Thanks to my good friend, Beth, I have pictures to share of this project!
This was another dress I made for Costume College this year. The theme of the evening on Thursday night was “Carmen Miranda,” but when I was watching You Were Never Lovelier a month or so before Costume College I knew I needed the fringey dress that his lead singer of Xavier Cugat’s band wore in one of the opening numbers. It just so happens to be on YouTube, so here it is (and now the song will be stuck in my head all day).
The dress and strap were made of fabrics in the stash. The fringe was bought on Etsy. I had an interesting time coming up with the pattern- it actually started life as two seperate patterns (one mid 1930s, one mid 1940), which were combined, draped, and completely altered to make it work to be similar to this design.
Here’s Beth and I at the party.
And, of course, since it was Carmen Miranda themed, I needed to add a turban! Stephanie posted a great image of Carmen Miranda with a butterfly turban, so I knew I needed one! It was made by draping swimwear fabric on a foam head block, then creating rings of quilt batting and covering them with the same fabric. The pointy bits were sewn to that shape then I added millinery wire to make them stand up. The glittery butterflies came from Ebay.
That wraps up all the projects I made for this year’s Costume College :) Many thanks again to Beth for the pictures!
Amanda Lee
August 27, 2012 at 10:06 am (12 years ago)You look wonderful! As soon as I saw this dress I thought of the one Lina wore in that film—definitely one of my all-time favorite looks. As always, you did a fantastic job :-)
Stephanie
August 27, 2012 at 1:13 pm (12 years ago)This outfit was so epic! :)
Qui
August 27, 2012 at 1:18 pm (12 years ago)Oh wow! That dress needs to be danced!! Very beautiful outfit :)
Janice
August 27, 2012 at 2:44 pm (12 years ago)I love the headpieces! Great work as always.
Jeanne aka VeraVenus
August 27, 2012 at 2:55 pm (12 years ago)love that YouTube clip…and I hope you danced in your fab outfit too. All that fringe in motion-wow!
Trudy Callan
August 27, 2012 at 3:48 pm (12 years ago)Breathtaking. I love the movement of this dress in the video.
Sandy (foofoogal)
August 27, 2012 at 4:48 pm (12 years ago)Wow, wow, wow. The hat is fabulous. Love the gown as well. Great job!
Fourth Daughter
August 27, 2012 at 5:11 pm (12 years ago)Love the swishiness of the fringing! That’s given me a DIY idea for a long boring grey skirt… now I just need to buy metres of fringing to cover it up!
Val
August 27, 2012 at 5:35 pm (12 years ago)Your turban and whole outfit was a showstopper at CoCo. We might need that in the Costume Exhibit next year, or at least a great big photo in the Caught on Camera display.
Val
Cherise
August 27, 2012 at 10:03 pm (12 years ago)Beautiful costume and that head piece is amazing! You’re so talented :)
PepperReed
August 28, 2012 at 6:24 pm (12 years ago)Gorgeous!!! I Love seeing all your creations.