The Costume and Fashion Gallery, Pitti Palace, Florence

I have recently returned from Florence and one of my treats was a visit to the Pitti Palace. The costume and fashion gallery was a surprise and I thoroughly enjoyed looking at all the different embellishments such a embroidery, beading and pleats. With this in mind, I have revisited some of my needle-felted figures and their tiny outfits.

Embroidery

Wedding Dress

The English painter, Sir John Henry Bradley married Emilia Tedeschi. This ivory coloured silk satin, three piece outfit was made in 1860 for her wedding. Although he lived and worked in Florence, Sir John kept his English interests and this outfit represents the Victorians fascination with the Renaissance.

The decoration is inspired by an intricate Renaissance knot motif in two different types of gold metal braid.

My needle-felted bride’s outfit uses freestyle machine emboidery on soluble fabric for a lace effect. Both the sleeves and the main body of the dress are covered with tiny pearl effect beads.

The embroidered figure of eight pattern reminds me of the Renaissance knot motif.

Rather than using a Victorian crinoline under the skirt, I used copious gathers of fabric. I was inspired by the fullness of Flamenco dress trains.

Beading

Evening Dress

This designer, Emilio Schuberth, worked in Rome in the 1940s and 50s. His creations were popular with film stars such as Sophia Loren and Brigitte Bardot.

Embroidered in silver thread, this 1956 evening dress is covered in sequins and rhinestone combined to give a daisy flower effect.

I used a mixture of textures on this decorated organza cape. Inspired by Native American beading I created an oblong with grid pattern white cylindrical beads, small , blue beads and mother of pearl effect short cylindrical beads.

This decoration was inspired by sari embroidery. I liked the colourfully striped fabric and the organic flowers and leaves in metallic thread. The light is caught by this and the mother of pearl effect sequins.

Pleating

Tea Gown

This 1934 “Peplos” Tea gown is by designer Mariano Fortny. His corset free dress was made up of finely pleated silk fabric and had a tunic over the top. There are Venetian glass beads on the shoulder, side seams and hem panels to help weigh down the fine silk and keep it’s shape. The dress was inspired by the Greek statue known as the Charioteer of Delphi.

My Cap o’ Rushes character has silk fabric pantalons. The fabric is made up of alternating panels of smooth silk and finely pleated silk. Their shape is based on Indian Patiala Salwar trousers.

The Collection at Pitti Palace was wide ranging and inspiring. As always, I’ve enjoyed seeing incredible designs and quality first hand. I hope I have the opportunity to make some small outfits in the future influenced by their ideas.

Thank you for reading my November blog.