Lady Alina Silverthorne

This week's feature fits into that wonderful category of costuming where everything is so perfect that the wearer looks like she could have walked right out of a painting. Alina's work on this outfit just completely blew me away when I first saw it. She told me that she has been working on the project for eight years now, but the details on her gown are so amazing - I think it was definitely worth every minute! Just check out this close-up photo to see what I mean. That blackwork especially had me drooling all over my keyboard! If you would like to send Alina your questions or comments, you can contact her at kmlumpkins(at)comcast(dot)net, and you can also read a little more about the gown below the picture.

The gown is loosely based off of Eleanora of Toledo's gown in that it has the same side back closure as well as loop-over-button sleeve attachments similar to the Marie de Medici portrait of the same era. The sleeves are bound on all edges with silk satin and have five points down the open seam of each. The forepart is white satin with black silk satin stripes, edged with a black velvet pearled guard. There are piccadil tabs at the waist. The partlet has blackwork along the opening and collar (better seen in the closeup), and the ruff is heavily starched linen with cotton lace trim. The collar is by Drachenstein Treasures and the bodice jewel is from Tudor Shoppe (a replica of a 16th century jewel). The hat I bought at Pennsic many years ago. The photography is by Bardulf Rauen of the Shire of Border Vale Keep, Atlantia.