A few pictures from the 18th century erotic calendar

You may remember that Gustafs Skål produced a calendar for 2013 and both I and J were involved. The theme was erotic, but the 18^th century way, with a raised hemline there and a stolen kiss there. 2013 is long since over, so I thought I should show you a few of the pictures. They were all based of period paintings and pictures, but we did not set out to copy the pictures.

The photographer is Staffan Huss, you can find his web page here. All the models were, at the time, members of Gustafs Skål and none of us are professionals. All the clothes and some of the props belonged to us. All the pictures were taken at Kristinehovsmalmgård, an 18^th century manor house in Stockholm.

A stolen kiss, originally depicted by Nicolas Lafrensen.

Models: Barbro Hellmin, Natalie Hulsin and Henry Wölling

The original is called The Indiscrete Wife and I don't know who originally created it.

Models: Agneta Stehager, Carina Rosén and Henry Rosén

This is one of the best photos. You wouldn't believe what a mess the attic was, but it turned out amazing!

Model: Caroline Eklund

 

Le Lever de Fanchon by Nicolas Bernard Lépicié, 1773

 

 

I was a bit shocked when we looked through the pictures and I realized that our picture was the raciest of them all! The painting, Jean-Honoré Fragonard, can be found in several version and the one we used is called The Beautiful Servant Girl. Other versions, however, are called The Useless Resistance... My first model experience, so the stiffness isn't only due to the stays.

Models: Elisa Edgren and Jan Schmidt

Take a peek at Anna's shoe. She is a shoemaker and have made it herself!

Models: Anna Lindqvist and Henry Rosén

Elégante à sa toilette by Michel Garnier, 1796

 

The title of the original painting is Mme. de Bouvillon Tempts Fate by Asking Ragotin to Search for a Flea. We tried to find a way to incorprorate a dog and a cat because of the great symbolic value, the dog stands for fidelity and the cat for female sexuality (note the cat on the attic painting above), but unfortunately we couldn't.

 

Models: Martin Lejon and Marianne Berndt

Jean-Baptiste Pater

Happy New Year, everybody!

(Spacecat Spiff just waking up from a refreshing nap in the box for Christmas stuff)

If you feel the need to be benevolent, let me direct you here:

http://lysupp.fortumkampanj.se/places/434/

The company promise to put a light up at a public place in Stockholm and this is the place to vote for one. The park where Kristinehovs malmgård (the 18th century house I’ve talked about) is located is awfully dark, and a lamp would be very welcome. If you click on the button, you will give that particular park a vote.

Food and burlesque clubs

I’m lazy; so here is the post I had imagined I would post last Sunday. Oh well. I had a very nice last Saturday, beginning the evening with eating Christmas food at Kristinehovs malmgård. And not any Christmas food, but an 18th century one. I think you will agree that that it looks very nice. Those pictures are from the day after when Gustafs Skål had their own little party, but I went with my family and didn’t dress up in 18th century clothes. I was still wearing a corset though, so before the dessert I had to sneak into the toilet and unlace me a little bit…

When we had eaten ourselves almost comatose my family departed home and we continues to Hootchy Kootchy Club, which is a burlesque club. I’ve wanted to go there for ages, but have had little difficulties finding the time. I’ve heard that it’s good, but I had no idea what to expect. I enjoyed myself immensely though. It was a very nice atmosphere and people really dressed up, ranging from vintage to burlesque. Evidently there is also a theme to every occasion and this time it was the Adams family, so there was a lot of Morticia’s and Gomez’ around. There were also a small group of young men in very ordinary clothes and a rather dazed look that was overheard to say out aloud in the men’s room; “What kind of place is this?”, so they probably got there by mistake.

There was a show, which was mostly good. There was a stripper who is a little person, Selena Luna, also a very pregnant woman in very little clothes and two great singers. I must say that they all looked great and proved, if that really needs to be proved, that female beauty is so much more than what media tries to make us believe. There was also some numbers that was more ludicrous than anything else, too, though. If you don’t mind nudity, then there are some nice photos here.

