Venetian Courtesan

[Francesca DC]

First time poster.. been lurking for a year or so.

I finally have something to share! I have worked on my Venetian Courtesan dress for the past 4 or so months (but drooooleeeddd over making one for so long).

My personal requirements were
1. Fancy sleeves...
2. PANTS... those sassy Courtesans
3. NO CORSET...with the Michigan heat I wanted one less layer.
4. Hair horns and as much jewelery as I can *afford*

http://www1.snapfish.com/snapfish/slideshow/AlbumID=5514550016/PictureID=305291749016/a=1279938_1279938/otsc=SHR/otsi=SPIClink/COBRAND_NAME=snapfish/
http://www1.snapfish.com/snapfish/slideshow/AlbumID=5514550016/PictureID=305300131016/a=1279938_1279938/otsc=SHR/otsi=SPIClink/COBRAND_NAME=snapfish/
Thanks for looking

FDC

[arbcoind]

Oh, how very sassy.  Nice job, FDC!!

Gina

[Ser Niall]

Sleeves look very fancy, nice job!

[Margaret]

Ser - you will be able to see her in person at MIRF when you go.

If you think this looks good in photos, wait until you see her in person.

All kinds of yummy!!!

[CalliopeCC]

BELLISSIMA!! 

I think what really sells this ensemble (beside the sumptuous fabrics and intricate sleeve work) are the ACCESSORIES. Rings, neckaces and pearls, and of course.... THE HAIR.

Credo me (I believe)...If you're going to be a Courtesan, you really have to go BIG or go home.  Dress the fingers, the wrists, the neck and the HAIR.... if you're a lady of leisure and luxury, you would have the time and money, so dress it up from head to toe. Francesca even has pearls and beads on her SHOES.

and get ready to have horn envy.... those hair horns are AWESOME.

[Auryn]

ok I LOOVEEEE the hair and the sleeves.
beautiful work

[Wickedvox]

*waving frantically* Hi Francesca--it's Erin!

I agree with Calliope (*waving frantically to you too!*) it's BEAUTIFUL in person--so much to look at, she's eye candy believe me! And I *love* the pants!

[Margaret]

The tasseled codpiece!  Don't forget the tasseled codpiece!!

[gem]

We need a bigger picture so we can add her to the Sleeve Eye Candy thread! Those are spectacular!

[Lady Kathleen of Olmsted]

Well done!!!

HUZZAH!!!!

[Wickedvox]

The tasseled codpiece!  Don't forget the tasseled codpiece!!

OMG I forgot the codpiece!! SOOOO funny!

[Francesca DC]

Thank you everyone.. Truly!

:::blush:::

I do love wearing this ensemble... And Cici is *cough* right....  the details are so important. Every bead, pearl, and tassle (he he) really completes the look.

I will try to get a close up of the sleeves.... They are beaded and pearled.

:: waves ::: to Maggie and Erin from my home faire.

[operafantomet]

Holy crap, it's totally super awesome! Love the colours, love the fit, love the details.

[Margaret]

Francesca, in action:

[Francesca DC]

Mille Grazi to Margaret for the paparazzi on Saturday!

And for posting on my behalf. :::hugs:::;

[Margaret]

Ah bella... It was my honor. 

[Lady Gregory]

Wow, truly magnificent work.  Love those sleeves.

[CalliopeCC]

I think needs a piccolo bump...

Thanks to our Resident Sr. Paparazzi, I finally got a really nice picture of most of the gown on the last weekend of MIRF.

Forgive me -- I can't remember how to paste the picture in the message at the moment...

http://www.facebook.com/tracy.selak?ref=tn_tnmn#!/photo.php?fbid=356976481052454&set=t.1529337326&type=3&theater

I took a few (!) liberties on the historical Venetian style in order to make it a kit I could get into without requiring any assistance.

Aside from the linen/cotton shift and the stockings, it's all silk - dupioni and raw (for the pantelone).

...AND I got a bonus camel in the background. Epic Win, that.  

[Wickedvox]

Photos don't do it justice Calliope, but it's close Brava!

[Margaret]

Brava mi amica!

The gown, the hair horns, the pearls and other accessories - SO WELL DONE!!

Plus a bonus camel!  Off the hook!!!!  (I would say something about showing some camel toe, but I just don't want to go there so early in the morning.)

[Auryn]

LOVE IT
I gotta admit I LOVE the horns.
How did you get them to stay??

[CalliopeCC]

Grazie, Ladies!

For the Horns of Venus:  First you have to stick your head in the Grand Canal - then you get the egg beater and twist and twist and twist...


I don't want to give it all away, but there's a headband, bobby pins and some fake hair involved. My horns were graciously fashioned by Francesca herself.

I just put it on my head, wrap my hair around it, and secure with combs and more hair pins. You can't see it, but there is a braided bun studed with pearls and hat pins in the back that cover the puny pony tail I have left once the rest of my hair is in place.

Thanks, Margaret.... I knew SOMEONE was going to mention the Camel Toe.  

[Mistress Kathleen]

just want to pipe in and say I was down the last weekend MIRF and saw your costume it was lovely... wish I had seen this first I would have said Hi..