Another astonishing Worth creation from 1882. This image comes from The Opulent Era: Fashions of Worth, Doucet and Pingat
by Elizabeth Ann Coleman. Just in case we needed further proof of Worth's brilliance.

In truth I don't love everything by Worth (some, in fact, make me cringe), but as mentioned before on this blog, this is probably my favorite era of fashion in the 19th century. This is absolutely nothing I would ever want to wear ~ too froo froo with all those flowers, but I do appreciate it as quite the phenomenon of silk and tulle and layers and sculpting!

Scanner still kaput, no relief in sight (it's a tragedy, I know). But I thought I better update with some small thing at least just so you know I have not disappeared off the planet.

This is an English set of dolls from the 1860s which I found at Bibliopolis. And just think! It can be yours for the bargain price of $8,500!

Totally insane price, but the set does sound very nice: "two adult paper dolls are accompanied by ten costumes, including outerwear, elegant evening dress, and a long bridal veil. One gown, fit for a ball, has three tiers of blue satin and white floral lace, and short lace-trimmed sleeves. Wrist-length kid gloves and a fan complete the ensemble. Each of the child figures has four costumes, including a boy's tunic with a tamed squirrel perched on the shoulder. Also included are fourteen hats and two stands for the dolls. All costumes are vibrantly colored and partially varnished and are also two-sided. Housed in the original gilt-trimmed, printed box".

Wish they had shared more pictures.

Here is yet another gorgeous Worth gown from 1884 which I found at Ye Olde Fashion. The gold and black is exquisite and somehow manages to not look garish. As always, click the picture to see more details up close. And check out that tumblr account (it is chock full of amazing things!).

As for me and why I have been rather absent here, as usual I have very few good excuses, though my scanner has died once and for all and I will have to get a replacement before I can post any new work, which has put a major crimp in everything. Hopefully I will find a scanner to my liking and get it set up soon. I tried to find one this weekend, but didn't really care for the models available in the stores. I don't want to be too picky, but I also want something that will serve me well as my last one did for nearly ten years. Rest in peace, old friend.

In other news, I am clearly falling into bad habits again. I haven't been working on stuff lately due to either stress or tiredness (or both), and this past weekend I just felt too burned out to bother with anything. But I am trying to climb out of the proverbial hole, so thank you for your patience. I shall have more Judy for you this weekend to make up for my delinquency.