2nd Annual Grand Oscarian Ball, 2014

This event has quickly become my favorite ball of the year. There's something so magical in waltzing to music played by a live orchestra. And the venue we have had the pleasure to go to these two times is stunning.

When I got the word that the ball is being held again this year, I didn't hesitate for a moment before signing up. Fortunately I had already made a suitable dress last year. Building a wardrobe I sorely need for regency and 1740's events later this spring is keeping me very busy. Too busy to have been able to fit in another dress project. To my embarrassment it is pale pink and simple, just like the one I wore to the first ball a year earlier. But I wish for a 3rd annual ball and, if my wish is granted, I'm determined to finally have a grand and colorful bustle dress.

Upon arrival we were greeted by Russian folk singers in traditional dress to set the atmosphere. Menuett Akademien had chosen a Russian theme for this year and, as a fan of Tolstoy's Anna Karenina, I loved it. We were also announced by name upon entering the ball room which I thought was delightful. I was traveling with my friends Riikka and Ida again this year and once we got settled we set out to fill our dance cards for the evening. The amount of gorgeous dresses blew me away. It was evident that everyone had given their best effort to dress up for the occasion. There were also a few uniforms and some men had outdone themselves and had grown impressive moustaches. Most delightful!

To preserve the historical atmosphere, general photographing is restricted during the ball, but the amazing Caroline got a few photos us Finns waltzing and generously gave me the permission to post them here.

Big thanks to Menuett Akademien for making this happen again. And also thanks to the men who braved the dance floor with me, Ragnar, Per, Thomas, Johan and Olof! And Ida and Riikka for keeping me company the whole day and helping me to get dressed.

Christmas Ball, 2013

The annual Christmas Ball was held again on the last weekend of November in Suomenlinna. I arrived several hours before the ball to meet with a group of pretty ladies from the North. After changing in to our evening attire, we braved the hard and cold wind and walked across the island to visit Ehrensvärd Museum. Sanna had just made a pair of new dresses, including the gorgeous new saque she wore to the ball, and the museum provided a great photo opportunity. 

I wore my silver embroidered gown. 

My husband got me a new fan as an early birthday present. It's my third fan from Aurora and it might be my favorite of them all. I love the simple neoclassical design.

I thought that the sparkly sequined fan went well with the glittering embroidery of the dress. An effect that's impossible to capture with camera though. I tried playing with sharpness to try to bring it out more, but it's beyond my photo editing skills.

Parts of the exhibition were unfortunately closed but there were still some nice objects to see. 

In my pre ball excitement I asked my husband to take photos of two portraits of ladies wearing court gowns but I completely forgot to ask photos of the labels. So I must apologize for not being able to tell more about them until I visit the museum again.

There were also several examples of gorgeous tilework and of course I had to pose in front of all of them. 

The view from one of the windows.

The ball was held in Tenalji von Fersen, the old granary of the fortress bakery, built in 1775. I love the high arched ceiling. These photos were taken before the ball during an 18th century fair, open for spectators.

The musketeers had several presentations during the day. 

After sundown the ball begun. We started with a terrific 18th century style dinner. I have so much admiration to our cooks, especially Marianne who has, for several years now, come to cook for us all the way from Sweden. Also, some of the foods were presented in clever and debauched arrangements which was highly amusing. 

I was also extremely happy to get to meet Isis for the first time. I loved her new dress. And it was wonderful to get to witness the effects of her authentic 18th century cosmetics in person. I was so impressed with the beautiful glow it created for her skin. 

Just before dessert my evening took a turn for worse and all of a sudden I didn't feel well at all. It got so bad that there was no way I could have stayed any longer. I had to leave before the ball properly even started so regrettably I don't have any photos of any of the guests in their evening finery. And I was crushed that the time spent with friends was cut so short. I hope everyone had a wonderful time and I look forward to hearing all about it soon.

A masquerade dress and a truly scary mask

I'm currently awfully busy trying to make my ambitiously planned Costume College wardrobe happen and when the accomplished people of Tampere announced that they were going to be hosting an 18th century masquerade, I knew I couldn't even think about making anything new to wear. Or even re-trim an old one. But I didn't want to pass an opportunity to do some period dancing. And, more importantly, to see friends who are scattered so far all around Finland that they might as well be living abroad. 

So the dress had to come from my existing wardrobe. I chose the black round gown because the severity of the color makes it one of my most unusual 18th century gowns and so, perhaps, most masquerade-like. 

I also struggled with coming up with an idea for a mask. A thought of a fancy, flirty and decorative mask didn't sound tempting at all to me this time. So I turned to 18th century portraits for inspiration and I chose a simple black moretta mask. I bought a cheap leather version and cut it a little smaller and the eye holes larger to look more like the ones seen in the portraits. Then I tried it on and it looked so freaky and scary that I almost chickened out of wearing it. But with no plan B, it had to do. 

And here it is, 18th century minimalism with a touch of spookiness. 

And now, brace yourselves.

Luckily the other guests had had more time to get ready and make costumes and there were many detailed, cute, exotic, alluring and funny ones for us to admire. And I did get to dance. And met friends. Heard all kinds of wonderful things. And got to talk all the piled up costume things with Sanna (Rococo Atelier, you all know her for sure) whom I hadn't seen in ages. And the food was excellent. 

I tried taking a few pictures, but low lighting and dancing people made them too blurry.

Big thanks to everyone who made the event happen. And apologies for not "concealing my identity" for the entire evening. The mask was a bit impractical for eating, drinking and socializing. 

This was the first wearing for my new rump and now I have pictures to demonstrate how it looks on me. I'm wearing it with one linen petticoat under the gown in the pictures above. And here it is with just the petticoat.