American Duchess Historic Shoes Blog
Studying Up on Tudor Footwear
Tudor shoes are old. They're about as old as we get for extant shoes, with the exception of a very few Medieval examples. It's quite extraordinary, really, and even more...
"Virginia" Renaissance Shoes GIVEAWAY!
Today's the day, my darling dears - "Virginia," our new Renaissance shoe, has opened for pre-order, which also means it's giveaway time! Here's the lo-down on Virginia: All-leather construction: upper,...
How One Fugly Loafer Became the Gorgeous "Virginia" Renaissance Shoe
The development story of our new "Virginia" Renaissance shoes is rather a long one (but I'll keep it short, with lots of pictures, promise!). We've been working on the design...
A Quick Look At Late Elizabethan/Early Jacobean Shoes
Today we kick off a series on European footwear at the end of Elizabeth I's reign, and beginning of James I's, culminating on Friday with the pre-order release of our...
On Location at Bacon's Castle - Journey to the 17th, 18th, and 19th Centuries
The Lady of Portland House shines in "Antoinette" Mules in blue While I was in Virginia this past March, I had the opportunity to work with some truly wonderful ladies...
Ladies' Elizabethan Separates Explored
Last time, I was musing over trim styles on doublets, but towards the end of that post I realized that perhaps the design I had in mind was a "fair-ism,"...
My Annual Sewing Rut
Once again, I have absolutely no motivation to make a single stitch of anything lately. I've learned that this is quite normal, and that if I force the issue I'll...
Elizabethan Costume Modeling at Nevada Museum of Art
This past weekend I modeled again for the painting class at the Nevada Museum of Art. It's quite an enjoyable experience, even though sitting still for 3 hours is difficult....
Introducing "Stratford" Elizabethan Shoes for Men and Women
I'm so happy to present to you "Stratford" Elizabethan Shoes, the product of blood, sweat, tears, and a great collaboration with Francis C. Classe, an excellent historical cordwainer (shoemaker) and...