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!

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!

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!!

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

The Palest Pink Pierrot-ette..Rococo Photo Shoot du Jour!

Dear Friends,
Here are two new images from the Rococo photo shoot I just finished.







credits are as follows:

model: Miss Anna Boman
mua, couture, styling, photography, hair: Kathleen Marie


These images will be available as prints in the coming months,
as well as the wig style and the one of a kind corset and French lace gown.
( all available at www.AntoinettesAtelier.com)

More photos still to come!

Enchanted Evenings,
K. Marie

Fine Art Fashion Prints Are Available! First set Special Edition!

Dear Friends,

FINALLY! I have prints available of one of my photo shoots!

The first edition is "Miss Aprella 'Lacroix et la Pompadour', a
loving tribute to one of my favourite french couture designers,
Christian Lacroix, and also to 18th century luminary, Madame de Pompadour.

The first five prints are being sold as a 'Special Edition' complete
with a Rococo hand painted frame in your choice of two colours.
( frame available is not the one pictured here).
The image is roughly 8x10, the frame, 9 x12.

These prints are printed using the finest printing process for fine art replication;
the giclee process. The inks are outstanding and archival, the paper
is equally as outstanding, being Somerset Velvet stock.

LIMITED availability..

Miss Aprella is Available Here.

Fleurishes!,

Kathleen

Haute Rococo du jour photo shoot, Limited Edition Fine Art Prints available!.. coming soon!

Dear Friends,

My absence from my blog, and also my email list is really quite sincere!
I promise!

I have been working on a gown that rivals all at the ball,
as well as a new Rococo Marie Antoinette photo shoot..

Just a few more days and soon things will start being revealed!
But as a bit of a chineur...
My concept sketches for the shoot..






Until Soon,

Kathleen