Black & White at Vaux-le-Vicomte

When I went to Fete Galante in 2023, I also had the chance to attend a costumed dinner at the château de Vaux le Vicomte outside of Paris. In summers, this baroque palace not only allows guests to come in costume but they light up the grounds with candles at night and end the evening with fireworks! It’s something I’d dreamed of seeing for years.

I needed something to wear, and with the last-minute failure of my initial Fete costume plans, I had to scramble with stuff in my closet. Kendra offered the loan of a black-and-white tête de mouton style wig she’d made (described in her book on 18th-century hair). This inspired me to assemble a black-and-white costume from the black silk robe a l’anglaise or a round gown that Sarah made for me for Carnevale (which I’ve worn with a harlequin outfit and a broken-heart outfit). I added the black-and-white damask petticoat from the 1560s gown I made ages ago — a round pleated petticoat is the same in any era! I had a feather and ribbon headpiece that I’d made for my first Fete Galant, so I added even more feathers to that. Some bling and accessories, and done. Had a great time too!