Tag: Satin

Lilac Fan Dance

On By ResaIn Burlesque, Floral239 Comments

A storm of uneasy was roiling within me.

All of the AGMs had a dedicated Art Gown, except Dale.

The only way to quell the turmoil was to whip up a gown. I figured four, five months tops.

Seven months later, Lilac Fan Dance was dreaming out of the Art Gowns atelier window.

The ruffly lace tail had become a total diva during its construction. What figured to be done in 3-4 hours took 3-4 weeks.

It was the same time consuming issues I’d encountered making the fans for Diane Lane in “The Big Town”.

It began with an 80’s floral print fabric draped on Judy. Surrounded with acetates, a sheer and lace harvested from “Atlantis Mermaid Love-In”, inspiration struck .

The harvested lace was not enough to fulfill my idea, so old lace curtain scraps were painted with acrylics inherited from my F-i-L. The dates on the tubes were from the 1990’s.

Once dry the paint was heat set, the lace cut into creative shapes and randomly gathered. The 3d lace pieces were strewn behind the gown, and it was evident backing yardage was required.

A strip of white curtain sheer left over from Belle Grâce was blotch painted with the remainder of the purple paint.

TA DA! Lilac Fan Dance – dedicated to Dale – A Dalectable Life

Suddenly, the day became dark and filled with the peal of Thunder.

Memories flooded in and I could see…

Diane Lane waiting on my front porch. She’d come to check out her fans.

Romanticized by the idea of the Burlesque circuit, Lilac Fan Dance built a fan out of peach blossoms from Dale’s peach tree on Tim’s magic tree sanctuary.

Unable to dance due to that she had wheels instead of legs, no arms of her own and no head,

…. she borrowed some of Mae West’s jokes and did a stand-up.

Happy with her time as an entertainer, but tired of life on the road, Lilac Fan Dance returned home.

“Positive thoughts generate positive feelings and attract positive life experiences. You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.” -Mae West

OUTTAKES

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Lilac Fan Dance © Resa McConaghy – 2024

Peach Blossom pics © Timothy Price from Off Center Not Even

Charlotte Models Midnight Nightingale: Part II

On By ResaIn Live Model Collection

Soprano Charlotte Hoather models “Midnight Nightingale” & Interviews Me:  Part II

Still thrilled with how terrific “Midnight Nightingale” fits Charlotte, I’m now on Venus with how beautiful she looks in it.

Click on the reblog box or the photo of Charlotte to visit the post, read the interview and enjoy the shots.

Charlotte Models Midnight Nightingale

On By ResaIn Live Model Collection

Soprano Charlotte Hoather models “Midnight Nightingale”, and interviews me.

I’m thrilled with how terrific “Midnight Nightingale” fits Charlotte, and I’m over the moon with how beautiful she looks in it.

Click on the reblog box or the photo of Charlotte to visit the post, read the interview and enjoy the shots.

BONUS

Charlotte made a wee video with a few pics and her splendid voice!

The gorgeous shots of Charlotte in the gown were taken by her brother Matt.

The Gift

On By ResaIn Thank You139 Comments

Hello dahling Kat!  We’re here to say ThankYou for the wonderful gift of old fabrics, starting with a 40 pound box, that showed up in the mail one day!

Look! I just have to drape them over and around me, and it looks like a gown. Still, several gowns have been made largely out of the gifts you’ve sent.

Here to tell all about the creations is AG’s Art Director. Take it away Rebecca!

Thank you, Rene! Not only has Kat sent enough fabric to cover a few elephants, I’m standing here wearing and holding vintage clothing, scarves, pillow shams, lace and such that she has tossed in.

Check out the cat walk! Art Gowns Model Shey looks like one of her romance novel heroines in her dedicated Art Gown, Jade.

Jade is crafted from yardage of a chartreuse-esque poly silk-satin of sorts, 2 vintage decorator pillow shams & many metres of reclaimed ribbon.

