Dear Friends,
I was recently interviewed by Gothic Beauty magazine...It is now available for
pre-order here... GOTHIC BEAUTY.
In the interview I discuss my personal creative process, who my 'muses' are,
what it's like to work with international model and actress Aprella, alternative fashion and style 'before' Tim Burton, and who I am dying to work with in the future..
Plus there should be a beautiful pictorial editorial!!
Fleurishes,
Kathleen
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Fragonard at the Frick Collection!
Dear Friends,
I had the the lovely opportunity to visit the Frick museum last week for their
"Summer Night" event. Despite the fact that it was a sweltering 100 degrees
in NYC, I ventured into to Manhattan this special event.
From 6-9, the museum was open after hours, included dance performances, lectures, and plein air ( almost, in the fountain garden atrium) sketching!. Their new installation of Turkish inspired objets d'arte from
the court of Marie Antoinette was also a major factor of my sojurn down to all the delightfulness.
The Frick collection is housed in Mr Frick's NYC mansion , on east 70th and Madison. Located right on Central park, It was the great industrialist Henry Clay Frick's Manhattan maison.
As with many museums, photography, even without a flash, is strictly prohibited.
( which I learned quickly!)
Th highlight of the entire event, to my surprise, was not the "Turkish Tastes in the Court of Marie Antoinette" collection ( which was rather small, and consisted of painted armoire? doors belonging to Louis the xvi's brother Comte d' Artois,
and brass/ gold camel statues which once flanked Marie Antoinette's fireplace at Fountainbleu.
The highlight , beyond measure! was 4 things.
1- The Fragonard Room.
Ladies and Gents, really? Really? Really!!
Sublimely beautiful. BEAUTIFUL. Rococo grandeur at it's Absolute Best.
There are 4-6 HUGE oil painted panels, painted for Louis the vx's mistress Madame
Du Barry.
Enormous I say! One panel must have been 9 feet x 5 feet.
These panels cover the entire walls of this room.
I honestly wondered if these were original Fragonards'. I expected his work to be
smaller in scale, and in pastel...? I researched later, and yes, Friends...
They are orginal. Mr. Frick acquired these shortly before he died.
What a Gentleman, With What Taste!!
2- The Boucher Room
Painted a lovely tint of pale grayish blue-green, this room is also
resplendant in Rococo Majesty. Next time I go, I am bringing my Pantone colour
swatch book to match the walls. It's such an interesting wall colour choice.
Mrs. Frick originally had the Boucher panels in her 2nd floor sitting room. What a lucky lady!
3-
The dining room the with HUGE Gainsborough portraits.
Again, these portraits must be 9 feet tall at least.
They are unbelievably stunning.
My favourite was: The Honorable Frances Duncombe (blue dress)
( ** please note, on the Frick website, the honorable Frances Dracombe gainsborough
portrait is in the oval room. The second portrait, "Grace Dalrymple Elliott", is
not so large, but one of my personal favourites. She resides currently in the dining room)
4- An unexpected highlight.. The Rembrandt Self Portrait.
It is about 3.5 feet by 4.5 feet ( nice large scale!)
Although I have studied Rembrandt in several Art History classes, his work never
'called' to me. And probably because I was a-memorizing slides, b-looking at reproductions of his paintings in text books.
GO SEE THE REAL THING, Kids.
Your Art History teacher is not kidding when they say he was a MASTER.
Rembrandt's eyes had a depth of "life" I have NEVER seen in a painting.
( let alone rare in real life.. they were twinkling!)
His colours are extraordinairly profound. Yes, profound.
I read about a lost medium of the old masters Maroger tried his whole life to find
(hence "Maroger" medium). Looking at an original Rembrandt, I completely understand why.
Gorgeous and Substantial in an Ethereal Manner.
Most likely I will join the Frick Collective and become a Member, or Fellow...!
It is such a magical, beautiful place. I am for SURE going back when I have a bit more time.
I am so grateful I live close to the wealth of true art and culture that reside in NYC.
Please visit The Frick Collection for more information
regarding the paintings and history of a great man and his sublime art collection!
I had the the lovely opportunity to visit the Frick museum last week for their
"Summer Night" event. Despite the fact that it was a sweltering 100 degrees
in NYC, I ventured into to Manhattan this special event.
