Couture with all its embellishments galore.

Afternoon dress Haute Couture PE 1953 , Collection Dior

Valentino Spring 2008 Couture 

 Valentino Garavani, fashion,

Valentino Spring 2008 Couture fashion

Regal Ballgown, Balmain copy, 1958

Christian Dior Spring 2008

Dior Spring 2011

Bolinhos de Laranja "Little Orange Cakes"

 Makes 24

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
grated zest of 2 oranges
4 eggs
1 1/4 cup sugar
1 cup fresh orange juice
1 cup unsalted butter, melted

1 teaspoon vanilla

Sanding sugar

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350F. Grease 2 muffin pans.

2. In a bowl combine flour, baking powder, salt and orange zest.

3. In a separate bowl combine eggs and sugar and beat with an electric mixer for 3 minutes or until the eggs are pale yellow and fall in ribbons. Stir in orange juice, butter and vanilla until well combined.

4. Stir in the dry ingredients until just combined. The mixture will froth a little. Pour the batter into the muffin cups filling them 3/4 of the way up.

5. Bake for 13-14 minutes or until the edges start to brown. Sprinkle the top of each cake with some sanding sugar and return pans to the oven. Turn the oven off and leave them in there for 2 minutes.

6. Allow the pans to cool 5 minutes then run a knife around the edge of each cake and gently unmold. Let the cakes cool completely.

www.myportuguesekitchen.com

Create your own style and wear it with confidence.

 

Haute Couture and its intricacy work.

A favorite of movie stars such as Sophia Loren and Gina Lollobrigida, Italian couturier Emilio Schuberth was known for his exquisitely crafted, ultra feminine clothing. He emphasized this dress’s hourglass shape with garlands of fabric flowers and beaded leaves. The white and metallic beads of some leaves are placed on edge to form Vs, adding to the decoration’s three-dimensionality.

 around 1961, designed by Emilio Schuberth

Inspired by the mismatched buttons his grandmother used to mend his shirts back in Mississippi, Patrick Kelly adopted colorful, oversized buttons as his signature. His brilliant and versatile fashion vision transformed the everyday into joyfully exuberant designs. Happy National Button Day!

 Fall/Winter 1987, by Patrick Kelly 

Inspired by his Spanish heritage, master couturier Cristóbal Balenciaga reinterpreted a flamenco dancer’s full, flounced dress. In his version, black organza petals cascade down the skirt front, softly framed by the cutaway skirt of a removable white cotton overdress.

 Spring 1951, designed by Cristóbal Balenciaga 

Designed in his twenty-fifth year as the designer for Dior, this ensemble illustrates Marc Bohan’s refined proportions, masterful way with fabric, and aesthetic. The silk fabric known as gazar is exquisitely pleated and draped to form a slim wrap-around skirt, high-waisted cummerbund, and one-shouldered bodice topped by a substantial bow. An asymmetrical, cocoonlike cape, which leaves the bow exposed, completes this haute couture design.

 Summer 1983, designed by Marc Bohan

                                                                                       Couture ballgowns

                

                     Theo Graham (L) is wearing Dior's evening gown 'Junon' and Dorian is    

                 wearing 'Venus'.

House of Pingat French, c. 1878 detail.”

A rose embroidered bridal/evening gown circa 1912, superbly worked with dog-roses with overlay of beaded tulle;

Inspirational Story. - THE MARBLE STATUE

 

 THE MARBLE STATUE

In the middle of a beautiful city, there was a museum laid with beautiful marble tiles and with a huge marble statue as a part of the display.  Many people from all over the world visited the museum every day and admired the beautifully crafted statue. One night, the marble tiles started talking to the marble statue.

Marble Tiles: Hey statue, Don’t you think that it is just not fair that everybody from all over the world come all the way here to admire you while ignoring and stepping on me.

Marble Statue: My dear brother, marble tile, Don’t you remember we are actually from the same cave.

Marble Tile: Yes! I do, that is why i feel it is even more unfair. Both of us were born from the same cave and yet the world treats us so differently now. This is so unfair!

Marble Statue: Yes you are right my brother. But, do you still remember the day when the sculptor tried to work on you but you resisted his tools.

Marble Tiles: Yes, I despise that guy. How could he use those nasty tools on me.

Marble Statue: Well, Since you resisted his tools he couldn’t work on you. When he decided to give up on you, he started working on me instead. I knew at once that i would be something different and unique after his efforts. I bore all the painful tools he used on me and allowed him craft me as he wanted!

Marble Tiles: But those tools were so painful.

Marble Statue: My brother, there is a price for everything in life. Since, you decided to resist and gave up half way, you can’t blame anybody who steps on you now.!

The marble tiles silently listened to his brothers words. and started to reflect on it.

Moral: The harder the knocks you go through in life, the more you learn and put them to use in the future! Do not be discouraged by setbacks and failures! Keep trying to be better.