Category: Books

Books, Current trends

Fire and Blood: A House of the Dragon pattern

by Sarah SheehanLeave a Comment on Fire and Blood: A House of the Dragon pattern
Targaryen view of McCall’s 8335. Image: Issuu.

The Saturnalia begins today. Since ancient Rome was one of George R.R. Martin’s inspirations for Old Valyria, the Targaryen homeland, here’s a costume pattern inspired by House of the Dragon.

Costumes for HBO’s big-budget Game of Thrones spinoff were designed by French costume designer Jany Temime. An early collaborator of Alfonso Cuarón’s, Temime is best known for her work on the Harry Potter and James Bond films.

McCall’s dragon appliqué is a hint that its 2022 cape costume pattern is inspired by Rhaenyra Targaryen (ancestor of Daenerys).

“Capes of Thrones” in the McCall lookbook, Fall 2022. Image: Issuu.
Fantasy costume cape pattern McCall's 8335 (2022)
McCall’s 8335 (2022). Image: McCall’s.
Back view of red Targaryen cape pattern with dragon appliqué - McCall's 8335 (2022)
Back view of McCall’s 8335 (2022). Image: McCall’s.

Temime’s Targaryen costumes include several stunning dragon-embellished pieces:

Rhaenyra detail. Costume designer: Jany Temime. Image: Harper’s Bazaar / HBO.
Targaryen armour detail. Costume designer: Jany Temime. Image: Harper’s Bazaar / HBO.

Embellishment bonus: Did you know that Game of Thrones embroiderer Michele Carragher has a book out? Read more at her website.

Read all my posts on GRRM-inspired sewing:

Gary Gianni cover illustration for Fire and Blood (2019) Image: Subterranean Press / George R.R. Martin.
Books, Current trends

Dracula 125

by Sarah Sheehan1 Comment on Dracula 125
Dracula’s brides in Dracula (1931)
Dracula’s brides (Dorothy Tree, Geraldine Dvorak, and Cornelia Thaw) in Tod Browning’s Dracula (1931) Image: tumblr.

Happy World Dracula Day! Today is the 125th anniversary of Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Here’s a roundup for #Dracula125.

Max Schreck as Count Orlok in Nosferatu (1922), a Dracula adaptation celebrating its centenary this year.

My posts on gothic or vampire-inspired sewing:

Vogue 2604 by Nina Ricci photographed by Ishimuro for the cover of Vogue Patterns Magazine Nov/Dec 1980
Vogue 2604 by Nina Ricci on the cover of Vogue Patterns, November/December 1980. Photo: Ishimuro. Image: eBay.
Fascination du Noir: Nina Ricci couture photographed by Chris Simpson, September 1980
“Fascination du Noir”: Nina Ricci couture in L’Officiel, September 1980. Photo: Chris Simpson. Image: jalougallery.com.
Eiko Ishioka’s armour for Bram Stoker’s Dracula on the cover of Eiko on Stage (Callaway, 2000) Image: abebooks.
Early 1990s Donna Karan dress pattern - Vogue 1293
Donna Karan’s Fall 1993 collection was presented days after Eiko Ishioka won the costume design Oscar for Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Vogue 1293 by Donna Karan (1993)
"Courtly gestures" Perfectly plain: the right dresses have a top with the fit and ease of a body, and a dramatic bolt of fabric below the waist. High-neck, Empire-line dress in chestnut-brown velvet, opposite, left. Right, slash-neck wool gauze dress. Both by Donna Karan. (Headdresses Slim Barrett)
Nadja Auermann and Cecilia Chancellor wear Donna Karan in “Courtly Gestures,” British Vogue, December 1993. Photo: Mario Testino. Editor: Jayne Pickering. Image: The Fashion Spot.
Jill Stuart's sequined sheer camisole; Karl Lagerfeld's black viscose pants. Krizia lace gloves; Prada leather pumps.
W magazine, June 1997. Model: Danielle Z. Photographed in New Orleans by Ellen von Unwerth.
Sofia Coppola wears goth Anna Sui in Spur magazine, October 1997
Sofia Coppola wears Anna Sui FW ’97 (V2072) in Spur, October 1997. Photo: Satoshi Saikusa. Image: Bolton, Anna Sui.
1990s Begotten gothic dress pattern - Simplicity 8619
Simplicity 8619 by Begotten (1999) Image: Etsy.