Costume College 2009 photos

[aimeekitty]

Costume College is basically an event that focuses on historical (and some "other" and fantasy) costuming classes with some dressup events. It's a great idea, cause I love learning and wearing foofy gowns, right?

I don't have many pictures from the first couple days, as Judy and were mostly taking classes during that time and I didn't stay at the con Friday night.

I enjoyed Costume College a lot more this year than I had when I went a few years ago. I don't know if it was because the classes were more up my alley or because I knew more people? Met lots of snazy ladies, too. "Hey, don't I know you online...?"

Also, I think it's interesting that, in general my impression is that this crowd is more interested in craftsmanship than most of the anime and sci/fi conventions. Ie, it's less about how "hawt" you are and more about "oh my god, did you embroider that?!" People also seem very willing to share their construction techniques. Both are a refreshing change. haha. (which is not to say that I don't still really love my anime/sci-fi cons. I do. Just different.)

I wish that there were more all 18th-century events. It seems kindof rare...? (even though a lot of ladies really like this period...)

Some of my classes:
~~~ draping a modern bustier (she used me as the model, so I got to keep the muslin! sweet!)
~~~ 18th century ribbon trim (obviously up my alley)
~~~ Women's Riding Jackets (a lecture with lots of great pictures and info. SO AWESOME. I love jackets)
~~~ Draping Robe a la Francaise (by Kendra (demode) great class. guess I'm going to have to wait for next time I see Judy though so that we can drape each other...) .... I'm pretty happy with my red dress as a first try... but, I really want to make another one with what I learned.
~~~ Construction of 17th-18th century shoes
~~~ Women's Jackets (18th Century) and Women's textiles (both by Sally Queen,... and I got one of her fabric swatch books! She was SO INTERESTING. Loved these lectures. Learned a lot)
~~~ 1770's big hair - by Kendra (demode) (definitely got my thoughts going about wig structures! lovely wigs)
~~~ Fop/Dandy lecture (yay!)

Prince Charming teaching us how to make historical shoes! he arrived with a cape on, too. XD It was really really interesting, actually. I understand a lot more about shoes and have a huge respect for shoemakers now! (but I need another hobby like a shot in the head...)


The gorgeous shoes he made (18th century men's ) (You can see more of his stuff here)


I'm not going to post photos from the other classes, because I'm not sure the teachers want me to, and it's probably not that interesting to you guys anyway. :)

Then... Getting ready for the ball! (which is basically where everyone wore their best outfits. We had a nice dinner, some games and a dance.)
Judy and I did each other's hair while watching Harry Potter. This is pretty much all our natural hair, with the exception of a donut inside. I was pretty impressed!

It's kindof super amusing that it took an hour each to do our hair, but only about 15-30 minutes to get into corset and gowns.




Ready for the ball!




BTW, Judy's edges are scallop-pinked, her stomacher is hand embroidered (couching, I believe??) and she quilted her petticoat. <3
Judy borrowed my pearls that Char gave me!




This lady (vanessa-lynne) was one of my favorites. I loved her teal/purple changeable gown and her hair was so fabulous.




This "gentleman" was SO AWESOME. going around holding all the ladies' hands. Obviously I need to make a pink frockcoat now.


The table setting for the ball (so Marie Antoinette's birthday!
we also played the "stick the paper/name on your head and guess who I am game")


Dancing ladies




Dancing was kind of amusing in these gowns and corsets. Cause you have t-rex arms and you can't bend at the waist, at all. So there was a lot of spinning. Haha.

Squeeing over this lovely lady's embroidered peacock stomacher. (photo thanks to vanessa-lynne)


(photo thanks to vanessa-lynne)


(photo thanks to vanessa-lynne)


Some various lovely ladies we saw throughout the weekend:
(please pardon the low quality of some photos, we often were running around or in low light situations.
If you are in one of these photos and would like it taken down, just let me know)
(probably jubilima?)


Love this style. I really want to make a jacket like this later (maybe in red or navy? who knows!) (probably jubilima?)


QUILTED PETTICOAT LOVE


her stomacher and jacket are also embroidered!


(kay-dee70?)






My photos do her no justice, but this ladies dress was a gorgeous changeable silk and her wig was AMAZING! (she made it). (check out how tall my head is compared to her wig. haha.)




Two lovely sisters


I love my BABY bracelet. Also, you can see some of the scalloping I did that took forever. haha.


Winding down for the evening and de-princessing
one of Judy's hair caterpillars is trying to escape to better lands.


what my hair looked like after it was taken down



The next day was a Costume College tradition, Sundies Undies! Basically, everyone wears their historical underpants for breakfast,... since many ladies spend a long time making their underpants, and they're often quite beautiful. I borrowed Judy's Victorian chemise since I haven't had time to make a period one for my 18th century stuff yet. But the stays (corset) and the hoops here are mine. :)


random doll photo! I brought June with me to go to the doll meet... but I ended up getting caught in a good conversation with Bridget and Heath and company,... so I didn't end up going.


I've been obsessing about this for a few months (while making my red Chevalier gown instead)... but my plans are to make an asian-ish-print Robe à l’Anglaise, and a candy pink Robe à la Française covered in roses. (since I decided to do my Sleeping Beauty gown in blue...) I also want to do another riding jacket. And then of course there is Doctor Who Madame de Pompadour.
... but I really need to finish Vampire Hunter D first, and then after that Sleeping Beauty must come first.

Comments

[kyubikitsy.livejournal.com]

Good gads! The costumes are all so amazing! Gorgeous gorgeous work! :D