Costume Design Challenge: Day Eight - Ten

I've joined the November Costume Design Challenge hosted by the famous & fabulous Lauren of Wearing History!  And you can too by clicking on link above or official banner on the sidebar...

Week One was completed in Part I & Part II, so it's onto Week Two!  Here are the challenges:

(Image via: Wearing History)

And, here are my designs, enjoy!

Challenge #8: The Factory Worker 

Please click for larger image.

Definition: Factory (noun) - A building or group of buildings where goods are manufactured or assembled chiefly by machine; Worker (noun) - One that works especially at manual or industrial labor or with a particular material, a "factory worker" often used in combination. 

Design:  Hard work and harder life.  Long hours and longer days.  Menial, repetitive tasks.  Poor conditions.  Little light and littler hope.  Maybe I've been watching too much Les Misérables (it is after all one of my favorite, if not my favorite musicals), but Fantine, a victim of unfair circumstance and tragic fate, came to mind when I saw the challenge.  Therefore, clad in blue for sorrow and brown for toil,  my early 19th century mill worker would be wearing a simple, tattered, calico dress, apron, and blue cap to protect her locks.

Movie inspiration: (not included in collage).  I am intrigued by the caps that these mill workers from the relatively recent drama, The Mill (2013), are wearing.  I'm not familiar with the drama, but I think the look is spot on!  The tatters, the dirt, the cold, the strife, but still, a glimmer of hope can be drawn from the scene:

Apprentices at Greg's mill, Channel 4's drama - The Mill.
(Image via: The Telegraph)

Les Misérables (2012): Great scene, great costumes:

Still of Anne Hathaway in Les Misérables (2012) by Laurie Sparham.
(Image via: IMDb - Les Misérables)

More Les Mis, I loved the variety of ages, shapes and sizes among the factory workers.  The blues, browns and bronzes are perfect:

Still of Anne Hathaway, Kate Fleetwood and Hannah Waddingham in Les Misérables (2012).
(Image via: IMDb - Les Misérables)

Soft stays, in the right colors, form the support for her outer garments and for her back throughout the long day ahead:

Corset bodice, c.1800-1825
National Trust Collections
(Image via: Pinterest)

A basic, all-covering apron protects a simple, yet slightly faded, calico dress from more dirt and grime:

Old Sturbridge Village work dress and apron.
(Image via: Pinterest)

A blue corded sunbonnet:  Or even better, a coif of the same color (like above) to cover her hair:

Corded sunbonnet.
(Image via: Sewing Academy)

Challenge #9: A Royal Wedding 

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Definition: Royal (adjective) - (1) Of or relating to a king, queen, or other sovereign, (2) Appropriate to or befitting royalty, magnificent, stately; Wedding (noun) - a marriage ceremony usually with its accompanying festivities, nuptials.

Design:  Quite the contrast from the previous day's challenge, for this fairy tale wedding, nothing less than the absolute best is required!  The bridal gown, with its open lace, cut glass and diamond encrusted back, and small train, is made from the purest of white fabrics.  The long, traditional veil, held in place by a royal crown, is every bit as splendid and ethereal as the dress - truly fit for a queen.

I find this detail from the back of a Rami Salamoun bridal gown very inspiring.  It has the texture and ethereal quality that I am seeking - just look at how the lace and gemstones(?) appear to be magically suspended.  If only I could find a picture of the full gown...

Detail from a gown designed by Rami Salamoun.
(Image via: Pinterest)

THE dress!?!  I absolutely love the shape of the skirt and train.  The cut of the sleeves and back are also very complimenting.  I think we have a winner! 

Off the shoulder, lace wedding dress, $328, sold.
(Image via: Etsy, Pinterest)

This veil, with its scalloped edges and delicate white work, is absolutely perfection: 

Antique veil from "A Delicate Tuscan Inspired Outdoor Wedding."
(Image via: Oncewed)

Another example of the classic veil I am aiming for, from none other than Grace Kelly's famous wedding gown:

Grace Kelly wedding dress veil, detail shot.
(Image via: Pinterest)

Dare I say this is one of the most beautiful, modern wedding dresses that I have ever seen?  I can definitely image the overlay as the back extension of the bridal veil:  Talk about ethereal!

Spring 2014 "Aurora" designed by Miosa Couture.
(Image via: Wedding Wire)

Challenge #10: The Chorus Girl

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Definition: Chorus (noun) - A group of singers or dancers, often supporting the featured players; Chorus girl (noun) - A female singer or dancer of the chorus of a musical comedy, revue, vaudeville show, etc.

Design:  Bright, flashy and fabulous!  Drawing my inspiration from the 1890s can can dancers of the Moulin Rouge, my chorus girl would be ready to dance the night away in a mass of scarlet ruffles and glittering gold embellishments, catching the light at every kick and turn.  Not to mention, adorned with abundant plumage and wicked heels to match.

Vintage inspiration:

Vintage Can-Can dancers
(Image via: Deviant Art - MementoMori-stock)

Just look at that wild headpiece!  

Vintage Photograph
(Image via: Flickr)

More plumes and quite the can-can costume: 

Nini Legs-in-the-Air, a Parisian Can-Can dancer.
(Image via: Pinterest)

Pulling some inspiration from the ballet world, this costume from Don Quixote, especially the ruffly skirt, is perfect: 

Olga Semenova in Don Quixote, by Nikolay Krusser.
(Image via: Tumblr)

I really like the flashy embellishments on this tutu:  It's all about texture!  Bring on the lace!  The paste stones!  The gold & hints of black! 

Kitri's Wedding Tutu, Don Quixote Act III, designed by Yuki F.
(Image via: Pinterest)

And, finally, how about a pair of these vivid and unforgettable boots?

Barrette boots, meant to be worn while dancing the tango.
(Image via: Bata Shoe Museum, Pinterest)

Please visit my November Costume Design Challenge Pinterest Board for all of my inspiration images, as well as where you will find the links to the original image sources.  Thanks for reading!