1885 day gown – stock item

 

Since after the WWI corsetry shoot  we still had the set living in the garage, I decide to use the opportunity to snap a few atmospheric shots of a  circa 1885 day dress in cotton from our stock.-a skirt with an asymmetric drapery and a bodice, both lined in cotton. It was about 2 sizes too big for me, but clever pinning and padding worked, to some extent . Would suit a corsetted size 14-16, with bodice closing at 34 inches, chest 40. sleeve 23 “, skirt length 41inches. here worn on a corset ( unlaced) and a bustle cage and a petticoat. It  will be available to purchase from our online store soon:-)

And in the meantime – enjoy the pictures – really happy how they turned out,  Lucas is really getting the hang of it now!

 

 

 credits – Clothing: Prior Attire

photography: Pitcheresque Imagery

 shoes: American Duchess

hair ( well, the fringe)- Wonderland wigs

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Steampunk Asylum, Lincoln, September 2013

   Our first Asylum. The biggest Steampunk event of the Year – and what an event it was! We were there mostly as traders, selling Steampunk and Victorian themed articles of clothing to fellow Steampunks – but we also managed to  go to the ball and take part in the Fashion show.

  We arrived on Friday,  staying in a hotel conveniently located just a few minutes walk from the centre of Lincoln. On arrival we had just about half an hour to  unpack and then deliver all our bits for the fashion show – almost across the street!

 The Fashion Show.

  Prior Attire  was participating in two parts of the show – first part was mostly historical costume – and here we showcased a 1877 poloniase ( modeled by lovely Jill) and a 1883 evening gown in pink silk ( modeled by Sandi) and 3  riding habits – 1785, 1810 and 1885 – forming a nice bridge with our Steampunk collection to be shown in the second part – The Steampunk Amazones. Lucas was drafted to do the commentary, so both of us were busy ! the habits were modeled by Anett, Adrienne and me.  you can view  the habits in this post

getting ready…

Sandi modeling our evening wear…

almst there – all of the models, some of them in Steampunk bits, some in historical habits . Natasha, Jill, Mercedes, Rogue, Anett and Adrianne. And Lucas, with all the pretty girls!

The show started – first the historical part…

1885 habit

then a quick change into the steampunk gear and the Amazones were parading on the catwalk

just before… girls having fun with props..

lots of fun….

 Alas, with me supervising the attire and modelling, and Lucas commentating, neither of us was able to take photos of the show:-(  but dont worry, you can see the collections here and here, and i will add the official pictures once they make their way over to me.

 I also regret not being able to take photo of the other designers  there were some truly spectacular  designs, clothes, hairdos etc around – very, very varied, and very very impressive!

 After the show, things were packed up, showed into the car – and we could at last relax – and more importantly, eat something! we found a fantastic little Mexican restaurant jut next to the venue, so without much ado we  got in and tucked in – and the food was amazing!

looks good, tastes even better – at Tequila’s

 not only the food was good – the music was superb and since we were the last customers, we even got to dance a couple of salsa tracks and a merengue – with some of the stuff joining in. i bet it must have looked pretty weird, Mr. Darcy spinning the Ringmistress around, but it was fun!

 Next day = the market! we were at Westgate centre, all set up by 10 and ready to trade .

fascinators and corsets on this side….

and skirts, bloomers and jackets on this….

 there were loads of interesting  stands and people around – and this time we did manage to take a few pictures!

Kate turned out sporting one of our skirts – customized with her own fabric to match the corset

After a very busy day we had just enough time to get back to the hotel, get changed and to head for the ball…

 the ball started with drinks and food, very welcome after all that work – but alas it disappointed on the dancing front. we did manage to find a few tunes on the dj’s list and  the name of the ball was saved by having a couple of slow waltzes – and a few couples did join us on the dance floor. alas, about 4 waltzes was all we had and after that music turned to bland pop and nobody danced at all. fortunately, the remaining entertainment was great -especially when the unmissable Professor Elemental appeared on the podium – the whole room vibrated with the rhythm of his chap-hop, and the lyrics were great. for those of you who haven’t had the pleasure yet – check his site…http://www.professorelemental.com/home

  Next day saw us trading in our Neobedouin guise ( thanks to Navigatrix for the pic!)

 and again,  we were busy chatting to all the folks, selling and buying things. alas, being stuck at the stall, we missed out on all the other events going  on in other places – the dirigible races, parades etc.

  Altogether, a smashing event – if you are interested in attending next year, her’s the link – http://steampunk.synthasite.com/

 and if you need clothing – well, the have put the remainder of the stock on ale in our etsy shop – have a browse!

