Friday 20 December 2013

A Very Merry Christmas!


Oh the weather outside is frightful, but this Snowflake tutu is so delightful!

Christmas day is almost upon us and once again the month will be a swirl of crackling fires, mince pies, the smell of mulled wine and pine needles, and rustling paper as we hurry to unwrap our presents.

For this festive season the Little Costume Shop is displaying a very special little fairy, one that would work as the ultimate adornment with her rightful place alongside any Christmas tree.  

This dramatic and elaborately decorated Snowflake ballet tutu from the Nutcracker will make the most unique Christmas gift of all this season. Silver tissue glitters beneath the top layer of silk ombreed tulle. The skirt sparkles and shimmers with a smothering of tiny Swarvoski crystals, antique rhinestones, and original beautifully shaped gelatine sequins adding the perfect final touch to a beautifully decorated Christmas.

Invest in a gift for your loved one this Christmas as special as she is; one that will be the perfect companion for any occasion.

Please contact us at vinilla@thelittlecostumeshop.com or sign up to our newsletter to receive more information www.thelittlecostumeshop.com/weddings/contact

Have a very merry Christmas from The Little Costume Shop!
 
Snowflake Fairy Tutu - Top View. Photograph by Richard Wilding. 

Snowflake Fairy Tutu - Close up. Photograph by Richard Wilding. 
Christmas Tree Fairy

Snowflake Fairy Tutu - Photograph by Richard Wilding. 

Vintage Fairies

Snowflake Fairy Tutu - Photograph by George Chinn.

Snowflake Fairy Tutu. Photograph by George Chinn. 

Snowflakes
The snowflake dance from The Nutcracker. 

Fairies.

The Winter Fairy. Photograph by Richard Wilding.

Vintage Christmas Photo.

Vintage Baubles

Snowflake Fairy Tutu at The Royal Opera House


Vintage Christmas Photo
Vogue Christmas Card.

Friday 22 November 2013

Thanksgiving Greetings


Ready or not, Thanksgiving is here!

It’s time to revel in all the goodness Autumn brings: sipping hot chocolate, tucking into pumpkin pie and turkey, brisk walks in the rustling leaves watching them become a rainbow of colours from shades of green, to yellow, orange, gold, and red.

To celebrate this time of year we are displaying our ‘Autumn Fairy’ collectible for those of you who would like to gift your loved ones with the most unique gift of all; a miniature ballet costume!
A highly decorative and glamorous tutu made entirely by hand, with appliquéd skirt and bodice encrusted with a combination of Swarovski crystals, seed pearls and very rare, delicately shaped original 1920’s gelatine sequins glinting through from the top layer of lilac and green tinted silk tulle.

If you would like to invest in a little piece of costume iconography, or have your wedding or bridesmaid’s dress recreated in quarter scale, please contact us at vinilla@thelittlecostumeshop.com or sign up to our newsletter to receive more information www.thelittlecostumeshop.com/weddings/contact

Have a Happy Thanksgiving from The Little Costume Shop!


'Autumn Fairy' - Photograph by Richard Wilding

Doris Day with a turkey

Studio 'work in progress' photos - Vin Burnham

Studio 'work in progress' photos - Vin Burnham

Angela Greene with a turkey - 1940

Studio 'work in progress' photos - Vin Burnham

Marilyn Monroe with a turkey

Studio 'work in progress' photos - Vin Burnham

Studio 'work in progress' photos - Vin Burnham

Studio 'work in progress' photos - Vin Burnham

Riding a turkey

Studio 'work in progress' photos - Vin Burnham

Studio 'work in progress' photos - Vin Burnham

Vintage Thanksgiving card

Studio 'work in progress' photos - Vin Burnham

Studio 'work in progress' photos - Vin Burnham


Monday 11 November 2013

Remembrance Day


In the spirit of Remembrance Day, we at The Little Costume Shop are displaying our miniature red wedding dress in commemoration of those men who fought so bravely on this day in 1918.

As is the case with a poppy, the smaller size of the dress only adds to the beauty along with the draping and beading done by a remarkably skilled hand.

Photograph by George Chinn

 We leave you with this poem "Why Wear a Poppy?" by the poet Dan Crawford.

“Please wear a Poppy,” the lady said,

And held one forth, but I shook my head,

Then I stopped and watched as she offered them there,

And her face was old and lined with care;

But beneath the scars the years had made

There remained a smile that refused to fade. 

A boy came whistling down the street,

Bouncing along on carefree feet,

His smile was full of joy and fun:

“Lady,” said he, “May I have one?”