And now I’m sure that you are all dying to know what I wore to this occasion. I think I can safely say that I was one of the more understated ladies there. Unfortunately I didn’t get around having any pictures taken until we got home, and then only with a cell phone, so the quality isn’t the best.



I’ve had the dress for ages, but it’s been a bit too tight. I was very pleased to discover that it’s almost a little loose now. I didn’t need to wear a corset underneath, but it do gives you a nicer shape. Besides, I like wearing corsets, albeit the next time I’m NOT going to stuff myself with Christmas food first. I had managed some very nice finger waves, but the damp weather and the late hour make them a little indistinct on the picture. To this I wore these shoes:

I wanted to make a little fascinator and almost got it done. However, the veil gave me trouble and I felt that I wanted to dress up at leisure rather than to sew myself into frenzy. I’m pretty pleased with it, though and I’m sure I will have an opportunity to wear it at a later occasion.

The base is a piece of felt carpet that works very well to make hat outs- I’ve made several. I padded it a little and covered with some stretch velvet. The decorations are all form my grandmother’s hat decoration stash. Spangles, a piece of fancy cord, the feather and the veil. The veil has some unsightly holes in it, which is why it gave me trouble, as I want to drape it nicely, but I’m sure I will get it right eventually. Instead I wore a spray of silver flowers with white stones in, so I think my hair was nicely decorated anyway.

And as I said, I had a great time and I look forward to go again!

Having had a very nice weekend

At least I had a great time holding my lecture. It seemed that my audience enjoyed it too. No nig boo-boo’s, if you don’t count the moment when the ribbon in my pocket hoops gave way and it suddenly was on the floor, and not on my hips. The blame on that is on Spacecat Spiff, who seems to regard string and ribbons as things he is to chew on- and through... I also got a little rushed for time, which at first surprised me, as I’ve been doing this before. But I had two models this year instead of one, and of course that filled up more time. I had quite a bit that I didn’t have time to mention, but I guess it’s better than the opposite. You know, when the speaker say about 20 minutes before the end that well, that was all s/he had to say and any questions?

One thing I really wanted to say was this, though; did you know that Madame Pompadour had several pair of drawers made of black, knitted silk?

I’m going to write a post about doing the make-up, but as I want that to be as good as possible, I won’t rush it. It ought to come later in the week, though.

I didn’t have time to go on more than one lecture than my own, but that was a dancing lesson. A lot of fun, though I had danced all of them before, though my legs ache a bit today. Always nice to be able to practice a little. I would like to go on the 18th century cooking class, one day, and the minuet class.

In the evening we had a little Salon, but I was very tired and didn’t stay long. It was very nice as long as I stayed, though. And Kristinehof has turned into such a wonderful 18th century house now. It was also fun to be able to talk with Lithia Black in person and I hope she didn’t find the dress I lent her too unbecoming. I should have taken a picture of her. And I should have had someone to take a picture of me, but I didn’t. But here is a very nice picture of the evening that sets the tone very nicely:

Vauxhall at Kristinehof

The Vauxhall was quite lovely and I really enjoyed myself. I was also very pleased with my gown. I made a small pad for the back, which I think improved the look.



Frida kindly acted out 18th century cat before we left. Isn't she adorable? She's completely blind, but that doesn't stop her from much.










Annali was very elegant in hat and spencer, but the gown in itself was very pretty too. I love the back!




Borrowing and trying out Annali's hat.




I think formidable is the right word for carinarosen here.




Sisters








Madame Berg


It was a beautiful and warm evening, so we enjoyed a game of “Questions and answers” in the garden.




Monsieur J, obviously channelling Gustaf III...


A few more pictures can be found at Gustafs Skål's blogg:

http://gustafsskal.blogspot.com/2009/09/vauxhallen-borjar-min-bror-mangden-ar.html