A couple of weeks ago I visited the Hillwood Estate in DC. The first time I visited was during last year's Seersucker Social, but I was too sick to walk around and enjoy the estate.
This time my aim was to see the Pret a Papier exhibit of the work of Isabelle de Borchgrave.
Isn't that a beautiful dress? Is it made of silk, cotton? Is the lace Belgian? Well, the lace is Belgian because the artist is, but it's made entirely of paper. Amazing. I didn't know what to expect with the dresses. Once you know they're paper you can tell (mostly), but without that knowledge I would be a little stumped, I think.
The lace was one of the best details, in my opinion. She uses very very fine transparent paper and the carefully paints the lace design and scallops with scissors. Close up you can tell it's created with paint, but from a few feet away the likeness is pretty astounding.
The Hillwood commissioned several pieces for the exhibition based on portraits in their collection. They displayed the dresses with the paintings by which they were inspired (here is another one, though I think this piece had already been created based on another of the artist's works).
The artist creates her own prints, including plaids and florals. I loved the delicate print to this French court-style gown. And don't miss a close-up of that waist adornment.
Everything is made of paper, including the jewels and other non-fabric decorative elements.
The artist even created shoes to go with some of the items!
Unfortunately, this whole post is sort of a tease. I went to the exhibit on the next to last day. It closed on January 21.
However, there are still plenty of reasons to visit the Hillwood for fashion inspiration! There are many portraits throughout the estate, some from past centuries and some more recent. I loved the flapper vibe to this one.
In addition, there are display cases with jewelry and knick knacks in various rooms of the estate. I was really charmed (heh, punny) by this egg charm necklace. And if you notice the emerald brooch in the photo above--the real thing is displayed in the bedroom closet and it is jaw-dropping.
The grounds are not to be missed. The Japanese garden is beautiful even during the winter.
And if it's too cold to enjoy the grounds (January 20 turned out to be a ridiculously nice day--I walked around with only a sweater), there is always the greenhouse to get your orchid fix.
Though I am spoiled by DC's copious free museums (the Hillwood is $15 per adult), it is definitely worth a visit!
There are several more dresses and details to look at here.
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8 comments:
Wow. I would not have guessed that was paper! Until you told me of course... But even then from a photo it was difficult to notice. Incredible!
How fun. I love costume history. Those shoes are a knockout, as are all the dresses. I wonder how different are the construction methods for the paper reproductions than for the fabric versions.
That brooch must be amazing.
I saw a major exhibit of her work in San Francisco a couple of years ago--I was absolutely blown away! Part of the exhibit was devoted to the work of Fortuny.
Do you read Sigrid's blog? She posted a video today re: hand-made Chanel fabric. I thought the relationship between your post and hers a very happy conjunction. People do make some lovely things. Thanks for the post (aha, no pun intended) about Hillwood.
I visited DC for the first time last year and spent a day at Hillwood. Amazing place! Thanks for the pictures of the paper fashions. I was pretty skeptical because, as a sewer, I figured why waste time with paper, which seems pretty easy to manipulate - just recreate them in fabric. But I can see it now, in your pictures - magical! Thanks!
that looks fantastic, there was an exhibit last year here in SF of her work and I am sorry I missed it. thanks for the great photos.
Türkiye'den selamlar gönderiyorum. Bloğunun tamamını gezdim. Çok beğendim. Ben de bazan dikiş dikiyorum. Ama dikiş için vaktim az. Senin bloğunu izlemeye aldım. Artık sık sık gelip neler yaptığını izleyebilirim:)
Lovely! Thanks for posting this about the Estate.
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