When she pinned it on he turned to say,

“Why do we wear a poppy today?”
 


The lady smiled in her wistful way,

And answered, “This is Remembrance Day,

And the poppy there is a symbol for

The gallant ones who died in war,

And because they did, you and I are free,

That’s why we wear the poppy, you see.
 


I had a boy about your size,

With golden hair and big blue eyes.

He loved to play and jump and shout,

Free as a bird he would race about.

As the years went by he learned and grew,

And became a man – as you will, too.
 


But the war went on and he had to stay,

And all I could do was wait and pray.

His letters told of the dreadful plight,

(I can see it still in my dreams at night)

With the tanks and guns and cruel barbed wire,

and the mines and bullets, the bombs and fire.
 


Till at last, at last, the war was won –

And that’s why we wear a poppy, son.”

The small boy turned as if to go,

Then said, “Thanks lady, I’m glad to know,

That sure did sound like an awful fight,

But your son – did he come back all right?”
 


A tear rolled down each faded cheek:

She shook her head but didn’t speak.

I slunk away in a sort of shame,

And if you were me you’d have done the same:

For our thanks, in giving, is oft delayed

Though our freedom was bought

And thousands paid.
 


And so when we see a poppy worn,

Let us reflect on the burden borne,

By those who gave their very all,

When asked to answer their country’s call.

That we at home in peace might live.
 


Then wear a poppy,

Remember

And give.



Tuesday 5 November 2013

It's Guy Fawkes Night!


Wishing you a very happy Guy Fawkes Night from The Little Costume Shop!

It’s that time of year again to huddle around a bonfire and watch the sky twinkle, crackle and pop with all the different shapes and colours of the fireworks. 

To celebrate we present to you our miniature ballet costume ‘The Sugar Plum Fairy;’ an explosion of pink tinted silk tulle encrusted with shimmering 1920’s gelatine sequins, Swarovski crystals and seed pearls. A unique and beautiful gift that would delight anyone with an eye for glamour and sparkle!

Photography by George Chinn

Photography by George Chinn


Thursday 31 October 2013

Happy Halloween!


The Little Costume Shop wishes you a very happy Halloween!! To celebrate this spooky time of year we are displaying our ‘Bad Black Bat’ miniature ballet costume. Made entirely by hand, this quarter scale maquette comprises of a silk tulle dress with a blood red underskirt and tiny slime green 1920’s gelatine sequins. The bodice is appliquéd with vintage black lace and the wings are made of latex and dead leaf spines.

Does it remind you of a certain caped crusader? Created by the very same hand that brought you the original Batsuit, Penguin and Catwoman costumes for Batman Returns, this makes a wonderful piece of costume iconography to invest in, contact vinilla@thelittlecostumeshop.com or sign up to our newsletter to receive more information. www.thelittlecostumeshop.com/weddings/contact


'Bad Black Bat' Photograph by George Chinn

Batman Returns

Catwoman from Batman Returns

Penguin from Batman Returns

'Bad Black Bat' Photograph by Richard Wilding
Batman Returns

Halloween  Time

Bat Lady Costume

Cuddling Bats

Saturday 28 September 2013

Strictly Come Dancing is Back!


Darcey Bussell, world-renowned prima ballerina, has returned as a judge on the TV series ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ now in it’s 10th year!  She is also the proud owner of one of our miniature ballet costumes; The Lilac Fairy.  She says:

“The Little Costume Shop’s miniature costumes are little works of Art, which will delight any collector. I really enjoy my beautiful ‘Lilac Fairy’ costume as it’s a great reminder of my very first solo with the Royal Ballet Company (Covent Garden). It is very special.”

If you would like to invest in a little piece of costume design iconography, or have your wedding or bridesmaid’s dress recreated in quarter scale, please contact us at vinilla@thelittlecostumeshop.com or sign up to our newsletter to receive more information   www.thelittlecostumeshop.com/weddings/contact

Darcey Bussell and our Lilac Fairy. Photograph by Becky Maynes
The Lilac Fairy. Photography by George Chinn
Close up shot of our Lilac Fairy. Photograph by George Chinn

Darcey Bussell, principal dancer of The Royal Ballet

Darcey Bussell at the Olympics 2012 closing ceremony

Darcey Bussell on Strictly Come Dancing

Darcey Bussell on Strictly Come Dancing

Darcey Bussell on Strictly Come Dancin

Darcey Bussell as The Black Swan 

Our Lilac Fairy costume miniature. Photograph by Richard Wilding

Our 'Odile' costume miniature - The Black Swan from Swan Lake

Our 'Odile' costume miniature - The Black Swan from Swan Lake