KATE MIDDLETON - TO DRESS A PRINCESS
Queen Consort Marie Antoinette
On April 29, 2011, Westminster Abbey will be the setting for the most anticipated wedding of the year — the Royal Wedding of His Royal Highness Prince William of Wales and Kate (Catherine) Middleton. To honor the event, author C.M. (Catherine) Rubin and designer Theresa Blake have joined forces to bring you a series of stories which focus on wedding dresses worn by famous Royal Princesses and Queens over the centuries that continue to inspire wedding dress designers and brides to this day. Who knows? Perhaps one of these historic royal gowns has already inspired the best kept secret for April 29, 2011 — what will Princess-to-be Kate Middleton be wearing?
QUEEN CONSORT MARIE ANTOINETTE - 18th Century Queens by C. M. Rubin and Theresa Blake
Marie Antoinette (1755-1793) was born in Austria to Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor, and his Austrian Empress, Maria Theresa. She has been called France’s unhappiest queen. She was married off by her mother at age 14 to Louis XVI with the hope that this union might further Austria’s interest in France. Young Marie was poorly educated and unprepared for the dynastic political intrigues that followed. Prudish by nature, she became thoroughly embarrassed by her husband’s widely known failure to have sexual intercourse for several years. Despite this setback, Marie Antoinette still managed to give birth to a daughter, in 1778, and sons in 1781 and 1785. She was a devoted mother. She was also perceived as frivolous and extravagant, with a habit of spending lavishly on fashionable clothes and palaces.
After the Bastille was stormed on July 14, 1789, the queen urged her husband to resist the rebels’ reforms, making her very unpopular and leading to the attribution to her of the remark, “Qu’ils mangent de la brioche!” — “Let them eat cake!” The royal couple were forced to move to Paris. After the First French Republic was established in 1792, they were imprisoned by the revolutionaries. Marie Antoinette continued to plot for foreign intervention to end the revolution and free her family. Many attempts to escape failed. Ultimately, Louis XVI was executed in January, 1793. Marie Antoinette is remembered for her dignity and great courage while the Revolution subjected her to horrific brutalities before she was finally executed by the guillotine on October 16 of 1793.
Theresa Blake’s stunning eighteenth century style wedding dress below is inspired by Marie Antoinette. It is in cloud pink regal dupion and consistes of a corseted jacket/bodice with a separate skirt worn over pannier supports. The shell pink corseted bodice is ornamented with an eye-catching embroidered and beaded stomacher panel, and finishes in a shaped and pleated peplum, embroidered and edged in antique lace. The bodice is laced at the back to achieve a corset-like finish. It has fitted elbow-length sleeves ending in large, romantic cuffs with lace sleeve flounces. The skirt has an open front to show off the beautiful scrolling floral embroidery and draped panniers, again edged in lace.
C. M. Rubin and Theresa Blake met when they collaborated on a reproduction of the design of the original wedding dress worn by Alice Pleasance Liddell (the Alice behind Wonderland) at her wedding in 1880 in the world reknowned Westminster Abbey in London. An illustration of Alice Liddell’s dress was featured in C.M. Rubin’s bestselling book, The Real Alice In Wonderland.
To Dress A Princess
KATE MIDDLETON - TO DRESS A PRINCESS
Alice Pleasance Liddell
THE REAL ALICE IN WONDERLAND MARRIED AT WESTMINSTER ABBEY By C.M. Rubin and Theresa Blake
On April 29, 2011, Westminster Abbey will be the setting for the most anticipated wedding of the year — the Royal Wedding of His Royal Highness Prince William of Wales and Kate (Catherine) Middleton. To honor the event, author C.M. Rubin and designer Theresa Blake have joined forces to bring you a series of stories which focus on wedding dresses worn by famous Royal Princesses and Queens over the centuries that continue to inspire wedding dress designers and brides to this day. Who knows? Perhaps one of these historic royal gowns has already inspired the best kept secret for April 29, 2011 — what will Princess-to-be Kate Middleton be wearing?
