Sunday, March 8, 2015

A Mid Starry Night

All photographs are self portraits taken by myself using a tripod and self timer.
Clothing design + styling:  Esther Boller

From my past few previous posts, you've probably noticed that I have a thing for the Shakespeare play, A MidSummer Nights Dream.  It's pure magic!  I watched it for the first time this past summer and became completely enchanted by the story.   Although, I mostly fell in love with the whimsical and gorgeous costumes and set design.  I went on a Midsummer Night's kick and watched every movie variation that I could find.  I saw the 1935s film which is by far one of my favorite versions.  I've included a few screen shots below that are just too beautiful not to share.  


That film was the inspiration for this photo shoot.  This entire shoot was about recreating a bit of the magic that I felt while watching this movie.  I made everything that I'm wearing.  The beaded blouse is made from an old beaded skirt that I bought at Goodwill on 50% off day.  I cut a wrap design from it then hand sewed the pieces together and finished off the edges by hand sewing silk bias tape. 


The headband is also made from the same Goodwill skirt that was used to make the bodice.  I cut around the floral beaded design and then ironed on a heavy interfacing to make it stable and stiff.  I later glued the pieces together to a piece of ribbon.  In an upcoming post I'll be sharing a tutorial showing how to make the headband that I wore in this shoot.  This one is pretty over the top, but I'll show a more wearable variation.  



Making this skirt was a lot of fun!  I made it over the summer as a fun side project that I could pick up and hand sew whenever I had down time from working.  Each petal was hand cut to the shape of a flower petal.  Once shaped, I took a lighter around the edges to melt the sides so that it wouldn't fray.  This was before I found out about laser cutting (which I talked about in my previous post).  Then, one by one, I hand stitched each petal to the skirt making a petal gradient.  

It's currently the last week of finals, and I'm very excited to share what I'm making!   The final is one look that includes a jacket, trousers, and a knit top.  Below is a preview photo of my jacket that I posted on instagram.
I also still have a lot of projects from the summer to share with you (I have over 64 GB worth of unedited photos from the summer still - Oops.)  I'm hoping to catch up and share more of the summer projects over spring break next week.

Thanks for keeping up with my work!  

24 comments:

  1. wow these pictures are amazing esther!
    also the light on you, i'm curious if you did use an extra light apart from those little 'christmas'-lights that can already be seen on the pictures? :)

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  2. I love this dress! absolutely awesome mood and tone<3

    www.bstylevoyage.blogspot.com

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  3. Oh my gosh. This is absolutely beautiful! You are incredibly talented.

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  4. wow….your work has morph'd into something crazy-beautiful and i absolutely adore everything i see.

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  5. Amazing! and so very Midsummer nights dream! I love the dress and crown. so dreamy and Titania like. Now all you need is for a donkey headed man to stumble upon your magical grotto!

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  6. Love the skirt/top/headband you made from the goodwill piece. You are so talented. Photos are beautiful!

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  7. Your photos have a defnite Maxfield Parrish vibe to them which is lovely and feminine. Your coat project for the final is beautiful wrought. I am particularly impressed with the matching of your seams. Gorgeous! Is that a gold paint on the base fabric in back or did it come that way? It's a beautiful look.

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  8. Thank you for increasing my inspiration and whimsy levels with your blog posts!

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  9. Good stuff Esther, I love that dress and the whole ethereal - ness, pulled off with aplomb. Your coat us also intriguing - so clever, you're going to go far.

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  10. The skirt is so beautiful and labourious... I love it. And the photographs are magic, dreamlike and sensitive. It is a beautiful post.

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  11. Every time you do one of these photo shoots, I find myself floating off in a cloud of whimsy... :) I am in love with these ethereal photos, and I love your inspiration too - so delightful :).
    Also, how did you create the 30's style glamour lighting?

    xX Zoe | http://life-gazing-and-wildstrawberries.blogspot.com/

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  12. these are just gorgeous, i love the photos. and everything you sew is always so detailed and beautiful! i really need to watch the 1935 version:-) and good luck with your finals! xx

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  13. This was a great post. That first still makes me think of some of Gustav Dore's prints from Dante's Divine Comedy. Some of your shots make me think of Alphonse Mucha's work. And, can I just say: you are the master of the million pattern piece garment. That's coat's fabulous! I can't wait to see the rest of your final, and...everything! Love your work.

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  14. Esther you blow me away, EVERY TIME. The photos are incredible and the sewing is too! Keep doing what you're doing, girl!!

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  15. Beautiful! I can't wait to see what you do next.

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  16. You created wonderful atmosphere. Photos are great so you are. And the skirt looks amazing!

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  17. this is so unbelievable, you have an extreme talent! Do you use a remote to focus when you take self portraits or do you just focus before you go in front of the camera?

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  18. Beautiful! You look just like a fairy princess.

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  19. Oh my gosh, such a beautiful shoot! Love the outfit and the styling!

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  20. I found you through Closetcase Files. This IS truly a magical dream.

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  21. All pictures are very nice and thanks for share.

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  22. Gorgeous! Such an inspiring shoot and the dress is wonderful!

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