There couldn't be a better holiday for frilly, girly things than Valentine's Day. When I found these red foil heart boxes, I had no choice: They cried out for poufed and ruffled paper dolls. So I went to work on some of my signature creations, which start with a vintage French illustration, then are embellished with all manner of pretties and have jointed limbs, like the old Dennison paper dolls.
I get a wave of Marie Antoinette inspiration from time to time -- have been since I first studied her in the 1970s -- and Valentine's Day really is her kind of day. So, my first paper doll is a model of Marie style -- with much pomp and poufery provided by a clear cellophane petticoat and a skirt constructed of printed tissue and ribbon. A soupçon of German glass glitter here and there gave her elegant dimension. Perfect Valentine embellishments from my friends at Blümchen made the tableau complete.
As I may or may not have mentioned before, the color red is usually verboten for me, due to the intense rivalry between my beloved Nashville Predators hockey team and the dastardly Red Wings (whom we humiliated in the last two meetings, I might add). But, I relent at Christmas and Valentine's Day because the creative possibilities abound -- like this lovely lady in red.
She is a variation on a fashion plate from 18th Century French Fashions. (Any fan of the froufrou and frills of the Marie Antoinette era needs a copy of this book filled with color plates.) With the ubiquitous heart-shaped doily, foil greetings and one of the stunning roses from the Prima collection, she is a vision (even if she is wearing red).
There is something especially chic about the play of black and pink together. That, along with an illustration from French Fashion plates of the Romantic Era, inspired this Valentine doll.
This combination gave me a chance to use some of my treasured black lace as the underskirt. You know about my love for lace and the wonderful heirloom creations that it makes possible for children and dolls. But my collection also includes yards of enchanting black lace -- with a sense of mystery all its own. Stay tuned for its introduction here at Atelier Chéri and the opportunity to buy some of it at La Dentellière.
Last was this little ingenue arrayed in tulle and printed tissue. She also was inspired by one of the plates in French Fashion Plates of the Romantic Era, as was the black-and-pink number above.
The Romantic Era (during the 19th century) has been on my mind a little more than usual this Valentine's Day season. Not only is it my first as Mike's wife, but it finds me busy putting together a small family wedding for my precious daughter. Just as I made all of her little smocked and handsewn dresses when she was little, I am making her wedding dress. Amid clouds of tulle and organza, I am having a ball! Hope to share wedding pictures in the next week.
à bientôt...Tatie