Westminster Abbey is steeped in more than a thousand years of history. Benedictine monks first came to this place in the middle of the tenth century, establishing a tradition of daily worship which continues to this day.
The Abbey houses a treasure of paintings, stained glass, pavements, textiles and other artifacts. Westminster Abbey is also the place where some of the most significant people in Great Britain’s history have been buried, including perhaps the most popular Royal princess of all time, Princess Diana, whose funeral took place at the Abbey on September 6, 1997. Westminster Abbey has been the Royal coronation church since 1066, and is the final resting place of seventeen British monarchs.
Alice Pleasance Liddell (the real Alice in Wonderland) was married in Westminster Abbey on September 15, 1880. Other famous weddings at the Abbey include those of Princess Elizabeth II (later Queen Elizabeth II), Princess Margaret (daughter of George VI), Princess Anne (daughter of Queen Elizabeth II), and Princess Alexandra of Kent. Princess-to-be Kate Middleton will join this celebrated list on April 29, 2011.
C. M. Rubin and Theresa Blake met when they collaborated on a reproduction of the design of the original wedding dress worn by Alice Pleasance Liddell at her wedding in 1880 to Reginal Hargreaves in the Abbey. An illustration of Alice Liddell’s dress was featured in the bestselling book, The Real Alice In Wonderland, by C. M. Rubin and Gabriella Rubin.
Theresa Blake trained at Wimbledon School of Art in period costume design. After helping to design magnificent gowns for major bridal and couture houses in the UK, she formed her own company, Rossetti Couture. Today, Rossetti Couture designs period wedding gowns inspired by historical princesses and theatrical costumes for individuals and prestigious entertainment companies around the world.
C. M. (Catherine) Rubin designs many of her own clothes and is also the author of three best-selling, award winning books, including The Real Alice In Wonderland.
Westminster Abbey
KATE MIDDLETON - TO DRESS A PRINCESS
KATE’S DRESS by C. M. Rubin and Theresa Blake
I admired Princess Diana enormously. For awhile, she went to a secondary school not far from mine. Our schools played netball matches (English version basketball) against each other. I grew up in her time, in her neighborhoods, and in her culture. I watched her fairytale wedding, and like everyone else, I expected her love story to continue happily ever after.
While her marriage did not last, Princess Diana can be proud of the two wonderful children it produced, whom she loved and cherished her whole adult life. When Prince William announced that he had given his fiancée, Kate (Catherine) Middleton, his mother’s ring, because he wanted his mother to be part of his engagement announcement, it was not Diana’s ring that brought tears to my eyes. It was Prince William’s proud smile as he spoke. In his smile, I saw his mother, Diana, and I then believed that her dreams for her son Prince William were well on their way to being realized.
Prince William’s bride-to-be is someone I know would make his mother proud. She is a modern woman. She is tall and slim. She is magnetic. She looks natural and beautiful, and has a classic sense of style that is both elegant as well as very contemporary.
Over the past three weeks, Theresa Blake and I have explored wedding dresses inspired by Princesses and Queens through the centuries. Today we reveal the wedding dress we visualize for Kate (Catherine) Middleton on her wedding day.
We have selected a gown (see the Athenae style below) created by Theresa which bridges the centuries. It is elaborate and sculptural. It has hints of the 1880’s bustle gowns and is combined with a fully boned corset bodice. The draped asymmetrical skirt has multiple layers of taffeta, lace and satin, and is trimmed with satin bows to one side. The eau de nil silk taffeta gown is further embellished with antique lace, lilac cut-velvet flower decorations, diamante, pearls and Swarovski crystals.
Indeed, a magnificent dress for a beautiful Princess-to-be Kate (Catherine) Middleton, for her wedding on April 29, 2011 at Westminster Abbey in London.