On the runway, Μοντέλο Art Gowns Marina, models Belle Grâce. Belle Grâce, Tim’s dedicated Art Gown, is made from a mid-weight satin in pink & 2 shades of gold, with white curtain sheers. 

AGM Holly, in Spring Rhapsody, holds the tail as she walks. The copper satin of the gown is strange… possibly upholstery goods, and is somewhat heavy. Spring Rhapsody is topped with a vintage pillow slip, and adorned with various cut cloth bits, scraps of fine lace and vintage gold buttons.

On this occasion, Holly has written a poem especially for Kat.

Modèle de robes d’art Gigi found out how much Kat adores the Chicklets. She sends a message!

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Displaying the main fabric for what will be her dedicated Art Gown, AGM Dale knows that there’s a lot to do to finish it, but that it is well under way!

And now back to RR for a parting message!

Thank you Rebecca! In closing I’m leaving these songs for Kat; one for being a mush head and one for fun.

Princess Blue Holly & Rene Rosso characters © Resa McConaghy & HollyRene Hunter – since September 2019

Chicklets art © Georgiann Carlson

Visit the AGMs on their blogs – Marina – Art Towards a Happy Day / Holly – House of Heart/ Dale – A Dalectable Life / Shey – Smexy Historical Romance/ Gigi – Rethinking Life

Visit Timothy Price from Off Center Not Even

Need a reminder, or to catch up? Click on the above poster!

Get ready for the next fashion show when Bezella and her evil puppets will take on Princess Blue Holly!

Midnight Nightingale

On By ResaIn Sopranos198 Comments

One enchanted evening I was inspired to make a performance Art Gown for the spellbinding Soprano, Charlotte Hoather.

She embraces the concept that Art Gowns are hand sewn from off cuts, repurposed clothes, curtains, table cloths, etc. and NOS (new old stock).

Charlotte lives in the U.K., and I wouldn’t be able to fit her. So, she sent me professionally taken measurements from an opera wardrobe department. I used those to make small adjustments to Judy.

Although I’ve made many gowns, and have history designing in film and television; presenting for stage is different.

Day shots were in natural light.  Night shots were lit. I can’t compete with stage lighting, especially overhead lighting. That would bring out the dazzle on the skirt’s circular tail, as it sits on the floor.

Midnight Nightingale is presented in a way I hope you can imagine what stage lighting could make happen.

I sent Charlotte a photo of an off cut of sequin fabric someone had gifted me. It was thrown on Judy with a stretch velvet piece, to show the germ of an idea. Called “Dragon Skin”, the sequins are variegated green/blue. Also, one can rub the sequins backwards and they flip to black. Funny, but once I got going, that novelty wore off.

A bustier shape was draped on Judy, then transferred to a paper pattern. That was used to cut the Dragon Skin. A decent yardage of 25 year old NOS plum acetate satin was pulled from the stash, and a 3 panel a-line(ish) skirt was cut. A full circle of $2.00/yd., 120″ wide liquidated black curtain sheer was draped on top.

The stretch velvet was used for the back & straps of the bustier. The thought was that it would be easier for fit and altering. A separating zip was inserted in the centre back. The gown’s finishes were designed to accommodate alterations.

Circles were cut out of the remaining Dragon Skin, and sewn onto the circular tail of the skirt.

A small bustle with a long thin nightingale tail, on its own waistband, is added separately to the top and skirt.

The gown can be worn with or without the bustle/nightingale tail. Teeny rhinestones (a gift from a friend) dot it and fill in between the sequin circles on the skirt’s tail.

Midnight Nightingale’s circular skirt tail can be hitched up, with or without the bustle/nightingale tail, for various effects.

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Visit Charlotte on her blog!

Last I knew, Charlotte was practicing to be a Coloratura Soprano. She may be there already. Below is a fantastic performance.

I’m totally in love when Charlotte sings and George plays piano.

