I have never actually been to a proper Halloween Party, but this year we were seduced into attempting one. Admittedly most of the seduction was done by the location – we have been to Gosfield Hall before, to shoot our Summer Bride collection last year – and loved it! So the tickets were bought, and since it was Lucas’ birthday on the 1st, I treated us, as a surprise, to securing the sumptuous Bridal Suite for our stay.
And with a venue like that and lodgings dripping with gold, I obviously needed suitably splendid attire….
Fortunately I had a cunning plan – I have designed the Batdress several months ago, a spur of the moment thing, and then was lucky enough to get a bargain fabric – 15m of crushed silk velvet – useless for historical outfits, but perfect for a bit of Halloween fancy dress.
The original sketch,
and a work in progress sketch – yep, that’s how I make skirts and gauge how much fabric to use…
the foundations first – a cage crinoline, mid Victorian design, and a muslin petticoat from one of our bridal frocks….
then the skirt….
The corset was a bit of a challenge – because it was to be worn over a crinoline and not underneath, it had to be much shorter, allowing for the skirts to billow up. As a result, it turned out to be a surprisingly comfortable wear:-)
The corset used plain coutil as a strength layer, tape castings for channels and cotton for lining. Decoration – silver and black lace appliques, silver thread flossing and red beads.
insides before fitting in the lining
close up of the lace
decoration complete
The overskirt/wings were made of the same fabric and lined with faux duponi silk from James Hare – and boned with thin metal flat steel.
other accessories included these..
Once the dress was done, I have 6 hours to make something more before we hit the road – and in a mad rush I made another corset, satin and calico , with lace and silk tulle decoration:-), styled for a Bridal vampiric look…
The plan was to arrive early and shoot the bridal stuff first, then change and have fun in the Bat dress. alas, we underestimated the traffic – Friday, end of half term, halloween – we were stuck on the motorway for much too long. as a result, we arrived in time to get ready, but not to shoot the bridal stuff – that will have to be done the following morning!
We were surprised , very pleasantly, by a nice card and a bottle of white wine awaiting us in the suite – a present from our friend Eleanor, who was also attending the party! 🙂
not a good picture, but captures the grin… and the room….
Before the party a girl needs to relax – a bath and a face mask was in order. Lucas did have a bit of a shock when i joked I could go to the party wearing this….
but at last the clothes were on, make up and hair was done and we could take a few pictures….
The event was very atmospheric – an amazing singer in one room, roast boar dinner and a cobweb covered pianist playing tunes from the Phantom of the Opera in the other, fireworks outside – amazing!
apart from relaxing, eating and enjoying ourselves, we did take more pictures at the end of the night….
Batdress in its full glory
and one from the end of the night…. corset undone, hair loose – and yet it worked too 🙂
as to the question i was asked a few times at the party – how do you go to the loo in that?
well, the answer is simple – wear split drawers ( or none….) and go in forward….
In the morning we got up early and shot the Dracula’s bride styling – corset with lace, with a scrap of lace as a headdress, my bridal veil and a silk chiffon skirt….
nom nom nom
we were having so much fun we almost missed breakfast – as a result i rushed downstairs half dressed – don’t think many people minded though – the corset looked great with jeans too!
I must admit I loved wearing the Batdress – but it was a one off and is going to be put on sale ( though not before we shoot it somewhere else – the original idea was a forest or a cemetery), just like the bridal corset – no doubt next year I will come up with a different kit: – )
hope you enjoyed the madness – we did, and are planning more Halloween outings in the future!
A Damsel in This Dress 