Friday Eye Candy: Ribbon Corset

One thing I have yet to explore whilst on my sewing adventures is the ribbon corset.  I can't help but look at them with a sense of slight mystery as I need to get my head around what makes them tick.  I must add it to my increasingly long to-do list!

Anyway....this has got to be the prettiest ribbon corset I have ever seen.  It's constructed from silk floral ribbon, dated to 1900-5 and it lives in the Bath Fashion Museum.

Friday Eye Candy: V&A Museum - Ballgowns Exhibition

The Victoria and Albert Museum's latest fashion exhibition running until 6th January 2013 sets out to showcase the story of the ballgown in fashion and society since the 1950s.

Erdem A/W 2008

The V&A have gone all out - with the opening of the renovated Fashion Galleries inorder to set a spectacular stage.

The exhibition will feature designs by McQueen, Zhandra Rhodes, Gareth Pugh, Vivienne Westwood to name but a few.  This is definately one to catch if you're in London.  Full details on the V&A Website.

Friday Eye Candy: Corset Laced Mannequins

I stumbled across these beauties the other day and I would love to own one.  Here is just one from their gorgous range.

*swoons*

If you like pretty dressforms I highly recommend you check out the other scrumptious designs at Corset Laced Mannequins

Friday Eye Candy: Underwater Photography by Zena Holloway

For this weeks Eye Candy I thought I would show you the very special photography of Zena Holloway.  She originally started out as a scuba diver and gradually perfected her technique of taking underwater photos.

So pretty - I love the way the fabric comes to life.

Holloway is a master of bringing an ethereal, dream-like quality to her photos.

How gorgeous is this crinoline?  Lovely, lovely, lovely.

Friday Eye Candy: Eiko Ishioka

A few months ago I was saddened to hear that the incredibly talented and inspirational designer Eiko Ishioka had passed away.  She is mostly known for her work designing the costumes for Cirque du Soleil and Bram Stoker's Dracula for which she won an Academy Award.  I am a big fan of all her work but I'm only going to show you my most favourite of her designs,  Mina Murray/Harker's red bustle gown.

Eiko's original concept sketch.

Front view

View of the back.

The beautiful, elaborate bustle.

The last film Eiko worked on before her death was Mirror Mirror, a charming retelling of Snow White, which has just been released in the cinemas.

Friday Eye Candy: Glass Dresses by Diana Dias-Leao

Yes that's right - glass dresses!!!  Diana Dias-Leao decided to take her established career in the fashion industry down a more fine arts route when she took up glass making at the age of sixty.




















Not designed to be worn although they have been for the purpose of photo shoots, these magnificent pieces are more sculptures than clothes.




















So intricate and pretty.

Not to mention ingenious - I can't work out how this one is holding itself together!

I think I saved the best one until last, I love the subtle blue-green tones.

Friday Eye Candy: Mary Katrantzou Autumn/Winter 2010

I love looking at high end fashion, it's a source of inspiration but it's very rare for me to see something that I would ever consider purchasing.  Like the majority of people I'm happy carving out my personal style from whatever takes my fancy on the high street.  These dresses by Mary Katrantzou are the exception, I adore them, they tick every box.  Bold and refreshing, feminine and demure and above all deliciously quirky.

 A piece inspired by the 'Portrait of Marquise de Pompadour' 1759 by Francois Boucher





















Even more amazingly she has found ways of transfering these rich works of art onto knit fabrics, enabling her to be even more versatile with her collections.

Yep, I'm in love....

Eye Candy -18th Century Inspired Paper Wigs

I came across these astonishing works of paper manipulation whilst poking about on the internet.  I think they are absolutely beautiful and highly recommend the website of the artists that created them.
http://www.paper-cut-project.com

Image from www.paper-cut-project.com

Image from www.paper-cut-project.com