The Little Costume Shop

Tuesday, 13 May 2014

The Importance of Craftsmanship

Collect - The International Art Fair for Contemporary Objects began the 9th and ran until the 12th of May at the Saatchi Gallery in London. This event is run every year by the Crafts Council and is well worth a visit as it is one of the most inspiring events of the year. Their goal is to make the UK the best place to make, see, collect and learn about contemporary craft.

There is an intimacy and uniqueness in an object that has been handmade by someone with a refined eye for a craft skill, which can never be replaced by a machine. Each piece is imbued with the story of the maker, however, the more things we buy and consume, the more their origins are taken completely for granted. The focus ends up being on the final product, and hardly any on the significance of the means. An emotional attachment towards handcrafted pieces is so vital to keep this kind of work alive.

At The Little Costume Shop, we aim to showcase the slow perfection of skill and the implicit touch of the human hand in our wedding and costume miniatures, so that it can spark a more intimate connection with the customer and lead to a product with real lifetime value. A miniature handcrafted work of art!

Make sure to visit Collect next year! Purchase your tickets here:
https://yourticketbooking.com/craftscouncil/p/2515/book;jsessionid=AF25234A7A7D92D5B3B495F6A8E05412

Photograph by Richard Wilding

Tuesday, 1 April 2014

Spring is here!

And Spring arose on the garden fair,

Like the Spirit of Love felt everywhere;

And each flower and herb on Earth’s dark breast

Rose from the dreams of its wintry rest.

- Percy Bysshe Shelley. The Sensitive Plant.

Spring is finally in the air! The flowers and trees are slowly returning to life from their winter slumber and the city is transforming. Everything is brighter and more colourful; the sweet smell of blossom is in the air, birds are chirping, and there are hints of a warm summer to come.

Spring is known as a time of rebirth and inspiration and to celebrate we are displaying our limited edition ‘Spring Fairy’ costume miniature from the classical ballet Cinderella.

A longer, classical tutu with a pink tinged hem on the silk tulle skirt, ombreed to a fresh green into the waistline. Garlands of little silk flowers, and shot silk taffeta foliage decorate the tutu, and the bodice. Tiny shimmering wings grow out of the back of the bodice, each with a butterfly spot.

This is a wonderful time for new beginnings; a time of passion, love and the flourishing beauty of our surroundings.

We wish you a very happy Spring!

Our 'Spring Fairy' costume miniature. Photograph by George Chinn.

Spring Blossoms

Lady's Smock Fairy

Our 'Spring Fairy' miniature. Vin's Studio Image.

Birmingham Royal Ballet. Cinderella

Spring Flowers.

The Dandelion Fairy

Close up of our 'Spring Fairy' miniature. Vin's Studio Image.

Side close up of our 'Spring Fairy' miniature. Vin's Studio Image.

The Royal Opera House - Cinderella

Mary Jago as the Spring Fairy in Cinderella

Our 'Spring Fairy' miniature. Photograph by Richard Wilding.

Spring Pattern

Friday, 14 February 2014

Valentine's Day

As fair art thou, my bonnie lass,

So deep in love am I,

And I will love thee still, my dear,

Till a’ the seas gang dry.

- Robert Burns. A Red, Red Rose.

Valentine’s Day is finally here and while the fashion crowd will be spending it with their first love – fashion – as London Fashion Week begins today on the 14th, the rest of us will be focusing our attention on our loved ones.

We are celebrating Valentine’s Day by displaying our ‘Sugarplum Fairy’ costume miniature. A glamorous and decorative tutu made entirely by hand; a sparkling testament to the skill and precision with which The Little Costume Shop creates these miniature works of art.

The skirt and bodice panels are edged in the finest silk taffeta with a rose pink tinged hem on the silk tulle skirt and encrusted with a combination of sparkling Swarovski crystals, seed pearls, and a scattering of very rare, delicately shaped original 1920s gelatine sequins.

Have a wonderful Valentine’s Day!

Our Sugarplum Fairy miniature. Photograph by George Chinn

Sarah Lamb as the Sugarplum Fairy at The Royal Opera House.

1920's Valentine flapper.

Our Sugarplum Fairy. Photograph by George Chinn.

Sugared sugarplums.

Sarah Lamb as The Sugarplum Fairy.

Twirling tutu.

Close up of our Sugarplum Fairy miniature. Vin's studio image.

Cupid.

Vintage Valentine photograph.

Photograph by Richard Wilding.

Vintage photograph. Cupid costume.

Valentine roses.

Close up of our Sugarplum Fairy miniature. Photograph by George Chinn.

Baby cupid.

Crystallised sugarplums.

Vintage fairy photograph.

Our Sugarplum Fairy miniature. Photograph by Richard

Wednesday, 5 February 2014

Carmen

All this is madness, cries a sober Sage:

But who, my friend, has reason in his Rage?

The ruling Passion, be it what it will,

The ruling Passion conquers reason still.

Less mad the wildest whimsey we can frame,

Than ev'n that passion, if it has no aim;

For tho' such motives folly you may call,

The folly's greater to have none at all.

– Alexander Pope ‘Epistle III. Of the Use of Riches. Moral Essays.’

If you had the chance to see Francesca Zambello’s production of Carmen last month at The Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, you will have seen the magnificent set and performances in this stunning show.

The beautiful gypsy Carmen warns any man who loves her to beware, but she does not foresee the fierce passion that she will unleash on Don Jose when she seduces him. This dramatic opera shows the destructive power of seduction that can lead men down the wrong path and cause them to lose everything.

The traditional costumes by Tanya McCallin are what bring the 19^th century Seville to life in all its bustle and excitement. Zambello’s production has been a mainstay of The Royal Opera House calendar since 2006 and has never failed to captivate people each year so be sure to watch it next year!

At The Little Costume Shop, we are displaying our Carmen maquette in celebration of The Royal Opera House production. The corset is made from period textiles and contemporary woven silks. The underskirt is made from multiple shot silk strips, shaded into the waist and hem, and overlaid with distressed silk tulle. The shawl is made out of fine ‘turban’ cotton, printed with tiny sprigs, bordered with a hand knotted fringe of multi coloured strands. Her shoulder wrap is gossamer fine silk, printed with a subtle gold motif and fringed with ombreed shreds and an edging of 1920s gelatine sequins.

This work of art has been scaled down to perfection and will be sure to delight!

If you would like to see one of our costume miniatures up close make sure you see our ‘Queen of the Night,' which is currently on display at The Royal Opera House, Covent Garden in their front of house showcase.