Well, it’s that time and off to Paris we go!. It’s been a very long time since we’ve been here and there’s definitely some catching up to do…stay tuned for more details although it’s going to be about a week before we’re able to post anything major here. So Mssrs. Poiret and Worth, here we come! ♥
Things have changed a bit since the Exhibition Universelle of 1900….
Valentine’s Day is always a magic time for us here at Lily Absinthe- maybe it’s the shades of pink, maybe it’s the idea of love, or maybe it’s just an opportunity to reaffirm one’s commitment to others and in that spirit, we wish everyone a happy Valentine’s Day! ♥
One our most recent projects has been the development of a set of outerwear patterns, starting with a circa 1889 mantle based on period patterning methods. While we had excellent luck with the first prototype, we wanted to refine the design further, starting with a slightly larger wing collar. Also, we decided that adding cuffs would also make the design more interesting so we’ve also developed a pattern piece for those. Below are a few pictures of the base shell- we still need to add various trim:
Here’s a close-up of the collar:
We still have a ways to go before they’re finished but so far, it’s proven to be an excellent design that provides an excellent foundation for many refinements and variations. Stay tuned for more! 🙂
Wrapping things up – January is our Inventory Month, we just got the last load from last year’s move (not in frame) so now I can post pretty pictures again of our work…my Inner Luddite has been limiting my social media time until we finished all this! 🙂
As we dry out from the latest round of rainstorms, planning for our upcoming Parisian trip proceeds. We’ve managed to map out an itinerary of sorts and many museums are on the list. Unfortunately, the only museum that’s dedicated to fashion, the Galleria Palais is closed for major renovations. However, as a consolation, we will be visiting Musée Yves Saint Laurent Paris which is having a special exhibition of his 1965 Mondrian-inspired dress collection. 🙂
Another interesting museum we’re planning on visiting is the Musée de l’Orangerie, which houses artworks from many of the major impressionists painters. In particular, it houses Claude Monet’s Water Lilies (Nymphéas) which is actually a series of panels.
The Water Lilies- The Clouds
The Water Lilies- The Setting Sun
We’re especially looking forward to seeing this in person since Monet’s works and the Water Lilies in particular have always served as a major source of inspiration for many of our designs. 🙂 It’s going to be a bit overwhelming but we’re up for the challenge. Stay tuned for more!