Tableau

 

Home
Up

The theme of this years fashion show was "Ladies of Godey's 1862" and for our grand finale I decided to take on the challenge of recreating an entire color print. Below is my interpretation of the month of April 1862. I hope you enjoy looking at it as much as I loved creating it.

.

At far left, Nancy models a “dress of black silk with two narrow flounces on the bottom of the skirt, the upper one having a narrow blue ruche. Above this is placed a fold of blue silk slightly puffed, or perfectly plain, as may suit the fancy, braided on each side with a narrow ruche of black ribbon and crossed diagonally by the same. The sleeves are slashed to correspond with this trimming, and diamond-shaped ornaments of the same style cover the front of the corsage. The headdress is a coronet ruche, of blue silk and black lace.”

 

Second from left is Laura in a “raspberry-colored silk à la Gabrielle. There is a narrow flounce around the bottom; the rest of the trimming is a plaiting of wine-colored ribbon. The sleeves are particularly simple and elegant. Bonnet of white crape and spotted thulle, with a frill of blonde on the edge of the brim and a bird of Paradise plume.”

 

At the center of our tableau is Linda in a “dress of rich brown silk, with a plissès of the same shade of ribbon, which has a pearled or pointed edge. The sleeve is noticeable in the figure also, as a new modification of the favorite Francis 1st, and is extremely stylish; it is lined with white silk and has a plaiting of white satin ribbon. Simple white chip hat, with mauve ribbons, and a row of daisies inside the brim.”
  Second from right, Hana models anelaborate reception-dress of Pomona or apple-green silk. The bands are of black silk, the lower one ornamented by a design in green braid work. Zouave Jacket of Black cloth, with green silk edging and insertions; the diamond-shaped ornament is in green braid. Cawl of white and black guipure, with a few flowers in the plaited lace border.”  

 At far right, we have Laurel in awalking or carriage-dress of mauve silk, with plain pointed waist and sleeves of moderate width. The skirt has a diagonal puffing of alternate mauve and violet silk, separated by a mauve piping. Tablier mantle, trimmed with volantes of silk, and rich crochet fringe, with a pyramidal heading of crochet. Hat of Mauve flowers with large green leaves, and black and white lace inside the brim.”
  Joining our ladies is Lucy in achild’s dress of lobelia blue silk with an apron front and daisy ornaments. The sleeves are excellent, being left open at the top to display the full white sleeve of the chemisette. Although it they are hard to see, Lucy's I made Lucy's shoes

 

Many of you may wonder what I did after months of preparing for this show....

 

This web site is maintained by Robin Stokes, and was last updated 01/13/2009 . All text and images are copyright 2005 by Robin Stokes, who is solely responsible for the content and reserves all rights.