Outlander at the Paley

The Paley Center for Media has a wonderful exhibit on now, the Artistry of Outlander. A gallery full of costumes and set design, beautifully staged.

So much attention has been given to the Dior suit and the red dress, that the brilliance of the other costumes have been overshadowed. This is a close up look at the great detail involved in the making of these suits. I was really impressed by the men's costumes, the embroidery was fantastic. Of course it is all machine done, but so well it's a marvel.

Nice detail of  one of Bonny Prince C's suits.

It holds-up to close-up scrutiny.

As much as I liked the women's clothes the men's suits were remarkable. 

Gorgeous

This trim, on close inspection turned out to be the bars from hook and bar closures, sewn very close together! It is genius.

The back of the apothecary's coat, you only get  glimpses of it on screen. The rest of the of the embellishment is embroidery in nightmarish motifs.

All the dresses are there. The Dior suit, the red dress and the brown embroidered, banyans etc.
This exhibit runs through August 14. If you plan to be in the Los Angles area for Costume College, I'd put a trip to Beverly Hills on the agenda, about the only thing you can do in BH for free./https://media.paleycenter.org/

Ever Your Thimble Servant,
Miss Brilliantine

We Make an Impression(ism)

The weather was beautiful, Southern California in June can be cloudy, drizzly or 110. It's a toss up.

We all must have been very, very good because we got perfection. A beautiful blue sky with lofty clouds and a gentle breeze. The only hick-up was the loss of the croquet wickets. This year the team rivals of Temperance v. Drunkards had to make it a drinking contest, guess who won.

The ladies, hard by a fountain. Walter photo bombs them.

The light is amazing with the mountains in the deep background. Some people like the beach, I love a mountain 

The location is Rancho Camulos in Piru, the place where Helen Hunt Jackson stayed right before she wrote "Ramona". Yup, History.
This is an annual picnic, it's had a few locations, this is our fourth year at the Rancho, I think we have found our home.
Anyway, blah, blah, explanations. A picture is worth a thousand words. You can fill them in.

Paul and Niko, you guess which is which.

Boris bombs Doreen and Alan

Oh, Dow! Lorraine and Athene are tolerant.

Walter, Sheila put down those plates!

Cal and Rover, first timers but old friends.

Charles, pensive. Will it be gin punch or champagne next?

The Chief! Or as we like to call him "Angus McKilty"

We requireonly three things, eating, drinking and lounging.

Athene, pretty as a picture. She better be toasting me....

The gentlemen were adamant, they wanted to show off their bustles. Chuck is the only one horrified. Sigh

It's like you where there! Come out to So. Ca. next Spring and you will be.

Ever Your Thimble Servant,
Miss Brilliantine

I'm Behind My Time

I owe a post about the wonderful ball at Bath in the Assembly Rooms. I have to source the pictures because I took so few. In the mean time.... a project!
I have an annual picnic looming and need to get it together if I want a new dress. Trouble is too many options. I know, what a dilemma. This spotty cotton, that abstract floral, cotton organdy trim, pleats, flounces. UGH!
I think I've hit on the bodice detail, I love the look of the faux bolero.

She looks a little grim, but I love her lacey bolero front and my that hat!

Another version of the false lace front. I THINK it's lace.....

Pinned up, I think I'm liking it.

Full frontal 

The inspiration for the bottom half. A little swish, a little swag, a little drape. The usual.

This is all there is of this lace, so it will be mix and match. Slowly, slowly getting back the enthusiasm for bigger projects.
Ever Your Thimble Servant,
Miss Brilliantine