FOUNDATIONS REVEALED COMPETITION ENTRY
Celia’s Love (Oh ho ho its magic!!!)
(click images to to enlarge)
Other Credits
photographer Tony Alvarez of Delta Pin Up
Outline the story …
Entry inspired by Celia from The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern. Do you remember how you felt the first time you read a novel that truly transported you? I mean one that made you long for it to be real and slightly depressed because you knew that it couldn’t possibly come true. To be honest, you might be content with it just staying in your imagination. Less disappointing that way. The last time I felt that spark was the first time I read Harry Potter and I haven’t felt it since finishing the final book….in 2007. But then 8 years later, after trying to regain that joy I took a chance on a book with an interesting cover that began with “The circus arrives without warning”.
Swoosh! Into a circus surrounded by magic clad only in black and white with only those who know it most intimately but are not of it dare to wear a splash of scarlet while keeping with the monochromatic tone. It was fantastic. I bought multiple copies just to share with anyone who would appreciate it and I don’t regret a single penny spent. It had to be shared. Enter Foundations Revealed.
The corset is kind of my love letter to the Night Circus. I also wanted to incorporate it into my pin up attire while alluding to the time the circus was touring (1886 to 1903) so I made some modern changes like installing removable bra cups so I can wear it without the need for a chemise or combination.
Outline the construction…
Eventually I decided on a corset from 1901 from Norah Waugh’s Corsets and Crinolines (thank you Camden County Library). I wanted to reference the book instead of just photos because I’ve never created a historical pattern and am a bit of a perfectionist. Which at times, makes me second guess myself and stops me from just creating. Sadly, the book wasn’t available until January 11th , so time was not on my side. I love silhouette and it worked with my flat chest and “natural bustle” (wink wink). Also, around that point in the story Marco asks Celia to come away with him (swoon). They were bound to each other and this time they chose to be. Because of that I used my boyfriend’s hands as a template represent Marco. The embroidery in the sleeves and on the hands do not show to well at a glance and its intentional. The Night Circus is a place where if you don’t look closely enough you’re bound to miss something important. I kept the white basting stitches visible on the inside to hint at the delicate and secret way the circus is being held together under all the spectacle. Because I’m not of the circus but am an admirer I chose to make this in a scarlet moire fabric with a black coutil. It didn’t feel right to me to use black and white. I used spiral steel for full range of movement. After all this is a performance piece…sort of.
Great book! And this is really well executed! from start to finish, this is just beautiful!
Thank you so much!
I really like the sparkles on the corset! Such a minute but important detail!
Sparkles♡♡♡ Your corset looks lovely, and the attention to details is wonderful! Great job!
A really fun interpretation! I love the subtle embroidery. It’s a lovely touch.
This is such a fun get up, I could see this act in a night circus, and another book I need to add to my list based on your entry.
This is absolutely gorgeous and sparkly <3 And I love your thought behind having visible basting stitches in the inside!