I recently came across the new Christian Louboutin ‘Marie Antoinette’ shoe as you can see above they are quite something. I’ve been a lover of French history particularly around the 18th century when Marie Antoinette became the Queen of France.
So it was no surprise that my heart stopped beating when I laid my eyes on these precious sweeties. Only 37 pairs were made, and retail for just under £4000.
Tag: Haute Couture
19Th Century Fashion In Detail Is a book displaying all the great fashions of the 19Th century. Along with the fashions it also shows the detail, tailoring and construction that went into 19Th century fashions. Corsets, tailored suits accessories and outerwear are all mentioned in this book. There are close ups of all the gowns showing remarkable workmanship in beading and hand-stitching. It also shows a drawing of all the gowns in full view, and many other pictures.
There is a story to go with every item, who it was made by, who donated it, when it was made and lots of other details about the garment.
This is a fantastic book to study workmanship and beading. But there are a lot more close-up views than full views of the garments which are mostly female garments. It is a lovely book and the detail is just so pretty to look at, I enjoyed it immensely. as I’m sure you will.
Since 1995, when I was 7 years old, I’ve been cutting out images of glamorous woman wearing even more glamorous dresses from my mothers magazines. To this day, I still cut out frocks from magazines, and I study everything there is to know about them, and their creators. There was one I remember vividly, a lady wearing a black pirate styled hat, with lace trim. She was wearing what seemed to be a corset, white with a picture of a baby’s face on the front. It was quite Victorian, and had a dark aura about it. As a 7 year old, it appealed to me. I felt good inside when I looked at it, I wished I could be that woman in that picture, with the gorgeous beauty spot and perfect bosom. It wasn’t until today that I opened my recently delivered Vivienne Westwood book, that I saw this image for the very fist time since I was 7. It was like id been reconnected with my youth in a heart beat. My memories came flooding back to me of when I was that little girl, cutting out images of pretty woman in pretty frocks. It wasn’t until this day, that I found out that image was a Vivienne Westwood creation. But I do know from a young age, I knew her name and most certainly knew she was brilliant.
When I became a little older, maybe 9 or so, I used to go to my local library and borrow wedding, fashion and vogue magazines. With the turning of every page, my eyes would light up in awe of the images I were seeing. Sometimes I would even rip a page or two out of the magazine, believing that I could not live with out this image in my possession. I read the wedding magazines, because I loved to see the great big dresses, I wished I could see a world of people wearing those very dresses everyday. This was my fantasy as a child, owning a room full of gowns that i could just dream in. That’s why, John Galliano for Dior, Vivienne Westwood, Christian lacroix, Valentino, Chanel haute couture, are all my inspiration to my fantastical ideas and escapism.
So here I am, Karla Marie, consumed by fashion and everything it beholds. I’m writing to all you lovers of fantasy out there. I hope you enjoy my words.
Much love,
Karla Marie.
