Dress #118: Charles James ballgown in pale blue and blue-green Skulls designed by Michele Clapton

designed by Michele Clapton

though it looks quite peculiar when one is not on the horse

which translates as ‘Monstrous seahorse’

accented with silver paper and an acrylic rhinestone

It’s styled to fit over a bustled skirt

Dress #118: Charles James ballgown in pale blue and blue-green Skulls designed by Michele ClaptonThis hand stitched paper dress is based on a ballgown created by Charles James between 1950 1952; the original is held by the Metropolitan Museum of Art (accession C. I. 65. 36. 1). For this ballgown, James took inspiration from the late nineteenth century with swags of pale blue silk satin gathered at the front and back over a blue green silk taffeta underskirt, forming a miniature bustle. Charles James is considered by the Met to be the only