FOUNDATIONS REVEALED COMPETITION ENTRY
The Frog Queen
(click images to to enlarge)
Outline the story …
The Russian tale „Frog Princess“ by Alexander Afanassjew, written around 1860 is about a princess who was hexed in a shape of a frog. One day, the three sons of a king had to choose a wife by shooting an arrow and whoever finds it, they had to marry. The arrow of the youngest one landed in a pond and was found by the Frog Princess, which he then married. The king told the three wives to solve three quests and the Frog Princess had the best results because she could turn into her human shape by night. To celebrate the marriages, there was a big fiest the night after and everyone would see the Frog Princess in her true shape for the first time. Her husband was so happy for having such a beautiful wife that he ran home and burned the skin of her frog body. What he didn’t know was that she had to return into her animal shape for one last time to be able to stay a human forever. When she found out she tuned into a swan and flew away. He followed her, had to solve several quests on his way but in the end, he could save her and they lived happily ever after.
The costume, consisting of a dress (Sarafan) and a chemise (Rubacha), is inspired by traditional, Slavic clothes. This outfit is often found in Russian/Slavic tales because they emerged over a period of time when fashion didn’t change much.
Outline the construction…
The whole costume is made out of materials I already had so it was a rather no-budged project. The dress is made out of curtains fabric, the shift from plain white fabric, I use for tracing and making mock-ups and the lace on the dress is actually the lace from a very old tablecloth. It worked really well lengthwise and also stylewise – I found many paintings with very similar patterns on the lace. The biggest sources of information were Russian forums as well as some Russian literature about historical clothing. Unfortunately, I could barely find anything in English.
I love it. The shape, the flow of the fabric due to how it’s pieced together. The trim is perfect, and to think it came from a tablecloth – you’d never know. And the story. Thank you. Best of luck x
I always love the look of extra long sleeves – it’s such a fun detail 🙂
Well done!
I like folklorical costums so much. You did great. The result is lovely
The fabric and trimmings are beautiful. And the extra long sleeves … “sighs happily”
Lovely story, and beautiful entry. Love the vertical decorations at the front.
I love everything on it, design, colour fabric choice, artistic interpretation. Браво!
What an intense story. I would never know it was curtains fabric and lace from a table cloth. Beautifully put together.
I loved seeing your drawings (patterns) and the clear views of the subsequent seaming. Beautiful and very well constructed.
Beautiful job! You did very well with the pattern, and the resources you had. (I do historical reenactment, and know how difficult it can be to find patterns and/or information that is good. It is a lovely garment.
I have such a soft spot for folkloric costume of all kinds, and this is such a pretty adaptation. Well done!
This is so nice. I really like it! Thank you!
I saw the long sleeves and was immediately intrigued by your entry, they are such a cool design element! After reading your story, I’m super impressed that you made it all out of recycled fabrics, and love that the outfit is inspired by Slavic folklore and culture, it’s unique and interesting!
Well done! Very unique, love the inspiration!
Beautiful. Those colours were a good choice.
This was done beautifully, and such a clever detail to have some extra long sleeves