Last year
Fernanda contacted me that she needed a special dress for her beach wedding. She
wanted something with an open back and that had the nude gown look. As if you are
just wearing a lace dress with nothing underneath.
For a dress
like this the fabric makes the dress. So we ordered a lovely lace from a store
in the UK. We (or rather I) had a little stress with all the Brexit talk, but Brexit
got postponed and I got my fabric in time.
Underneath
the lace sits a skin colored fabric. The lace has little insets with tule.
This dress was unlike anything I had ever made before but I really love it, and I hope you do too.
Salon de la Societe Raffinee, picture by Bart Kools
This autumn we were attending Salon de la Societé raffinee. Organised by my dear friend Shari. A Salon is an event where a Salonière introduces artists to the guests. A place to socialise with friends and imagin that you live in the 18th century. I was honored to be one of the artists who got to display the art of Skeletons in the Closet
For this event I decided to make a new costume for my Husband. Maarten has been looking at an historical example of an 18th century costume and would have loved to have a costume like that. So we decided to give it a try.
Salon de la Societe Raffinee, picture by Bart Kools
The 18th century is an era beyond my comfort zone, so this was quite a challenge. This costume had a lot of pieces. A white cotton underskirt. A cotton cravat. Black cotton breeches. An embroidered silk vest and an embroidered green and silver frock coat.
In order to make this project I have purchased an embroidery machine. Via Etsy I bought an embroidery pattern from Art Embroidery designs, Lubia makes the most wonderful historical patterns for embroidery machines! This gives your 18th century projects a real historical look.
Salon de la Societe Raffinee, picture by Bart Kools
We started from the bottom up, I always work like this. Because if you wear layered clothing it is good to fit each layer over each other, so you don’t get a coat that only fits over a t-shirt but not over a blouse with vest.
Salon de la Societe Raffinee, picture by Bart Kools
The outfit took a total of 50 hours to make. Although the machine does most of the embroidery you have to stay with it. Especially for the vest where the embroidery had 9 different colors.
The Husband did most of the embroidery by himself while I was sewing away on the rest of the outfit.
Salon de la Societe Raffinee, picture by Lux Immortalis
For myself I made a 18th century fantasy dress. This dress is not historically accurate.
The dress is made out of silk, and has an beaded and embroidered stomacher.
If after seeing these garments you would like to discuss a custom gown or suit, feel free to contact me using our contact form.
Here is also a picture of our booth at the Salon.
Salon de la Societe Raffinee, picture by Bart Kools
This Easter I had to opportunity to do a photoshoot with Angela Dekens from Little Owls.
I have had my Hithfaereth gown for a year now and never had the time to take proper pictures with me in it. So when there was an opening to shoot with Angela, I decided to go for it. We went to a forest close by called Beetsterzwaag. Angela and her partner showed up with 4 owls in tow to shoot with. I got to put on a leather glove and a little owl was set on my arm.
Something I did not expect was that the owls love to cuddle and are actually quite vocal. They also see everything, from other birds to little mice on the ground. It makes for quite tricky posing. They always look at what they find interesting, and that might not always be the lens.
First up was little Norna. She was so cute! A lovely little Northern White-faced owl that just loved to talk. She has a little moustache that moves when she talks. She is quite excited about everything.
Next was Lea. Lea is probably the most famous of the little owls. She is a churchowl and so pretty and soft. She is also quite cuddly and very well behaved. Angela told me she even flys in wedding rings at ceremonies. Sadly I am already married. ?
We also played around a little with a smokebomb in purple, that matched the gown perfectly.
Next was quite a grumpy sir. Mr Bjorn. Bjorn is an African Oehoe. And although he is quite sweet, he can look quite stern. I love this shot since we both are looking out of the lake, making it a dreamy visage.
Last was Dailah, a Bengal Oehoe. Now to be completely honest, although I have met Dailah before at Imaginairium, he does intimidate me quite a bit. It is probably the eyes, and the large claws. However he is beautiful. So a picture with him was a must.
Shooting with the little owls was quite an experience. Angela was great in keeping me at ease and the owls are well trained.
The gown I am wearing is the Hithfaereth gown. More about this gown can be found in this blog post
The Jessica Rabbit dress as seen in the movie “Who Framed Roger Rabbit”
I made this dress for the lovely Saskia Lillith, a fellow tightlacer. I have made a corset for Saskia before and we spoke about making her something with a flair of drama. The epic curves on Jessica Rabbit will look amazing on Saskia.
The dress is made out of a sequin fabric. This fabric has a lovely sparkle and twinkle in any light. If you follow me on Instagram you may have seen some twinkles in my stories.
The dress has a build in corset counting 23 steel bones. The dress is also fully lined and the lacing at the back is hidden underneath the outer fabric.
The core is made with satin coutil, this because it is really strong and at the same time not bulky. Hiding the line where the corset ends as good as possible.
If you see Saskia at the Dutch Comic Con, do tell her how beautiful she looks!
Last december I was contacted by my friend Stephanie if I wanted to participate for a shoot with the theme “Lovers”
She was able to borrow some awesome Mohawks from Pioro Blue, and needed some dresses to go with it. Luckely I had something in the same shades lying around.
So on a cold december day, we went to the Hague and shot these beauties. We send them to Gothic And Amazing Magazine and they were published in the februari love edition.
Lovers: Corsets and Gown by Skeletons in the Closet Mohawk by Pioro Blue Models Stephanie Winter and Helena Lush, Photographer: Sanne van Bergenhenegouwen Mua Iris Makeup
Stephanie is wearing our black velvet gown with a green silk corded underbust corset.
Helena Lush is wearing our beatle wing gown.
Lovers: Corsets and Gown by Skeletons in the Closet Mohawk by Pioro Blue Models Stephanie Winter and Helena Lush, Photographer: Sanne van Bergenhenegouwen Mua Iris Makeup
Lovers: Corsets and Gown by Skeletons in the Closet Mohawk by Pioro Blue Models Stephanie Winter and Helena Lush, Photographer: Sanne van Bergenhenegouwen Mua Iris Makeup
Did this shoot inspire you to have your own custom gown made. Please contact me!
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