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The Collection

Gowns by Laura Meyer
Photography by Shelly Wittstock Orlandini
The Duchess
NFS
 

The Duchess gown is made in the true Victorian tradition- one skirt with two coordinating bodices- one for daytime and the other for evening.

The taffeta skirt is a "french fan" style with a draped front, short train and handmade historically accurate puffed trim at the hem, accented with 200 vintage rhinestones.

The  daytime bodice is a blue and silver brocade with a manarin collar. Fully lined, interlined and boned, the front closure is faced with decorative frog colsures, and the decolletege is framed with a delicate lace insert. The long tail on the bodice features deep double pleats.

The evening bodice is made of the same fabric as the skirt and is fully boned, lined and interlined. Edged with the same bejeweled puff trim as the skirt, the asymmetrical closure on the basque flatters the waist. The sleeves are simple but stunning, puffed with a delicately curved upper arm and crystal buttons as a focal point. Made for use with a moderate bustle.

Model: Rebecca Brummer

The Promenade
SOLD

This gown, inspired by a delicate vintage top completely covered in rows of beads and pale yellow pearls, is a testament to the Victorian ideals of opulence and excess...

The main fabric is a hand-dyed cotton  blend stripe, the darker blue stripes in plush velour. Thirteen yards of pale yellow silk adorn the bodice and skirt, inside and out. Lined in yellow silk, interlined and boned, the bodice features handmade silk piping, lapel and cuffs beaded with vintage pearl beads, contrasting chevrons in yellow velvet ribbon on the sleeves with a silk covered button at each point, and a hidden-closure front contrast panel completely covered in vintage beads and pearls. The back of the tailored bodice terminates in a swallowtail of silk, beads and pearls. The skirt features piping, tabs and covered buttons in the front, and an extravagant panel of yellow silk pleats, repeating the chevron shape around the base of the skirt. The pleats, framed by silk piping, run up the back to frame the striking waterfall of yellow silk. The waterfall train is contained only by three flattering bands in blue, each band topped by two silk covered buttons. The opulent hem decoration is a deep band of box pleats in yellow silk, adorned with a hand-sewn design of beads and pearls. 

The hat, once a 1940's asymmetrical "film noir" style beauty, has been transformed into a confection of Victorian elegance, featuring a pleated band adorned with covered buttons at the crown and lined in yellow silk around the base of the brim. The matching silk purse keeps to the simple lines of the dress, but is decorated, too, with a yellow velvet ribbon and a vintage cobalt blue rhinestone button. Made for use with a moderate to large bustle.

Model: Evelina Pashkova

Model: Evelina Pashkova

The Expedition
$2,000 USD

The Expedition, consisting of a polonaise and skirt, makes a grand statement- regal in stature and impressive in details.

The polonaise is a burgundy and bronze damask blend and is trimmed with revers of vintage silk velvet in a light brown, and satin pleats and covered buttons of the same color.  The front buttons are velvet covered, and fasten up to the satin false shirt front. Fastened with snaps, this shirt front is adorned with extremely ornate vintage lace, hand-stitched onto the fabric. The collar and cuffs are of fine linen from a vintage tuxedo shirt. At the base of the throat is a brass apothecary style beetle brooch.  Edging the hem of the polonaise is coordinating trim and ball fringe,

The skirt, yards and yards of vintage silk velvet, features an extremely deep hem of box-pleated ruffles of tan satin with velvet covered buttons at every pleat. The pleated hem gives this skirt really beautiful movement in motion.

The hat, a 1920's beauty in tan silk velvet, has been redesigned with swoops of curled feathers and satin in burgundy, and a delightful "bow" style stand at the back for added height. A corrdinating purse in tan velvet with brass frame accompanies the suit.

Made for use with a moderate bustle.

Model: Evelina Pashkova

The Countess Ballgown
NFS
 

The Countess Ballgown is the epitome of elegance with a flair of drama fit for royalty. The gown, based off a 1891 pattern, is comprised of a long gored skirt and an overdress with a cut reminiscent of Regency formalwear. The overdress is a very rich, deep emerald colored velvet that sweeps in one elegant length from the shoulders, down the fitted waist, into a grand train. Fully lined in a heavy ivory satin, the skirt's train bustles by way of three substantial vintage rhinestone buttons.  Three matching buttons are set as the front "closure", accenting a tiny waist as the velvet sweeps up around the bust to the shoulders. Ivory chiffon ruches at the bust and sheaths the satin skirt, bounded at the chest and hem by 12" deep vintage lace, hand sewn to the gown. The custom designed sleeves are lightly gathered at the peak and offer a delicate edging of lace as well. To take the drama of this gown to the next level, thousands of crystal clear beads and ivory pearls on dozens of appliques were applied to the dress, framing the bodice and the train in a stunning display. Accented with a celluloid hair comb, curled ostrich feathers, opera length satin golves and a vintage pearl and diamante necklace. Made for use with a trained moderate to large bustle.

Model: Heather Dawson

The Baroness Ballgown
$600 USD
 

The Baroness Ballgown is inherently unique, for the bodice is actually fashioned using an antique ballgown bodice dating from1900-1910.  The lace details and gorgeous pintucking on the delicate black fabric are all over 100 years old, and are a testament to the quality that came before our age of jeans, t-shirts and disposable fashion.

The front of the bodice, being quite sheer, has been recovered in an ivory satin.  Some interior edges of this recovering are left unfinished, given the delicate nature of the underlying fabric.  This isn't visible (obviously) from the outside.

Gilding the lily, I used vintage lace and millinery silk flowers to create a sash such as those that would be worn by the most dignified guests at a ball. A gathering of ivory and black roses rest at the shoulder and the hip, attachable with a pin at the waist.

The skirt, also one of a kind, is made from a vintage black silk velvet skirt.  From the fullness I created a pseudo-bustle at the back, allowing the optional use of a small bustle or none, depending on the era one wishes to evoke with the gown.  At each gathering point along the back hangs a gorgeous ivory pearl.  The waist is a reinforced 4" band of black lace heavily decorated with black beads and sequins.  The size of the waist is adjustable from approx 29"-32" due to large hook & eye clasps. A dark band of ribbon at the bodice waist wraps around to tie in the back, allowing for adjustability there as well.  The fabrics of both the skirt and bodice are vintage and should be treated as such, but are definitely wearable (and waltz-able).  Can be worn with or without a small bustle.

Model: Laura Meyer

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