From 6-9, the museum was open after hours, included dance performances, lectures, and plein air ( almost, in the fountain garden atrium) sketching!. Their new installation of Turkish inspired objets d'arte from
the court of Marie Antoinette was also a major factor of my sojurn down to all the delightfulness.
The Frick collection is housed in Mr Frick's NYC mansion , on east 70th and Madison. Located right on Central park, It was the great industrialist Henry Clay Frick's Manhattan maison.
As with many museums, photography, even without a flash, is strictly prohibited.
( which I learned quickly!)
Th highlight of the entire event, to my surprise, was not the "Turkish Tastes in the Court of Marie Antoinette" collection ( which was rather small, and consisted of painted armoire? doors belonging to Louis the xvi's brother Comte d' Artois,
and brass/ gold camel statues which once flanked Marie Antoinette's fireplace at Fountainbleu.
The highlight , beyond measure! was 4 things.
1- The Fragonard Room.
Ladies and Gents, really? Really? Really!!
Sublimely beautiful. BEAUTIFUL. Rococo grandeur at it's Absolute Best.
There are 4-6 HUGE oil painted panels, painted for Louis the vx's mistress Madame
Du Barry.
Enormous I say! One panel must have been 9 feet x 5 feet.
These panels cover the entire walls of this room.
I honestly wondered if these were original Fragonards'. I expected his work to be
smaller in scale, and in pastel...? I researched later, and yes, Friends...
They are orginal. Mr. Frick acquired these shortly before he died.
What a Gentleman, With What Taste!!
2- The Boucher Room
Painted a lovely tint of pale grayish blue-green, this room is also
resplendant in Rococo Majesty. Next time I go, I am bringing my Pantone colour
swatch book to match the walls. It's such an interesting wall colour choice.
Mrs. Frick originally had the Boucher panels in her 2nd floor sitting room. What a lucky lady!
3-
The dining room the with HUGE Gainsborough portraits.
Again, these portraits must be 9 feet tall at least.
They are unbelievably stunning.
My favourite was: The Honorable Frances Duncombe (blue dress)
( ** please note, on the Frick website, the honorable Frances Dracombe gainsborough
portrait is in the oval room. The second portrait, "Grace Dalrymple Elliott", is
not so large, but one of my personal favourites. She resides currently in the dining room)
4- An unexpected highlight.. The Rembrandt Self Portrait.
It is about 3.5 feet by 4.5 feet ( nice large scale!)
Although I have studied Rembrandt in several Art History classes, his work never
'called' to me. And probably because I was a-memorizing slides, b-looking at reproductions of his paintings in text books.
GO SEE THE REAL THING, Kids.
Your Art History teacher is not kidding when they say he was a MASTER.
Rembrandt's eyes had a depth of "life" I have NEVER seen in a painting.
( let alone rare in real life.. they were twinkling!)
His colours are extraordinairly profound. Yes, profound.
I read about a lost medium of the old masters Maroger tried his whole life to find
(hence "Maroger" medium). Looking at an original Rembrandt, I completely understand why.
Gorgeous and Substantial in an Ethereal Manner.
Most likely I will join the Frick Collective and become a Member, or Fellow...!
It is such a magical, beautiful place. I am for SURE going back when I have a bit more time.
I am so grateful I live close to the wealth of true art and culture that reside in NYC.
Please visit The Frick Collection for more information
regarding the paintings and history of a great man and his sublime art collection!
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Fascinators! New Vintage Style Cocktail Hats with Veiling. Available NOW!
The lovely purple and burgundy "Le Ange Violet" Fascinator.
Chartreuse Cashmere and Plaid Fascinator with Corset Detail,
"Charlotte Sometimes".
Dear Friends,
In a creative vacation, I indulged in the art of making some vintage style
fascinators! I thought it would be a nice way to use some small pieces of some
of the gorgeous textile remnants I have accumulated over the years...
All of these little cocktail hats have the birdcage or russian veiling.
Some veiling is vintage where noted. ALL of these little perched pretties are
ONE OF A KIND! Hurry and grab 'em, they are unique in all the world!
'La Parisienne' Black tulle, metallic heavy lame, and petticoats!!Of course I should mention the lovely dress pictured above also..