C. M. (Catherine) Rubin and Theresa Blake met when they collaborated on a reproduction of the design of the original wedding dress worn by Alice Pleasance Liddell (the Alice behind Wonderland) at her wedding in 1880 in the world reknowned Westminster Abbey in London. An illustration of Alice Liddell’s dress by Theresa Blake was featured in C.M. Rubin’s bestselling book, The Real Alice In Wonderland.
KATE MIDDLETON - TO DRESS A PRINCESS
On April 29, 2011, Westminster Abbey will be the setting for the most anticipated wedding of the year — the Royal Wedding of His Royal Highness Prince William of Wales and Kate (Catherine) Middleton. To honor the event, author C.M.Rubin and designer Theresa Blake have joined forces to bring you a series of stories which focus on wedding dresses worn by famous Royal Princesses and Queens over the centuries that continue to inspire wedding dress designers and brides to this day. Who knows? Perhaps one of these historic royal gowns has already inspired the best kept secret for April 29, 2011 — what will Princess-to-be Kate Middleton be wearing?
PRINCESS SABRA AND ST. GEORGE by C.M. Rubin and Theresa Blake
There are many versions of the story of the legend of Princess Sabra and George of Lydda (also known as St. George, patron saint of England). This is one of the popular ones from the 11th century. Princess Sabra was the daughter of the King of Silene (Egypt). George, a crusader, had travelled for many months until he came to Libya. There George met a poor hermit who told him that the land was being terrorized by a dragon. The dragon had demanded that a beautiful maiden be sacrificed by the people every day. The King’s daughter, Princess Sabra, had been selected to be sacrificed the following day. The King of Egypt had offered his daughter’s hand in marriage to any champion who could destroy the terrible dragon. When St. George heard this story, he was determined to try and save the princess, so he rested that night in the hermit’s hut, and at daybreak set out to the valley where the dragon lived. When George drew near, he saw a procession of women, headed by a beautiful girl. It was Princess Sabra being led by her attendants to the place of death. George quickly overtook the ladies. He comforted the princess with brave words and persuaded her to let him intercede. The fearless George entered the valley where he fought the dragon long and hard. At a pivotal point in the battle, he called out to Princess Sabra and asked her to throw him her girdle, which she did. George placed Princess Sabra’s girdle around the dragon’s neck and as he did, the great beast backed down and meekly followed the Princess. After this magnificent conquest of the ferocious dragon, the King and the people rejoiced and soon converted to Christianity. And of course, George married the enchanting Princess Sabra.
The wedding dress below inspired by Princess Sabra was designed by Theresa Blake. It was constructed in a sage green matka silk, cut through in “princess line”. A belt worn at upper hip level helps to achieve the perfect Pre-Raphaelite silhouette. The main body of the gown was created in a unique “rustic” fabric (silk matka) - less glossy than dupion. At the hem, lions rampant, interspersed with pomegranates (a nod towards the famous “Proserpina” painting by Dante Gabriel Rossetti) were appliquéd. The sleeves, fitted quite tightly to upper and lower arm, are slashed at the elbow to reveal a silk underdress. The same false under-chemise detail is at the shoulder to imply the dress beneath. Brown leather thong is used for lacing.
C. M. (Catherine) Rubin and Theresa Blake met when they collaborated on a reproduction of the design of the original wedding dress worn by Alice Pleasance Liddell (the Alice behind Wonderland) at her wedding in 1880 in the world reknowned Westminster Abbey in London. An illustration of Alice Liddell’s dress by Theresa Blake was featured in C.M. Rubin’s bestselling book, The Real Alice In Wonderland.
To Dress A Princess
THE REAL ALICE IN WONDERLAND INSPIRES
THE GIFT OF LOVE IS IN THE AIR by C. M. Rubin
Valentine’s Day is named after St. Valentine, and was first celebrated on February 14th in 500 A.D. to express people’s love for one another.
Everyone has some person who inspires them, and yes, that person should be honored and told they are loved on Valentine’s Day.
This Valentine’s Day we are personally honoring our relative, Alice Liddell, the real Alice in Wonderland — the girl who inspired the greatest children’s book of all time, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.
