A 'Spanish' gown with a skirt of flounces of silk and metallic laces, and a bodice of a patterned stretch velour. Lace flounces at the elbows, and a wire-framed headpiece.

My gypsy dress. Gorgeously full-skirted, (twelve meters at the hem!), made of inexpensive satin. Fitted bodice with a wide lace ruffled neckline and lace at the wrists. A dress in which I feel wild and free.

"Queen of the Night" - An early effort of mine, before I'd learned dress-making, when I was putting costumes together from bits and pieces of second-hand dresses. This one used the attractively embroidered bodice of a cocktail frock and the full tulle skirts of another gown, over which I added the metallic net flounced overskirt and tulle sleeves from yet another frock. The sequinned belt and headdress, with the long curly wig, effectively set off the costume. I greatly enjoyed wearing it to an Arts Ball.

"Tatiana" - a red silk appliqued gown, a labour of love; over a very full silk skirt there is a layer of silk organza appliqued with ornate patterns of silk - repeated on the sleeves. The bodice is a shiny fabric, and the neckline decorated with a beaded trim, as is the headpiece.

This photo is out of the archives - it's one of the first I ever took of myself, back in the seventies. I was so thrilled to find this fabulous ballroom frock, with its masses of net petticoats. It was by far the most spectacular dress in my collection at the time. I embellished it with the lace sleeves, and trim at neck and wrists. But I never dared go out looking like this!

 

Here's my latest creation, a kind of fantasy showgirl costume such as might be seen at the circus!
As you can see, the underskirts are extremely full!
Do you like the headdress?