"La Parisienne" is a 1950's style black lame ( this is the vintage heavy quality, not the flimsy Halloween variety!!) and tulle gown.
It has a fully boned bodice, built in net petticoat and is hemmed for horsehair.
The tulle overskirt is removeable, hence more variations on a theme.
Betsey Johnson would LOVE this dress!
'La Parisienne' is one of a kind. please visit HERE for further information,
pricing and sizing.
Monday, June 13, 2011
Rococo Couture! New! One of A Kind Designer Corset Gowns from Kathleen Marie Couture!
Dear Friends,
I have released 3 new gowns as of late.. All appearing in the Antoinette's Atelier Etsy store..
The Fleur De Lys:
A stunning antique gold damask corset gown with festoons of tulle and velvet ribbons!
The Red Velvet Pouff:
A beautiful corset style gown with bustle back,
made from'taffeta changeant' with hints of plum and dusty pink,
antique red velvet ribbons, and red velvet bow.
The Rococo Pierrot:
Another corset style gown with a tulle bustle back,
made from 'taffeta changeant' with hints of taupe and dusty pink,
antique style black and pink Chantilly lace with a Rococo pattern,
dusty pink ribbons abound the lace up back.
Remember, these corset gowns are all handmade, One Of A Kind, and completely original and unique!
Vive Le Rococo Couture!
I have released 3 new gowns as of late.. All appearing in the Antoinette's Atelier Etsy store..
The Fleur De Lys:
A stunning antique gold damask corset gown with festoons of tulle and velvet ribbons!
The Red Velvet Pouff:
A beautiful corset style gown with bustle back,
made from'taffeta changeant' with hints of plum and dusty pink,
antique red velvet ribbons, and red velvet bow.
The Rococo Pierrot:
Another corset style gown with a tulle bustle back,
made from 'taffeta changeant' with hints of taupe and dusty pink,
antique style black and pink Chantilly lace with a Rococo pattern,
dusty pink ribbons abound the lace up back.
Remember, these corset gowns are all handmade, One Of A Kind, and completely original and unique!
Vive Le Rococo Couture!
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
New Rococo Wig! Spring Cleaning with Kathleen Marie!
Dear Friends,
Every once in a while I put wigs on ebay.. As I clean out the studio, and get stock
ready for fall and Halloween orders...
So, guess what...?
An auction for a "La Devonshire" powdered wig on Ebay!
These normally sell for $399.95, but the auction is started
at less than half that!
The Auction is Here!
Hurry, it's only up for a few more days!
( please note, mini tricorn hat not included, but can be made custom)
Good Luck!
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Diary of a Dress..PT 2 Kathleen Marie Couture's John Galliano~Christian Dior Couture Tribute Gown
Dear Friends,
I have tried to document the process of making a masterpiece!
This gown is dedicated to John Galliano and the House of Dior... He was such a huge inspiration to me as an artist and designer.
Inspiration: Dior, my ballet pink portieres from my new studio, Haute Couture
and the grandeur there of...
As seen in the previous post, I sketched a facsimile,
of the silhouette I was hoping to create.
As you can see by the sketch, the gown has a corset style bodice with ornamentation,
full tulle skirt, and sleeves.
I then added miscellanous styling details...
( please refer back if you need to).
Now, On With The Show!!!
Figure 1- Assistants and Support Crew!
You MUST have the right assistants. This is imperative! The have to be loyal, supportive,
sweet, yet independent. Please meet my two assistants. ( who are anxious to get started!)
left- Mr. P right- Princess Lulu
Figure 2- The right materials!
I like to stockpile materials. Like ammo. Its your best weapon against mediocrity.
I find it helps negate that 'contrived' feeling, that you can always pick out in
mass market gowns, and even at NYC fashion week shows!
This is HAUTE COUTURE Hudson Valley Style, so let's Bring It!
1- Vintage French velvet ribbon in red and redder
2- Vintage 'antique satin' in dusty peach pink. These were old 'portieres' ( draperies)
and I washed and distressed the fabric
3-Black medium weight 'siri' woven interfacing. Great for backing and supporting fabrics for more body and strength.
4-White medium/heavy weight 'haroform' woven interfacing. Very stable, sized interfacing. Again, great for structure and support, esp of corset style bodices.
