Yep, one step out into the rain and these stunning dresses would dissolve into wood pulp. They are made 100% out of paper. Hard to believe, right? At a passing glance, even the close up can almost fool a costume enthusiast. Looks like very stiff silk.
Isabelle de Borchgrave, painter by training turned costume artist by passion, wields rag paper with the lightest touch, stenciling, shaping, and voila! 18th century costume that nobody can wear. All the more delightful, I say. I love unusual art and this is no exception. Working with textile designers, de Borchgrave also recreates Medici and Elizabethan costume, as well as various other periods, including recreating looks from paintings like Van Dyck. Her work was most recently shown at the Legion of Honor is San Francisco, but unfortunately, the exhibition ended a few weeks ago. Watch the video below if you’ve 11 minutes of concentration to spare.
Otherwise, here’s a couple more 18th century lovelies:
Court dress with panniers
Men’s waistcoats, coats, and lace cravat/jabot
For more pics and info:
Fine Arts Museum of San Francisco
Pulp Fashion: The Art of Isabelle de Borchgrave
The paper costumes are amazing and so beautifully done. Thanks !!
I know, they’re really unbelievable. I’d love to see them in person.
Reblogged this on EuroArts.
Fascinating, stimulating, inspiring . ..