Steampunk Stamford market 2013

Just back from a lovely event in Stamford –  we learnt about it quite late, when all the stalls were sold out, but since there was a cancellation on Thursday, we were invited to trade! it was a short notice, but since Stamford is only about 50 minutes drive from Bedford, we decided to take the opportunity to play:-)

 The event was organized by Lorna from Fell From Grace, and was held in a lovely town of Stamford – a historic town, all built in stone –  very, very pretty!

  There was quite a lot of Steampunk fun going on over the whole event, alas, since it was such a short notice for us, we had already committed to other plans. sill, we were happy to attend the market!

 The market was open to the public from 10 to 4.30, and was quite a busy little affair. There was a good turn out of the traders, with loads of interesting things, and there was a lot of entertainment going on on the stage, so  we were far from bored!

All ready at the stall-  and for today’s event I chose to wear my outfit from the Steampunk Travellers collection – the Conductrice – as t is both stylish and rather comfy! I also wore my Victorian Tavistock boots ( supplier: American Duchess) from the first time – and so was learning how to use my button hook !

 I had a quick look around the stalls before the public turned out –  lots of interesting things, lots of familiar faces – and a few new ones too!

love the clock bag!

both pics from a stall Pommygranit

 The trader and his lovely boxes – from Dodo Black Rainbow

Addixtion-designs team – plus Cpt.Bellinger temporarily absent from his stall….

and a lovely underbust in interesting fabric from the Addixtion..

 opposite us we had Handcrafted Leatherwork with a full range of leathery things! exciting!

 and next to us, lovely ladies from Ornamentology

Let us not forget the organizers – busy as always!

 and my own dear husband, intently gazing at the stage…

and on the stage we had several things happening = poetry and rapping, magic – and most exciting, competition! the best facial hair…

contestants debating tactics…

( the winner was Cpt.Bellinger, btw)

ther was a best Steampunk pet competition – won by Otto..

 and traditionally., Tea Duelling..

to add to all this excitement we had a terrible case of South Tottenham ( when the soggy biccy falls into the cleavage of the lady..). fortunately, there were a lot of volunteers ready to help…

 And there was the public –  and it must be said that at Steampunk events the public tends to be just as interesting as the rest of the performers – we had a few really lovely chats with interesting people!

 Here we met Navigatrix and Matt from Arcane Armoury

 outside, the two worlds mixed a bit more – and not a few people wandered inside, lured by the costumes and colorful, unusual things – many said that they have never heard of steampunk and that was their first contact – and that they enjoyed it immensely, liked the idea, the gear, the creativity and the ethos behind it – so there may be a few more fledgling steampunks in Stamford by now”

 And to boot it all, at the end of the day we were all treated to delicious scones!!!

  and me, as always,  managed to get a few pics snapped, to show off my new boots!

 and after last minute purchase of two Chinese parasols ( really, we grabbed the things as they were being packed and carried out of the hall)…

 we packed up and it was time to go home.

  I must admit i was a tad tired…

but happy with my own purchase – a prop for the photo shoot of our next collection, Steampunk Amazones – a lovely whip!

  And now, I think it is time for a glass of port and some rest! Hope you enjoyed the write up, many thanks to all the organizer and participant for a fantastic day!

Izabela PItcher, Prior Attire – and our Steampunk page:  Off The Rails

Victorian Commission

 

In February I was commissioned to work on a rather exciting project – a set of 7 Victorian dresses, ranging from late 1860 to 1885,  with a couple of sets of underwear.

 The  clothes will be used in a rather exciting venture – a set up photography studio where people can book a complete victorian make over – dress up in all the layers and have their photos taken by professional photographer, resulting in high quality photos of themselves transported into another century. What a cracking idea! 

 The budget limits and the target audience of the clothes  meant taking a few shortcuts and freedoms – the client, in order to save time and money suggested using an overlocker on the inside seams and edges; petticoats sport elasticated bands to fit most sizes. Corsets will be mostly purchased online – a few suitable vendors were recommended, where the client can get cheap corset that will result in approximately silhuette, and which woudl be easily replaced with wear and tear.

 after a few emails and sending over different pictures, I received a set of pictures I was to base the dresses on.  The pictures were to serve as  guidlines only: the aim was to reproduce the look  and the feel within the budget specified for each garment.

 I must say, that was a perfect solution for me – as it also allowed me to use my ideas and creativity – and in the end the client actually got a better deal out of it as i was using far more lace, nice buttons and quality trims etc simply because I enjoyed working with the items and was making sure they are pretty!

