FOUNDATIONS REVEALED COMPETITION ENTRY
The Shepherdess
(click images to to enlarge)
Other Credits
Zelia Laborde
Outline the story …
When I read about the theme for this year’s competition, I thought of The Shepherdess and the Chimney Sweep by Hans Christian Andersen. I read the fairy tale as a child, and the idea of animated china figurines who came to life when no one was around, was and still is appealing even in our day and age. One can think of a Toy Story, but set in the 19th century where the tale follows two lovers on the run (a porcelain Shepherdess and a Chimney Sweep) as they attempt to flee the grasps of a mahogany satyr, who wants to marry the Shepherdess.
As I read on and studied the original illustrations by Vilhelm Pedersen, I found that he depicted the Shepherdess in 18th century clothing. I examined works by François Boucher and his idealized representation of everyday fashion from this particular era along with its pastoral paintings and studied what everyday dress looked like from a historical point of view. I decided to use these various sources to explore the various meanings of the different layers, shapes and materials used. I noticed an inclination for such techniques in the paintings and the use of symbolic references (roses, sheer fabrics ) as a romanticized vision of France, which seemed to fit the depiction of the character in the tale.
I had originally planned six pieces for the costume. I managed to get most of the pieces done on time, except for a bodice.
Outline the construction…
I machine-sewed the side seams and then I hand-stitched the rest of the pieces. I used cotton and linen as the primary material for this project, since I wanted to give an 18th century feel to the textiles and colours; but I also tried to recycle fabrics I had.
The construction of the shift was easy, once I had figured out how to set the gores and gussets with the help of Mariah Pattie’s tutorial “Formulas to Draft a Shift Pattern from Your Own Measurements”.
The most challenging part were the stays. I made a mock-up, drew a pattern and hoped for the best. They are made of coutil as the base layer and viscose as the fashion layer. The channels are machine-sewed, but the binding is stitched by hand.
For the petticoats, I used the American Duchess tutorial (which can be found on their website) for the construction and hemmed them by hand. The first petticoat is a blue striped linen, gathered into a waistband and the second one is a beige poplin, knife pleated and tied with silk ribbons.
I used an additional petticoat I found in a flea market to give more shape to the skirts and a hand-sewed linen shift as the base layer (in the final pictures, the shift was replaced by a tank top with the straps tucked in). The 18th century inspired shift was used as the outer layer, as I saw examples while doing my research on pastoral paintings.
This is so beautiful 😍
Thanks!
The whole ensemble is just like a real life painting, I love it!
I agree wholeheartedly. A perfect outfit. It’s like a painting.
Thanks! It was really fun to put all the elements together and playing with the light in order to give that painting feeling. I’m happy it shows!
This is way past beginner level. It’s absolutely gorgeous….well done!
Thanks!
The photography is scrumptious, for starters. Like a painting. The outfit is also stunning, delicate and painstaking. Best of luck x
like a Bouguereau painting! Beautiful!
Setting up the light to give this feeling was a very interesting part of taking pictures! thanks!
I love how you put in so much attention to detail. Every piece looks very well made, and the work well together to bring the story to life. The pictures are beautiful, and I don’t miss a bodice at all!
Gorgeous dress, I love the color combinations. The stays look so great!
Gorgeous! Pastoral painting, indeed! Lovely colour choices and beautiful fabric. Inspiring.
Stepped right out of a painting just lovely!
Striking likeness to 18th century porcelain figures. (Joachim Kaendler-Meissen). Wonderful job on the stays binding. I hope you get a chance to make your bodice or jacket. Excellent work.
the textures are really nice and the cap is a great touch too
Lovely! And a favourite story of mine too.
Each piece is beautifully executed, and the whole gives a perfect impression of those pastoral paintings. The delicate colors are so evocative of the porcelain figure of the story. Lovely work!
Gorgeous work! Your stays especially are a work of art!
Beautiful job on your project!! Also, I must say, the lighting and quality of your photos is stellar, as well!
Those stays…wow! I love them! The shift is spot on and the petticoats are fantastic! Thank you so much!
This is so beautiful! The stays look great! It´s really fitting for a shepherdess, I especially like the rose, it´s a nice little detail.
Beautiful outfit design and stunning presentation 🙂
I love the design you created – it looks relatively simple with some details that really stand out – you’ve done an amazing job with the whole ensemble! I love the stays and petticoats in particular