Charlotte, her star rising, is in rehearsals for a new Opera, “Brontë“.

In three pieces, Midnight Nightingale is glamorous and versatile. Above, the top is shown with a vintage navy panné velvet skirt.

Art Gowns & Photography © Resa McConaghy

Since – November 2012

Belle Grâce – A La Gala

On By ResaIn Art Gowns Events, Galas120 Comments

Robin needed a gown. It was time for ECAD, The Explorers Club Annual Dinner in New York City.

Robin emailed me via my website. She had been searching on line for an interesting gown source. The message read, “tell me more about your gowns”. Robin was enthralled by the fact they are made from: reused, repurposed, new old stock, etc. materials.

Included in the mail was her purpose, phone and other info which made it super easy to check her out. She was a valid contender to wear an Art Gown. After a personable phone conversation, we decided on Belle Grâce.

To review Belle Grâce, or see her for the first time click on her pic below.

 My judy is built for someone who is about 5’6″ & a size 6. Robin is 5’9″ and about a size 10. No worries! The Art Gowns are built in components: top, skirt, tail & often a bussell

First thing was to detach the tail. Who could walk and dance an entire evening in an Art Gowns tail?

Belle Grâce stands in a pool of handkerchief hem. The great thing about Robin’s height is the handkerchief hem was now enough off the ground that I merely had to tie overhand knots in the longest points.

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We decided she would need to wear a strapless bra, so I designed a strap across the back to cover the bra’s back. A second thin strap was added for extra support.

By the time the beautiful and vivacious Robin returned for her second fitting, I had converted Belle Grâce’s tail into a stole. Skirt hooks and bussell snaps had been repositioned. Back straps had been built and positioned. Knots were tied in the handkerchief hem.

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WHEN ROBIN PICKED UP THE GOWN I ONLY HAD TO PERFCT BAR PLACEMENTS IN THE BACK.

TADA!

Robin Brooks is an elected executive of the Canadian Chapter of The Explorers Club. She is the regional director for Ontario/Nunavit. Click on her pic below to view the page.

To check out The Explorers Club (established 1904) click on the pic below of Robin tripping the light fantastic.

Thank you, Robin! I am ecstatic.

Some Great News To Share

On By ResaIn Reblogs, Tribute2 Comments

My favourite Soprano in the whole world is not merely a fabulous singer, but a wonderful person. In the past, she has brought Opera to children who are deaf &/or  hard of hearing.

Charlotte – “For several years now, I have had a deep desire to create an Opera Production which can be enjoyed across the full hearing spectrum. The idea for the Opera is developed from my album “Down The Rabbit Hole”.”

She has worked diligently for several years, and has now received a grant.

Charlotte – “Two weeks ago, I got the news that they were willing to provide key funding for my project if I could raise the rest.  So before I could share the news with you, I had to hit the phones, write emails and send off applications to try and raise the shortfall.”

Charlotte has raised the shortfall. She will do a small tour of primary schools next Spring, which will include both D/Deaf specialist schools and primary schools from socially deprived areas.

Charlotte – “If I can raise an extra £600.00 it will give me enough money to print a learning aid booklet for each of the 800 children we perform for. If I can raise an additional £3000.00 it will allow me to add the two schools that I have as reserves so that none of the children miss out.”

If you live in the U.K., there is a way to help Charlotte raise the money by simply shopping.

Click on this and go to Charlotte’s page

OR

Visit Charlotte’s Blog, where there is a button to donate to this project on the side bar. I just donated £ 10.00 with PayPal!

If you have never had the delight of hearing Charlotte sing, click on the image below and visit her YouTube Channel.

I have Charlotte’s permission to reblog. However, as there is no reblog button on her blog, I have made this semi-repost.

To visit the full original post, click on the pic below.

I’ve decided to close comments. Many of you might want to say something to Charlotte, however Akismet won’t allow her to comment on this blog. Crazy! We communicate through comments on her blog. So, go visit!

