Angela Friedman

This amazing Elizabethan court gown recently received the honor of winning first prize in the 2002 Bristol Renaissance Faire in the noble category, which is probably one of the most prestigious costume contests in the country! As you can read in the description below the picture, this gown is made entirely of silk and cost a pretty penny to make, but the results are well worth it. You can also see a small picture of the side and back views here. I think Angela makes a gorgeous young noblewoman, and she will take her place as part of the Queen's court at Bristol next summer. If you have any other questions for Angela, you can contact her at Espalore(at)hotmail.com.

I made the costume using Margo Anderson's Historical Patterns and AlterYears for the corset. This was my very first Elizabethan. Everything you see in the pictures is 100% silk. The red velvet is silk imported from Pakistan for $14 a yard. The skirt and bodice are lined with cotton duck ($3 a yard), and the sleeves are lined with black silk satin and pouffed with white silk satin (each $10 a yard). The forepart and caul are of a gold silk ($36.00 a yard), embellished with beading (red carnelian, black onyx, and glass pearl). The undergarments (corset, partlet, bum roll, farthingale, and underskirt) are all 100% cotton, the corset is boned with steel, and he farthingale is temporarily boned with rigeline. All of the trim on the dress is handmade from black silk velvet and gold cording. All of the jewelry is handmade from the same beads as the forepart ($75.00 total). The tall hat was purchased at 'La Paloma' at the Bristol Renaissance Faire in Wisconsin, and was $105 (including pins and feathers). The pomander ball was bought already-made at 'Elizabethan Arts' online for $25. The ruff and cuffs are made from satin ribbon and bobbin lace (I think), and are cartridge pleated to the band.