A stroll around town

We are pleased to introduce some of our most recent everyday wear for the ladies of the18th century.

I know we all enjoy balls and elegant days at the court but sometimes it's nice to dress down a bit while retaining our high sense of style, of course, and just go for a stroll in town, travel by carriage between chateaux or go riding...

With those occasions in mind we have designed some new outfits, all with different occasions in mind. A smart Redingote in green silk perfect for just going for a stroll or to go horse riding in style, it includes a side saddle riding skirt and a hat in complementary colour.

Two everyday outfits featuring a Caraco and matching Jupe: a flowery patterned one perfect to go to the market with a matching cotton bonnet and decorated with pretty ribbons and a black Caraco with a removable hood (two positions) ideal for those long carriage journeys. 

Also we have added a simple open robe in bright colours perfect for sunny mornings and garden strolls, just before Winter comes!

We hope you like them!

Mau Delarosa

The Grand Tour preview

I've been working for a while on a new collection inspired by the Grand Tour. I have always admired the intrepid nineteenth century character, and wondered how these adventurous ladies managed to travel around in all sorts of vehicles and endure perilous crossings while wearing a bustle and retaining perfect hair-dos! So, it is in their honour that this collection has been born...a set of gowns for traveling in style. Only two at a time I'm afraid... more soon!

...for the little ones

What is it they say...never work with animals and children! Oh well, our gorgeous little model behaved quite well considering the length of the shoot, after all she can look quite cute when she wants too. So, after a couple of tantrums and some mischievious tricks we managed to get a few shots to use for our latest creations.

Introducing 'Le Petit Grenier' a range of clothing specially created with the little ones in mind. You may know all of our clothes include a resize script to adjust to a great variety of sizes, making them suitable for children too. However after a special request by one of our clients, I have decided to create some items in childrens' sizes, starting with these two redingotes (they both include two riding skirts for side saddle and straddle riding). Although children in the 18th century wore pretty much adapted versions of adult clothing, in centuries to come the differences became progressively more distinguishable... expect more soon :)

A good hair day

I get asked frequently about the hair portrayed in my clothing pictures... all ladies enjoying living in period sims know how hard it is to find good natural hair that resembles the period one is role playing in, almost as hard as it is to squeeze it underneath those lovely hats!

So here it is, a short list (in no particular order) of various designers I use frequently and their creations, even though most of them are not purposely antique in style I think they can work well... sometimes with a tiny bit of modifying... my apologies to the designers :)

1. "Missi" Darks and "Nicky" Black by Zero Stlyle. Non-flexi but they do have a beautiful shine, i have used "Missi" with 16th century gowns and it works very well, if you add a little bit of jewellery like a small crown or some pearls it really adds the feel of an antique hairdo. "Nicky" works well with Victorian dresses, it feels a bit more modern but it looks great with small front tilted hats that let the back of the hairdo exposed.

2. Aura "Princess Hair" by Aura & SG. Princess hair what else can I add...works well with big style of gowns, think crinoline lady and American Civil War, after all you need to add some weight to the skirts to compensate ;) I have however worn it with my Edwardian Ballgown and although it may not be the most accurate hair style for the time it looked very smart. ( A confession... not shown in the picture, but for my own use I have moved the fringe to one side...Victorians weren't that big on fringes)

3. Double Pigtails Braids by Curio. I particularly find the braids look really nice with some of my more "modern" Victorian clothing, from the natural period (think Renoir and Monet paintings). But it probably works just as well with the crinoline skirts. I have also used it with my Victorian Bathing suit, so sweet with the braids showing under the bathing cap. (ehem...confession again... I have a modified version where I took away the fringe...maybe it's just my personal obsession)
4. Trully and purposedly Victorian is "Cathy" by Curl up & Dye Salon. Too elaborate for some of my favourite simple day dresses but it works divinely with ball gowns and bigger skirts. It really looks the part, nothing to modify on this one ;) ... only perhaps I wished the curls were flexi.

5. On the left "Victorian Beehive DK" by M. Discovolante, a Victorian extravaganza, lovely and very different, almost impossible to hide under a hat though...On the right "b-Isabella Wig" by Arundel Design, all the curls are flexi and it really was a bargain! I find it works really well with 17th century clothing, it has a very similar look to some of the hairdos portrayed in the 1660's, but it could equally work with some Victorian gowns.

6. Kaori Brown by H2L...not really period I know but sometimes you do want to let your hair down and "Kaori" is very flattering and hasflexi elements in it so it doesn't feel completely stiff over the shoulder.

I do believe there are lots of wonderful hair designers out there and although sometimes it seems like a bit of a struggle to find a suitable hairdo for certain periods (Elizabethan is a really hard one, at least so that it looks nice...) I would say all you have to do is try and dress it up with antique accessories, the combination of items will make the hair look more authentic. Now go and have a lovely hair day :)

*UPDATE ...where to find these hairdos:

H2L , Zero Style , Curio , Aura & SG , Curl Up & Dye , Arundel Design , Caledon Littiwickshire Dicovolante 

the sun has come out...

...hide under your parasol!

It's Springtime the season of love, romance...allergies and extra freckles! ah the horror the horror! Fear no more, we have just what you need, introducing our new parasol with AO. You can carry it closed and just walk around in style or use it to protect yourself from the oh so harmful sun rays. Opens and closes just by touching it.

Please feel free to visit our main store and try the animation!