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.

Finished Project: Dusky Pink Gown

Recently I was invited to a murder mystery evening which was so much fun.  A few weeks before we were given a costume brief and mine was to be a socialite who should wear a full ballgown.  I couldn't find anything in the local charity shops so naturally came to the conclusion that two weeks is plenty of time to design and make a gown from scratch!!!

Luckily I had this fabric in my stash, it's lovely pink chiffon and I used black satin that I had lurking around for the underdress/lining.

I just about got the thing sewn in time and then realised I had just enough fabric left over to make a sash to tie around the waist.  It's funny how last minute ideas like that can really complete a project in a way that surprises you.

These photos were taken the day after the murder mystery, when the British weather decided to behave itself  for once and the blossoms were at their prettiest.  Good timing all round!!

New project - Aphrodite Gown

I am embarking on another full length chiffon gown, this time inspired by the greek goddess Aphrodite.  It's going to have a red satin underdress with white chiffon draped over it, plus hand made fabric roses arranged around the empire line.
 















Bodice front.

So far I have got the bodice sewn and fitted.  The chiffon will be applied over the top and I will be going for a nice drapey, cowl effect across the front and back neckline.

The bodice back.

I will be draping the skirts separately from the bodice and bring the two together once all the chiffon is nicely sewn in place.

The Sirona gown in daylight.

I dragged Claudia out into the garden to take some proper pictures of the finished dress.  Dress forms have got to be one of the most awkward things to maneuver through a house.  Good thing they don't make them with heads or she would have been decapitated on the upstairs banister!!!






















I love chiffon - if only it was easier to work with.

A shot of the train.

A close up of the bodice from the side.

My Favourite Oscar Dresses

I was really looking forward to seeing what was worn by hollywoods finest on the red carpet but it wasn't as spectacular as I might have hoped.  I think a lot of stars played it safe this year and did what was expected rather than pushing boundaries which is a shame.  Pale and nude colours were a big favourite, to the point were it bordered on bland.  Anyone who chose to wear bright colour really stood out and looked all the better for it.  Having said that my best dressed of the night was pale toned.....

Personally I love this Givenchy dress on Cate Blanchett although it seems to have made as many worst dressed lists as best. I think it was a brave choice, something a little bit different and an interesting, original design.

My second favourite couldn't be more different.  Camilla Alves in this black Kaufman Franco gown looked stunning.  It's such a pretty and flattering design - I adore the way the skirts fall from the waistband.  I might have to have a go at making this!

Sandra Bullock in a red Vera Wang creation.  the construction and cut of this dress won me over instantly.  It's immaculate.

A pregnant Natalie Portman looking downright gorgeous.  Dressing to accommodate her bump must have been no small feat, of course, having a gown made by Rodart (the ladies who designed the costumes for Black Swan) helps.

Sirona Gown - progress.

I cut my pattern out in polycotton to check the fit and make sure I hadn't made any errors when pattern drafting.  Everything matched up and it only needed a few tweaks to the fit here and there which I transfered over to my paper pattern.  As there were not any drastic changes it means I will be able to use this as the lining - this made me super happy as I despair at wasting fabric.

 

Dress from the front before slight changes to the fit were made.  I needed to tighten it up around the bust and waist to an exetremely close fit, to prevent the dress from slipping on the strapless side.

 

The back -  it has a little train!

I can't wait to cut this out in my satin fabric - the colour is called latte - a very pretty pale gold.

My latest project - the Sirona Gown

I have been busy beavering away on a new gown.  I was inspired by Elie Saabs embellished and appliqued evening and bridal wear.  I just love the encrusted-ness!

Sigh.....

So with a head full of bedazzling lovelyness I thought it would be fun to make something like this....


 
















Apologies for the poor image - if there's a photographer in me, she's buried deep.

Its an asymmetric, one shoulder, floor length gown consisting of a lining and satin outer shell which I have cut from my own blocks.  Once the satin front and back are sewn I am then planning to drape, gather and manipulate chiffon directly onto the satin before bringing the front and back together, putting in a zip and finishing it off with the lining.  The delicate task of sewing on the appliques and beading will come at the end.