Smithsonian | c. 1861-62
Dolley Madison’s Embroidered Gown, late 1810s
Silk satin open robe hand-embroidered with flowers, butterflies, dragonflies, and phoenixes.
