Barefoot Duchessa

Georgiana is known mostly for the circus that was the Westminster Election of 1784 despite the fact that she was an experienced campaigner.  She, her mother and her sister were known to canvass in the Spencer-claimed, St Albans.  A lovely anecdote from one of the St Albans campaigns shows both how at ease Georgiana was with all classes and also why she appealed to so many.  While visiting a butcher (how ironic) to appeal for his vote she stepped out of her carriage and tore her shoe so much that it wouldn't stay on, to which she kicked it off and with a smile said, "I gladly serve my friends, even bare-footed."

Smooth as the silk (on her torn shoe), that duchess!

Museum Exhibition: Panniers, Stays and Jabots

I was lucky enough to be in Brussels this weekend, and even luckier still that their costume museum happened to be holding an exhibition on 18th-century clothing called, Panniers, Stays, and Jabots.  I was even luckier still when they told me I could take pictures (without flash, of course).  This naturally meant I went crazy taking as many pictures as I could for your viewing pleasure.  The quality isn't amazing but the clothing and their condition certainly is!

Just check out that gorgeous bow on the back!

Sparkly-edge sleeves

A purse, a familiar face, and a fan

The detail on some of the gentleman's clothing was fantastic

Polonaise

I had to wonder if the edging was original because of its pristine condition

Late 18th C shoes

Embroidered flower detail on the heel

These would slip on a delicate pair of heels to avoid muddying them

Perhaps my favorite garment in the show

A calash bonnet- a rare sight!

Ivory fan

I would buy a blouse like this now!

The back of said favorite dress

These fans needed labels so badly! A fan made entirely of feathers

Ostrich feather fan- again I need a date of origin so badly!

As if You Needed Advertising Louboutin!

The Christian Louboutin Fall lookbook is out and boy, does it look fab!  This season Louboutin has recreated great paintings from history to display these most fabulous of shoes.  Honestly, though, didn't they know we'd be drooling over them as it is?

The nod to the 18th century features a Boucher-like image.  I can't believe they actually found a model with enough meat on her face!  The result is photoshopped, but lovely all the same.

More after the jump (one is NSFW)

For Sale: Shoes!

Anyone going to Bonhams today?

Up on the auction block today is Sir Frederick Richmond's embroidery collection.  The former chairman of Debenhams was a big fan of historical embroidery and had quite the extensive and impressive collection.  Just check out the fabulous pair of shoes from the 1720's which is expected to fetch a mere £1,000 – 2,000 (I know you all have that just lying around).  Two other lots of interest are stomachers, one from 1720 and another from the mid-eighteenth century.  Be sure to click on those links because the stomachers are just gorgeous!  I would have loved to rock either one if I was a genteel lady of the era. 



Bonhams to Sell Ex-Debenhams Chairman Sir Frederick Richmond's Extensive Needlework Collection