NOTE: This dress is currently up for auction on ebay! [link]


I made this a year and a half ago for an anime convention, an original design for the character Isabella from the anime/manga Paradise kiss. She is very historical in her style so I used a variety of styles and techniques I have seen on extant Victorian gowns to help it be as close to historically accurate as possible.

This dress was designed to go over a corset and bustle cage. Over 120 hours went into making it.

The materials used are a cream antique satin, royal purple crepe satin, velvet ribbon, yards and yards of black pleated lace with satin ribbon edging, and about 200 glass pearls hand sewn to the bodice, skirt, overskirt, and bustle. The bodice is lined with a cream satin.

The dress is made in four pieces:

* Bodice: Square neck bodice with purple middle front and back panels. Sides in antique cream. Front panel is accented with criss crossed black ribbon and glass pearls. A faux "skirt" of black pleated lace is sewn around the bottom. Two layers of sleeves, purple bell shape sleeve on top, with cream under-sleeve. The under-sleeve has black insertion lace so that you can pull a ribbon and it will fit the sleeve to your arm. It is also edged in the same black pleated lace as the skirt and bustle. Closes in back via lacing through gold tone grommets. Neckline is accented in a wonderful hand made ribbon trim and black lace completes the look.

* Underskirt: Made of cream antique satin. The front panel is quilted and then hand beaded with glass pearls. Sides done in black velvet ribbon, and a strip of the same hand made trim is along the bottom hem. Skirt has a slight train in the back. Has a lacing closure in center back.

* Bustle and Over-Skirt: Attached to the same waistband for ease of wearing with front closure. Dress can be worn with or without this piece. Over-skirt is made of purple crepe satin, with black lace criss cross details and glass pearls. Bustle train can be adjusted for size via ribbons underneath that can be pulled and tied. Hand-sewn glass pearls dot the bustle which give it a unique flair. Don't worry, it's perfectly comfortable to sit down in this costume! There is a faux tie back in the middle of the train and the end is accented in criss crossing black ribbon and lace.

* Petticoat Not seen. Pale peach cotton drawstring petticoat with lace edging.