Lise de LaFayette - Tissot 1877 - Historical Costume

The tableau created for my historical project envisioned a beautiful sunny day on a boat in the summer of 1877 Paris, inspired by the fashionable Victorian women depicted by the paintings of James Tissot. My character, Lise de LaFayette is a young graceful and delicate woman in her early 20s who enjoys art, music and culture. She is ultra-feminine and loves to dress up and look beautiful. The three-piece linen day gown reflects her love of opulence with a beaded honey-comb bodice and lace collar. The long skirt with train, pleated hem ruffle and detachable apron are supported by a crinolette, a combination bustle and petticoat underskirt made with steel boning and horsehair ruffles, to give a soft bustle volume to the back of the skirt. The body is shaped with a steel boned corset with padded hips to create the fashionable hourglass silhouette of the era. Her accessories include a linen and lace trimmed parasol with faux-ostrich leather handle, a taffeta and lace reticule purse, crochet gloves and silver brocade shoes. Her hair is styled in a curled up-do with tight ringlets and decorated with flowers as was popular in the late 19th century.

Illustration drawn and colored by hand with mixed media

Technical drawings created in illustrator