Costume d’Epoque
A celebration of Hedonism and Luxury
Dominique, is a French lady who works at the Ca del Sol Atelier of historical costumes in Venice.
The little room is surrounded by her creations: Eighteen century opulent embroidered costumes in jacquard, wigs, gold tapestry frock coats, jabots in luminous taffeta, white Valenciennes laces cuffs, fans, satin ribbons, buttons of all kind and piles of multi-colored feather-ed hats.
At the end of the room near a small window overlooking the canal on a dim light, a few pairs of pointed large scissors and a sewing machine.” Puis-je vous aider?” Can I help you? she asks without lifting her eyes from a blue fabric. I explain to her that I have been invited to the two most prestigious balls in Venice on Saturday, and that I really need a costume a la Hauteur.
Dominique invites me to sit down and look at different styles in the manner of the French Baroque wardrobes. She suggests for me a ” Pink Marie Antoinette look”. She picks among the piles of timeless costumes, one in a pink silk taffeta from famous Venetian furnishing textile house Rubelli filled with large pink organdy roses and small green leaves. My feeling is that it weights at least 10 pounds. (No wonder Marie Antoinette wardrobe occupied three rooms in Versailles!)
She explains the different phases in the process of getting dressed: wear a chemise, a corset stiffened with wood or iron, a petticoat, stockings, a gown, sleeves, wrist laced elaborate ruffs and a large hat. “But Dominique, I say,” I will never be able to walk around in this precious costume in those narrow streets in the middle of the night, moreover it’s so cold and I am afraid to ruin the gown, as I must walk fast.”
She guarantees that to move, it’s just a question of practice, there are special mechanism to lift and narrow the dress in the passage of the very narrow corridors in Venice and that I will feel absolutely warm due to the amount of internal and tight layers belonging to the costume. Gloves and the large hat will shelter me from the tiny drops of menacing rain.
I try once more to escape from my destiny inquiring if it wouldn’t be a better idea to wear just a simple and very elegant dark blue velvet cloak with a black mask in Swarovski. It would be easier to move moreover I have another problem, I must feel comfortable to use my camera whenever I need it.
Dominique finally ends the conversation by saying: ” Do you want to be noticed or not? If you go with just with a cloak they won’t even let you in at the Ballo del Doge! and for the camera, don’t worry I have the perfect solution for you.” Come back tomorrow it will all be done.
Ok, decision made, Dominique found a great solution for my handbag: She created two holes on each side so I could slide both hands inside and hold my digital Cannon. The lipstick, and personal belongings were securely kept in a secret internal pocket with a zipper so nothing would fall apart. I am now able take all the pictures in the world with one hand with my purse worn as bracelet made of fabric matching my dress. Quel luxe (what a luxury) Domininique!
La Fenice, please wait for me, I am now ready to hit your most traditional Carnival ball.
Joelle’s Picks:
Historical costumes for rent and purchase in Venice : Ca del Sol , Castello 4964 30122 Venezia (S. Zaccaria - Fond Osmarin) Tel. e fax 0415285549 - E-mail:cadelsol@libero.it. :Prices for rent could vary from 350 eu to 1000. To purchase up to 8000 eu.
Atelier Bertoldini Giuliana: Specialized in very sophisticated custom hand- made body jewelry in Cristals and semi precious stones, theatre masks, and hair accessories. Among her clients is Grace Jones and various Fashion Designers. Castello 4321. Venezia. Tel + 39 041 523v62 15
In the States and on Line: Costume Salon , tel:1 505 989
