A six-part minishoot capturing the outfits for the “Russian Fairytale” themed Gala Nocturna ball, comforming to the dresscode through injecting hints of musical folklore into the lines of typical Opus Relinque garments.

These towering thresholds depicting the outfits as worn for Gala Nocturna 2011 took quite a while to make, tuning solely mathematical transformations of photographed images, marking my first venture into print art.

The primary, forms an archetypal vampire’s outfit, high on excesses with wool trousers, a satin shirt, velvet vest and bracers, a silk tied scarf, red hair, a fur covered top-hat, smothered by a chain-draped gothic cape.

The secondary, depicts a more modernistic approach, limiting to fashion essentials with a velveteen blouse, fur-covered leggings, ostrich feather collar, cuffs and crown, to be engaged in a wide velvet/cashmere coat.

Formidably combining a grainy veil with taffeta green, this classical shirt exhibits a unique play of vertically, diagonally and horizontally layered over-crossing bonds, while retaining pre-tied ribbons for facile closing.

Design – Patterns – Textiles – Methodism – Bond Layers –                                                                                                   – Lining – Fasteners – Buttons – Spare Bows

Nudging towards higher couture, is the augmentation with shoulder-pieces continuing side and sleeve seam onto a prolific lapel-less collar, demanding the knee-length coat to be worn open, giving leeway to its volume.

This freedom of movement, aggrandized by a with volant finished split in the coat central back back-seam, is copied onto the sleeve, converging in a more contemporary sense of unity, much like the augmentation of the coat with an optionally insertable gilet-closure presenting the opportunity for a more reserved look.

Repeating this image with more sets of three of such horizontal layers adorning the sleeve, all are secured with stitchings to ascertain a contemporary feel together with the timeless standing cuffs and collar, in this particular piece engraced with bow-tied ribbons for binding.

What started from a simple sketch in one of this blog’s first posts, grew to an enchanting project exhibiting the finest silk flowing generously from layered collar into matching cuffs while graciously taking on the shape of the wearer in an uniquely tailored bodice.

Proceedings: sketch – sleeve pattern – collar pattern – fabric – cuff – bodice – undershirt – modeled

Paris, Halloween’s eve…. a setting, perfect for apraising the still developing Monday outfits at the windmill, with the decor of our charming art-nouveau hotel just a little too remindful of that certain elevator scene.

Though not a piece of my own, this majestic frock coat required so much retouching in order to get its fit right, that I have become proud to present it.