Old is new

I tend to think of the sculptural effects in bridal and evening fashions as being a fairly new trend. This bodice by Pierre Balmain is more than 50 years old, proving that using stitching to “freeze” fabric folds and draping is definitely not new. The metallic threads used in this piece may have tarnished, but the style has not. Susan Elliott of Plays with Needles did a photo study of this garment during her tambour beading class. See delicious close-ups on her blog.