FOUNDATIONS REVEALED COMPETITION ENTRY
Celestial Sorceress
(click images to to enlarge)
Other Credits
Photo credits to my love, Nathaniel Morkan
Outline the story …
Since before the first settlements of Mesopotamia, and long before the first pyramid was built along the Nile, humans have been fascinated by the night sky. The endless darkness of space that is filled with the light of billions of stars and planets has inspired myth and legend since humans have told stories. When I think of the theme, Into Another World, I imagine stars, galaxies, and the multitude of worlds in the vastness of space. Just as Galileo was not the first human to imagine a heliocentric solar system, I am not the first to imagine a magical presence in the stars and planets.
My inspiration for this baroque inspired gown came to me while looking at some of the breathtaking images coming from the James Web space telescope. The timeless beauty and rich coloration of these various nebulas far away galaxies made me dream of a celestial sorceress of the baroque period. Perhaps she is an adviser to Louis XVI, lending her magic and knowledge of the movement of heavenly bodies to the great king in planning his many conquests. She is ancient as the stars themselves but takes the form of a beautiful young woman. Dressed for the Sun King’s court, she is resplendent in fine midnight blue velvet covered stays and petticoat, with gold embroidery, and scattered with a constellation of fine bead and stonework. A train and billowing sleeves of iridescent chiffon represent the gaseous nebulas, the birthplace of stars and galaxies.
Outline the construction…
I started by consulting Patterns of Fashion 5, the #11 Smooth Covered Court Stays. I drafted my pattern from the example shown, cross-referencing it with a pattern I made several years ago so it would fit my measurements. I cut the base cotton twill, marked my boning channels, and machine stitched them. I then cut, sanded, and inserted over 80 pieces of synthetic whalebone. I whip-stitched the panels together by hand, worked the grommet holes with an awl, laced it, and did my first fit check.
It was too big, so I cut the back 2 panels down for a total of 2” reduction. I stitched the 2 panels back on, and my 2nd fit check was perfect. I then cut out the velvet, stitched it to the stays with a basting stitch, and overlapped the panels with a whip stitch. I bound the edges, and hand stitched the grommet holes. I made a wooden busk out of a paint stirrer by cutting it with bolt cutters and sanding down the edges. I then whipstitched a busk pocket to the inside front.
I took my time on the embellishments, appliqueing gold lace and sewing on beads and rhinestones. I cut and pleated the skirt, sewed on the waistband and ties, and employed my boyfriend to mark my hem. After hemming the skirt by hand, I cut, machine stitched, hand cartridge pleated, hemmed the sleeves, and overskirt, and added ribbon ties for the option to bustle up the train.
Nikita, your gown is very beautiful. It is a piece of art. The amount of work in the beading and decoration is clearly visible. I especially like the iridescent chiffon and how you used it to confirm your gowns back story. All the best to you.
This is breath taking. A perfect mix of highly structured and flowy trains and sleeves. The ligth eating velvet pairs magicly with the two tones organza.
A showstopper, everything from the perfectly fittet stays to the flowey colour changing sleeves and skirt, to the beautiful embellishments, everything in by just works so well together in telling your story. Fantastic workmanship.
This is just so stunning in every way!!! The detail, the shape and silhouette, the colour palette! Everything about this is just so beautiful and the inspiration of a secret sorceress to the Sun King. Just incredible.
This is absolutely superb ! I love everything about this outfit : The cut, the velvet, the aetherial fabric. It’s very very beautiful ! <3
Truly gorgeous and highly imaginative. Well done!
Stunning!
Thank you all for the words of encouragement. <3