 Announcement: An Art Gown for Charlotte. A few years ago, I was gifted some sequin fabric left over from a TV production. This was the beginning. It will be sent to Charlotte, with help from ❦ Timothy Price ❦

Jade

On By ResaIn Romance186 Comments

Have you ever walked away from love?

Yes!? Then you know its bittersweet taste.

Jade has been called by Chinese poets “the concentrated essence of love”.

Well, all that sounds like a Historical Romance novel to me, and Shehanne Moore writes the best .

Art Gown, Jade, is lovingly dedicated to Shehanne.

If anyone knows the twists and turns of romance, it is she.

It all began with 2 vintage decorator pillow shams. My friend, Kat, found them in Wiarton’s Goodwill – 220 km. north of Toronto. She sent them to me.

I wasted no time pinning one onto Judy. It was a natural. Last year Kat sent me 40 pounds of fabrics, much of it stored for up to 25 years. In the poundage was a generous yardage of 60″ wide green polyester faux silk.

That was cut on bias and hung for 2 weeks. I harvested miles of ribbon from an old gown. It was marked with needle holes, so I gathered it to hide the flaws.

The faux silk had been cut without blunting the bottom for a hem. The points were picked up, and attached onto the bodice. This meant no fabric was wasted, and I sewed (by hand)  420 inches of seams & 660 inches of hem.

540 inches of ruffled salvaged ribbon was sewn onto the hem. The decals from the 2nd pillow sham were cut out, and positioned strategically onto the gown. Then began the fun of designing the bustle.

Jade is a dream to drape. That polyester faux silk is like fabric butter. However, it does not biodegrade like butter.

Front lit or backlit, she shines.

OUTTAKES

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I’m a huge fan of Shehanne’s books. I’ve read all but one, so far. These are just 5 of her titles. Click on the banner to go to her Amazon page!

D. Wallace Peach – Myths of the Mirror has just read “Loving Lady Lazuli”. Her review will appear in her next books review.

However, you can read it NOW! Just click on the book cover!

I read if you hit a piece of jade, it rings like a bell. Whether for pleasant listening or for ritual practices, chimes, xylophones, and gongs have been created from melodically resonant jade.

I kept hearing this song while doing the post. Maybe because Sade looks like Jade, but an “s” instead of a “j”. When I learned about jade being resonant, I put it in.

On top of it all, Timothy Price – Off Center Not Even sent me a gift of LED lights with 4 filters: red, orange, yellow and blue. Jade is the first Art Gown learning lesson. I experimented in night, and day.

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As Jade retires to the plant room, I’m mini Jade here to say thank you for popping by & come again!

A Tangle of Music

On By ResaIn Tribute124 Comments

Dahlings, do you just love my hair done as red sails? I feel like I could fly. It makes me think of songs like: Sailing by Christoper Cross, Beyond the Sea by Bobby Darin & Come Sail Away by Styx. This brings me to the theme of our Tribute today, Music!

Take it away, Rebecca!

Thank you Rene! We’ve decided to have a bit of fun with “A Tangle of Music”. Each AGM is presented with 2 or 3 bars of 12, that are the instrumental opening to a famous song. There are other clues, as well.

There is an obvious theme running though each AGM’s gown, that pertains to the opening lyrics. Also, as you can see, I am surrounded by the chords in the song. Note: I am holding an A minor in my right hand.

First out on the Catwalk, with the first 2 bars, is AGM Marina in a stunning 1 shoulder, ultra fitted gown with a fish tail hem.

In order to make sure our presentation is sound, we consulted with Trent, & sent him the pic of Marina.

Trent’s reply: “My piano is way off to the side, and I was trying to play it off of the dress, which has the left hand (on the right side) and the right hand (on the left side) with a woman in between. It took a minute.”

Trent’s advice: “It is easier to see if the two parts (called staves) are together. If you can have the line and bracket joining them, a player knows they are played at the same time.”