 Even before we have signed the contract for the frock, the client bought the first Victorian gown I have ever made – my mother’s outfit for my Victorian wedding:-)

Mother of the Bride outfit in silk brocade and taffeta

  We have arranged for the undergrments to be made first and then each month i would complete 2 or 3 gowns,.

  the first batch: the undergarments:

 bustle cages and pads ( 2 cages and 3 pads altogether):

steel boned bustle cages, decorated with lace

 

one of the pads

 

cotton petticoats – 2 flounced ones, one Natural Form era petticoat

2 flounced petticoats worn on the bustle cages

Natural Form slim petticoat with lace and pintucks, worn on a pad

The dresses were next.

1. a dress in green silk

inspiration photo…

the rendition – in green silk, detachable lace cuss and optional belt. size 14

 

2. A dress in black and gold silk

 

 

 

black silk satin, gold taffeta, gold antique braid. size 12, so could try it on!

3. A polonaise

polonaise – the client requested cream instead of navy, and lace

skirt in silk taffeta, with lace overlay, polonaise in cream silk brocade, size 14

 

back unbustled

 

or bustled up

 

4. a Natural Form era dress in ivory and navy

the inspiration

rendition – silk taffeta in ivory and blue, size 14

too big, but had to try it on!

 

5. 1885 walking dress

the inspiration

 

rendition_ silk velvet and ivory brocade with pink pattern. size 12

 

and the inevitable happened..

6. a dress in red velvet…

the inspiration

red velvet, cream moire skirt, white lace

 

7. the same dress, but in black velvet, size 18

black velvet, white satin skirt,

 

 

 As a freebie, ii enclosed 2 hats – two boaters and 2 visiting, flashier ones.

 the boaters:

 

 

  Altogether, a very iinteresting commission that was a pleasure to work on – the client is very happy and we are currently discussing a similar order, for children’s clothing, also Victorian – so there may be a follow up!

 

 The moment the studio starts thier Victorian make overs, will post a link here too:-)

 Hope you have enjoyed  lookign and the results of the work as much as i have enjoyed making them!

Steampunk Travellers Collection

 

 

 

 

  A few pics from our first steampunk collection, shot last autumn, at the Milton Keyness Museum. The collection was a first , but certainly not the last forray into the exotic world of Steampunk, and this one was inspired by  the notion of travel and exploration, plus  some great music from the famous steampunk group, Abney Park.

 I have published the articles on the inspirations and creation of the collection on The Wardrobe Unlockd site ( http://www.yourwardrobeunlockd.com/), so will keep this entry here just to the day of the shoot.

 

 Our team on the day: 

Photographers:

Jez, from http://jezbrownphotography.tumblr.com/

Paul, from http://www.shearsmockford.com/

 

 Lucas – my husband, amateur snapper:-)

  Stylist: hair and make up :Sarah from http://sarahsdoowopdos.wordpress.com/

Costumes – me! so prior Attire, though in this case the branch: https://www.facebook.com/OffTheRailsPriorAttireSteampunkBazaar?fref=ts

 Models, me,  Lizzy ( https://www.facebook.com/MissLillianLove)< Cathy Hay and Sarah in her double role as a stylist and a model.

 We had 7 characters to portray so it was a long day, fortunately, the venue, Transpiort Museum Hall was entirely at out own disposal – a perfect location for the shoot, so many thanks to MK museum!

 Let me introduce the travellers then::

 1. The English Huntress

Sarah sporting a tweed Edwardian corset, tweed skirt and bolero jacket

skirt on suspenders…

The Time traveller

Lizzy in silk Victoriana costume

just the corset and the skirt…

with added effects, Paul’s work!

 The Cyclist

Sarah in wool pantaloons, and silk corset

closer up…

 

The Omnibussiere…

wool skirt, corselette, jacket and a silk overskirt. all ready to sell some omnibus tickets!

with the Time traveller…

and after work, in my study…

The Colonial Explorer

Cathy in a cotton corset and a silk and lace skirt. nicknamed: Barbie on safari’.. lovely image by Jez

 The Neobedouin

Sultry Lizzy in linen pantaloons and kaftan tunic, with silk corset

Neobedouin and the Colonial explorer… up to no good no doubt

The Arctic Huntress

me sporting a corset with fur trimming, leatherette skirt and some weaponry:_0

close up!

 The Gypsy traveller..

Sarah in a linen blouse, linen corset and silk skirt… also sporting my Nubian scarf:-)

better view of the corset – with decorative lacing over a silk panel

 

  Many thanks to all the team!!!!

 

 Most of the items are now sold, i believe there is only 2 or three items remaining for sale – they are in my shop, among other steampunk merchandise https://www.etsy.com/shop/PriorAttire1?ref=si_shop