Isabella-inspired Gown

First, I want to thank Mr. Steve Solomon (whom is pictured next to me) for graciously sending me this image. I have several photos, but none that show the whole dress. So thank you.

So, this is my labor of love! The renaissance gown is inspired by the portrait of Isabella of Portugal painted by Titian. I modified it slightly - more or less for lack of time. My chemise IS gathered in two places up the arms but not like in the portrait, I haven't successfully made time to make a proper partlet and ruffs for both wrists and neck and the jewelry is different... and I'm wearing an ENGLISH tall hat instead of putting my hair in the spanish style... but I feel it all fits together well.

The outer gown is 8 yards (originally I bought 10 yards, but with scarps and some left over I would say I used 8 yards of it total) of damask silk I found on ebay (oh Ebay how I Love you). I hand beaded faux pearls all over the skirt, sleeves, and bodice. The center design on the front of the bodice also has small glass red and yellow beads accenting it but you can't see that here.

My brother is a wonderful wonderful person (go check out his photography [link] ) and bought the peachy/gold/red dupioni silk that lines the over sleeves for my birthday. And the gold underskirt is actually from my first ren. gown I ever made (quite the shameful piece of work now, but at the time I was rather proud of it) and has become the underskirt for another dress as well... repurposing helps save money.

The chemise I actually purchased, though I could have made it myself, from a woman off of Etsy (seller name: rjeblogue) along with a pair of lovely bloomers that I wear underneath. She was very reasonably priced - in face, so much so that it would have cost me just as much to buy all the materials to make my own when I could just buy it from her.

The necklace, bodice jewelry, and earrings I had specially ordered from dragonpipes.com (because I have no skill in jewelry making or knowledge, really). I HIGHLY recommend Chris' work, she is a wonderful artist and very helpful and quick!

The hat I purchased at faire this year to go with the dress! I am friends with the ladies that run that particular booth (more or less because they are falconers and I am currently trying to become one... it's good to have connections). The black snood I have my hair back in was also purchased at faire many many many years ago.

And the zibellini of "flea fur" on my shoulder (otherwise named "Sir Fuzzbutt") is part of an old mink stole that I 'upcycled' by adding a lovely piece of jewelry I just FOUND in my mothers button collection one day (amazingly it match the jewelry PERFECTLY which was quite astounding and pleasing!) and a gold chain.

I AM wearing stripped stockings, black china doll shoes, bloomers (as mentioned), chemise (as mentioned), hoopskirt and corset under all this - I didn't need the bumroll because all the hand cartridge-pleats stick the skirt up just fine... and it's not exactly the look I was going for anyway.

So I hope you enjoy, I really adore the dress and it was a total success at faire this year! I've never had so many photos taken, questions asked, and people assuming I was part of a guild (though I really should be, I know enough people). And my friends I brought with faire this year also enjoyed being bowed to every time we walked by.

As a last note. I do have lace and trim to add to the underskirt but I am waiting to see if I find some different gold fabric so as not to 'destroy' the underskirt that goes to other gowns of different colors.