So I took a look through some of my favorite images from the time and some made since and here are but a few...
This beautiful gown is now a musem piece, I love its feminine quality and way the fabric looks alive even when still.
I saw this lady when looking for hair ideas and instantly loved it, it's shabby and disheveled but still so beautifull.
The bloomer costume inspired me because it freed women making movement and day to day live more enjoyable.
But on the other hand the crinoline cages and bustles of the period amaze me and the thought of using them in other areas to create different shapes made me ponder.
And who could forget louboutin, even though thease Marrie Antoinette inspired shoes are not victorian in style I think they would complement my ideas perfectly...
SO TO THE ILLUSTRATIONS!
I started to draw a slightly elongated feminine shape thinking how big I wanted the skirt and shaping the waist.
Adding more details, the bloomer style pants came in as by this point I'm thinking of a grand stage show and how it would make it easier to move in. The skirt would be made of two layers. The bottom a crinoline cage covered in delicate silk but cut out arround the legs. The top layer, two silk covered bustles would line each hip to create a umberella effect.
Final touches, using a fine liner I went over everything and added the bows, frills and some last minute gloves. Then I used a berol pen, paint brush and water to great the washed look all over.
THE ACCESSORIES!
What great gown would be complete without great styling? I used all the same methods to create the same washed dark feel to the illustration.
Taking inspiration from louboutin ( for the shoes) and the jewels of Whitby as well as the Victorian mourning accessories. I have drawn thease, the pendant and earring I imagined to be carved in Whitby jet giving a luxurious shine accented with tiny diamonds for a real sparkle. The gloves, I would like them to be almost aged in there appearance with delicate embroidered fringe around the top and three simple buttons just for decoration.