5-Netting. Stiff 'diamond' net. I ended up using an entire ROLL of this for the petticoat, which I pleated.
6- French Alencon Re-Embroidered Lace, re-embroidered and beaded. With a touch of
gorgeous ballet pink to it. For ornamentation
Not pictured- My 3 bolts of tulle for the over skirt, and the dusty pink Bengaline
I used as the petticoat.
Figure 3- Pleats Please.
Pleating the Petticoat. Since I wanted an 18th century pannier style fullness,
I did not place ruffles all around the petticoat. I focused the volume on the sides.
Figure 4- I Stand Alone Amongst My Contemporaries.
Yes, The petticoat has around 50 yards of ruffles. And Yes, It stands up by itself !!!
Coming soon... Part 3 Diary of a Dress with Kathleen Marie Couture!!
I have tried to document the process of making a masterpiece!
This gown is dedicated to John Galliano and the House of Dior... He was such a huge inspiration to me as an artist and designer.
Inspiration: Dior, my ballet pink portieres from my new studio, Haute Couture
and the grandeur there of...
As seen in the previous post, I sketched a facsimile,
of the silhouette I was hoping to create.
As you can see by the sketch, the gown has a corset style bodice with ornamentation,
full tulle skirt, and sleeves.
I then added miscellanous styling details...
( please refer back if you need to).
Now, On With The Show!!!
Figure 1- Assistants and Support Crew!
You MUST have the right assistants. This is imperative! The have to be loyal, supportive,
sweet, yet independent. Please meet my two assistants. ( who are anxious to get started!)
left- Mr. P right- Princess Lulu
Figure 2- The right materials!
I like to stockpile materials. Like ammo. Its your best weapon against mediocrity.
I find it helps negate that 'contrived' feeling, that you can always pick out in
mass market gowns, and even at NYC fashion week shows!
This is HAUTE COUTURE Hudson Valley Style, so let's Bring It!
1- Vintage French velvet ribbon in red and redder
2- Vintage 'antique satin' in dusty peach pink. These were old 'portieres' ( draperies)
and I washed and distressed the fabric
3-Black medium weight 'siri' woven interfacing. Great for backing and supporting fabrics for more body and strength.
4-White medium/heavy weight 'haroform' woven interfacing. Very stable, sized interfacing. Again, great for structure and support, esp of corset style bodices.
5-Netting. Stiff 'diamond' net. I ended up using an entire ROLL of this for the petticoat, which I pleated.
6- French Alencon Re-Embroidered Lace, re-embroidered and beaded. With a touch of
gorgeous ballet pink to it. For ornamentation
Not pictured- My 3 bolts of tulle for the over skirt, and the dusty pink Bengaline
I used as the petticoat.
Figure 3- Pleats Please.
Pleating the Petticoat. Since I wanted an 18th century pannier style fullness,
I did not place ruffles all around the petticoat. I focused the volume on the sides.
Figure 4- I Stand Alone Amongst My Contemporaries.
Yes, The petticoat has around 50 yards of ruffles. And Yes, It stands up by itself !!!
Coming soon... Part 3 Diary of a Dress with Kathleen Marie Couture!!
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Diary of a Dress.. Kathleen Marie Couture's John Galliano~Christian Dior Couture Tribute Gown
Dear Friends,
In accordance with John Galliano's departure from French Couture House, Christian Dior,
I have dedicated the gown I was working on at the time to him.
Galliano was SUCH a huge inspiration to me as an artist and designer.His reoccurring French revoutionary themes in his shows, his lavish masterpiece theatre couture theatrics, just marvelousness upon marvelousness!
With the departure of three of the greatest designers in fashion in last few years,
( Christian Lacroix, Alexander McQueen, and John Galliano)
it really makes one wonder about the next realm? Or if there is even one worth mentioning?
That said, here are the illustrations of my "Le Dior est Morte!Vive Dior!" gown.
I will post pictures of part of the process as well, as it is always so interesting
to see the process of creation.
ps: I recently came across "Christian Dior" roses! Apparently these fragrant red roses (named for the original Christian Dior), debuted in the 1950's. Of course I promptly bought all in stock and will be planting these beauties in my ever growing rose garden!
Fleurishes!
Kathleen
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