As you can see AGM Shey holds the next 2 bars, with the staves joined, in one hand. She shows off the full skirt of the drop waist slip style gown in her other hand.

AGigiM is brilliant in pinch tucked trim accentuating a deep v décolletage. Off the shoulder ruffles make for an innocent (don’t be fooled) effect, while a generous side seam insert of pleats adds drama to her every move. Her right gloved hand holds the 5th, 6th & 7th bars.

Dale, our AGM of Thunder feels easy and breezy, as she leans on a fence of the 8th & 9th bars. Inspired by a gypsy’s dance, her gown is full of romance.

Avant Garde is the term for AGM Holly’s asymmetric gown. She stands nonchalantly by the last 3 bars to the intro.

The theme running through the gowns is  gold. “There’s a lady who’s sure
All that glitters is gold”.

This is an historic tribute performance of the answer!

Now, back to Rene!

Thank you, Rebecca! This is the gown that started it all. It’s a scribble gown, drawn to live music from under Resa’s bed.

Okay, the fun isn’t over yet! Someone’s past boyfriend found them online & sent her the song he wrote for her back when. Perhaps you can guess who? The answer will be on Holly’s blog.

Finally we have many blog pals who make great music. What would a great Tangle be without throwing a few into the snarl!

Click on the cards to visit their Youtube channels!

Check out the music of MK-O – Marina Kanavaki & Oannes (click on above)

Visit them on their blogs!

Holly, Gigi, Shey, Dale, Marina

& Art Director – Rebecca Budd

Rene Rosso character © Resa McConaghy & Holly Rene Hunter

Since 2019

🤍 A Dream 🤍 of Paper

On By ResaIn Thank You134 Comments

Welcome Dahlings! The AGMs & I are here tonight to help Resa thank Timothy from Off Center Not Even.

I know I look amazing. I can’t help it! I’ve been heavily filtered. Unfortunately, the colours are not as Resa meant them.

When supply chain issues affected the stock of art supplies in Toronto, Tim & Holly – House of Heart started a swear jar to buy a gift of art supplies, & mail them to Resa. If she is not home, she can later pick it up at her post office.

I hear you RR! She can’t order on line, because if she’s not home, the delivery guys just leave the package on the step. Never mind porch pirates, Resa lives by a busy streetcar transfer stop. Hundreds of people are out there every day.

“That’s true, Marina! Recently, she couldn’t find paper in the weight & size she uses. So she did this pencil & smudges drawing of me around old paint blots.”

“Still, none of us get new gowns without drawing paper. Here comes the dream! It’s  Drawing paper, a REAM of it, seen here posing beside the new Art Gown (for Shey). It’s about 60% done. AGM Dale, what do you think about that?”

“Holly, I’m feeling 100% wicked about it!”

“Especially when you factor in a roll of Resa’s fave paper, two pads of the same paper, two dozen HB pencils, scads of water colour pencils and two kneadable erasers!”

“On top of it all, Tim threw in a gift of LED lights, so Resa can try getting the colours more how she means them.”

AGM Shey was thrilled, as she had just got a Lamé gown. She insisted on being photographed in it.

The lights are fabulous, dahling, but we need a new make-up artist. The one from the Coop knows how to work with my face. Can we make that happen?

Of course dahling! Only the best, now that we have lights.

Ribbons of sand run through her red hair. The moon streaks the sky with flecks of gold. – based on words from a poem by Holly.

Dear Tim,

You’ve gone beyond the call. I can’t thank you enough! I’ve been taking pics for days. I want everything to be perfect for this thank you, but there’s so much to learn. We will have to settle for perfectly imperfect. XOXOXO

Tim, RB here via Skype. I wanted to be here and celebrate with Resa, RR and the AGMs. I have no idea where I am, but I am art directing a fashion show for Live Nitoop Network, apparently. If you see PBH, can you pass this on for me?

HELP!!!