inspiration brighton!

a recent trip to brighton hunting for treasures, unicorn cushions anyone? the brightly painted terraced houses are like sweet jars, who knows what sort of artists hide inside them. brighton is a haven for handmade, antique and vintage. the old framed book plates of butterflies and birds make me want to tear up all my old books and make them into art for my walls. brighton is going to be regular secret day trip for me from now on, its a stones throw from london and there is so much inspiration hidden in its corners.

eugene onegin costume

My handmade costume based on an original 1954 Motley design for Sadler's Wells: a singer for the opera Eugene Onegin. Made with midnight blue cotton velvet with silk velvet piping and buttons. It has hand made lace at neck edge (handmade by a lovely lady in Peru, bless the peruvians!), gigot sleeves with satin under sleeve, copper silk dupion belt and cuffs and pearl beadwork on bodice. The dress was based on an original 1830s pattern (although you can see the 1950s sweetheart neckline influence!) complete with handmade undergarments: a steel crinoline, quilted petticoat, and corded and quilted corset based on original 1840s corset.

spring

the cloth house spring window display

lace rag scarf

corsets

handmade corset based on original 18th century pattern

crinoline

some current work going on in the costume studio