tHE COURT OF JEWELS
I wanted a scene that epitomized the show title and these two slightly odd Doll Chateau ball jointed dolls seemed right for the King and Queen of it all. They wear draped outfits of richly beaded fabrics. The King’s skirt is metal mesh, the Queen’s halter a bit of shaped trim.
The King holds a scepter made from the end of a curtain rod. The Queen’s orb is a Christmas ball and findings. The teester that holds all the beads and drapes is a Syroco spoon planter turned upside down. The back piece that carries the teester is a piece of foam core nailed on a footed wooden frame that my neighbor helped me construct. The throne itself was constructed of wood shelves covered in glitzy fabric, PVC pipes, knick-knacks and Christmas decorations. The bubble vases are filled with yards of molded string beads.
The King holds a scepter made from the end of a curtain rod. The Queen’s orb is a Christmas ball and findings. The teester that holds all the beads and drapes is a Syroco spoon planter turned upside down. The back piece that carries the teester is a piece of foam core nailed on a footed wooden frame that my neighbor helped me construct. The throne itself was constructed of wood shelves covered in glitzy fabric, PVC pipes, knick-knacks and Christmas decorations. The bubble vases are filled with yards of molded string beads.
|
|
|
|
CRYSTAL RHINESTONE AND PEACOCK JEWELS
|
|
In 2020 I had the opportunity to purchase two amazingly sculpted mannequins that had once been part of The Phantom of the Opera when it was in residence at the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas. These mannequins along with about 60 others were originally dressed in authentic Victorian costumes and occupied opera boxes on the sides of the theatre above the live audience. Rae Bradbury-Enslin, a costuming friend in New England, cleaned and repaired these ladies, and I further enhanced their makeup. I decided they were sisters and named them Dolly and Josephine Corsette because of their hourglass Victorian figures.
Josephine is a vision in glitz, wearing a corset embellished in crystals and a skirt of embroidered silver sequins draped over with dripping rhinestone trim. Her shoulder and hip drapes are sequin table runners. I commissioned her huge Swarovski rhinestone collar necklace from Fierce Drag Jewels in Rhode Island.
Dolly is a purple jewel dressed in peacock motifs from her headpiece to her capelet, flowing sleeves and corset. Her costume features textured satin, velvet, embroidered netting, rhinestones, beaded appliques, trims and lace.
Josephine is a vision in glitz, wearing a corset embellished in crystals and a skirt of embroidered silver sequins draped over with dripping rhinestone trim. Her shoulder and hip drapes are sequin table runners. I commissioned her huge Swarovski rhinestone collar necklace from Fierce Drag Jewels in Rhode Island.
Dolly is a purple jewel dressed in peacock motifs from her headpiece to her capelet, flowing sleeves and corset. Her costume features textured satin, velvet, embroidered netting, rhinestones, beaded appliques, trims and lace.
|
|
JEWELS OF THE SEA
A simple halter and hip belt outfit of silver lace, pearls, beads and trims for the little mermaid. Her tiny baby hides in the gold coral next to her, and their pet sea dragon, a limited edition resin art doll from Europe, in the green seaweed.
Instead of the expected shells and fish for the scene, I used foliage and decorations to suggest a fantasy water abode.
Instead of the expected shells and fish for the scene, I used foliage and decorations to suggest a fantasy water abode.
|
|
FASHION JEWELS
The House of Phinque, a 1920's fashion design studio. I have always loved the creations of Erté which is what inspired this group of costumes, which were all based on period garments. I shipped the male doll to Tea Tänav in Europe and she constructed the tailored tuxedo outfit. The lady in the gold sequin dress has marcelled hair made famous by singer Josephine Baker. The mauve lace and fringe dress is accented with a rope of pearls and a feather boa. The lady on the fainting couch in the hammered satin gown with huge pink flower accents has probably had too much to drink.
The purple satin gown has side drapes of embroidered netting called follow alongs. The black pedestal gown is made of satin, crinkled crepe, rhinestones trim and scrapbooking motifs. The center gold gown was fashioned after Erté with its huge kokoshnik headpiece, voluminous fabrics and fringe, though the crinkled column dress is more reminiscent of Fortuny’s designs. And of course, there had to be a cocoon coat which was constructed of a crushed velvet scarf and a lady’s tricot blouse from a thrift store and fake fur.
The furniture was commissioned from European artisans. Most of the set decorations—the Victrola, telephone, even a tommy gun—are from Asian doll suppliers. The 3-D printed dachshund under the fainting couch is more interested in guarding his bone than anything else.
The purple satin gown has side drapes of embroidered netting called follow alongs. The black pedestal gown is made of satin, crinkled crepe, rhinestones trim and scrapbooking motifs. The center gold gown was fashioned after Erté with its huge kokoshnik headpiece, voluminous fabrics and fringe, though the crinkled column dress is more reminiscent of Fortuny’s designs. And of course, there had to be a cocoon coat which was constructed of a crushed velvet scarf and a lady’s tricot blouse from a thrift store and fake fur.
The furniture was commissioned from European artisans. Most of the set decorations—the Victrola, telephone, even a tommy gun—are from Asian doll suppliers. The 3-D printed dachshund under the fainting couch is more interested in guarding his bone than anything else.
|
|
|
|