Alice was magnetic - she had an impressive line of suitors, including Queen Victoria’s son, Prince Leopold. She finally found true love with a wealthy country gentleman, Reginald Hargreaves.
So Who’s Your Alice?
Tell us about the person in your life who inspires you.
The Person You Love.
Your Real Alice in Wonderland.
Share Your Inspiration.
Log onto Facebook and search for
WHO’S YOUR INSPIRATION?
We look forward to hearing your story.
Who’s Your Inspiration Stories
Look inside The Real Alice in Wonderland book
THE REAL ALICE IN WONDERLAND INSPIRES
WHO’S YOUR INSPIRATION?
Valentine’s Day is named after St. Valentine, and was first celebrated on February 14th in 500 A.D. to express people’s love for one another.
Everyone has some person who inspires them, and yes, that person should be honored and told they are loved on Valentine’s Day.
This Valentine’s Day we are personally honoring our relative, Alice Liddell, the real Alice in Wonderland — the girl who inspired the greatest children’s book of all time, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.
Alice was magnetic - she had an impressive line of suitors, including Queen Victoria’s son, Prince Leopold. She finally found true love with a wealthy country gentleman, Reginald Hargreaves.
So Who’s Your Alice?
Tell us about the person in your life who inspires you.
The Person You Love.
Your Real Alice in Wonderland.
Share Your Inspiration.
Log onto Facebook and search for
WHO’S YOUR INSPIRATION?
We look forward to hearing your story.
Hear our story on YouTube
Who’s Your Inspiration Stories
THE REAL ALICE IN WONDERLAND INSPIRES
THE DODO BIRD by TOM OTTERNESS
“I thought of us, our world, as a self-satisfied Dodo bird. Doomed to eventual extinction but saved for a moment by the hope for new life in the egg. Every sculpture I make is a kind of self-portrait. This one is a little more dim-witted than most.” — Tom Otterness, from The Real Alice in Wonderland book by C.M. Rubin and Gabriella Rubin.
Tom Otterness has said that his sculptures are meant to be play pieces. Whenever you see kids around those play pieces, that is exactly what you will find them doing - climbing, handling, talking, imagining and interacting with adorable and fascinating characters which come in all different shapes and sizes. The American sculptor’s works adorn parks, plazas, courthouses, museums, libraries and subway stations. The Dodo Bird can be seen in Battery Park, New York City. For more information on Tom Otterness visit his website: http://www.tomostudio.com/
Look Inside The Real Alice Book
The Real Alice Valentine’s Trailer
Tom Otterness
THE REAL ALICE IN WONDERLAND INSPIRES
ALICE LIDDELL by LIZZY ROCKWELL
“I can identify with the delight that Alice Liddell experienced as a child, being in the company of Charles Dodgson, providing both muse and audience for his fantastic stories. Her face and what I can infer of her spirit are captivating, and it’s not hard to see how she might have launched works of art which went on to rock the world.” (Lizzy Rockwell, from The Real Alice in Wonderland book by C. M. Rubin and Gabriella Rubin).
Lizzy Rockwell’s magnificent new creation has arrived. It is a 28 foot-long mural that she was commissioned to paint for the pediatric waiting room in the Norwalk Community Health Center. “I was delighted and honored yesterday to celebrate the unveiling of a mural I painted in the pediatric waiting room of the Norwalk Community Health Center, which is a brand new state of the art public health clinic located at 120 Connecticut Avenue in Norwalk, CT.”
Lizzy Rockwell studied art at the School of Visual Arts in New York City. She frequently visits schools to talk to young authors and illustrators about her work.
To see the slideshow of Lizzy’s creation of the mural: www.lizzyrockwell.com
Look Inside The Real Alice Book
The Real Alice Valentine’s Trailer
THE REAL ALICE IN WONDERLAND INSPIRES
THE LEGACY OF LEWIS CARROLL
To answer the many inquiries I have received since the holidays, the new issue of the Knight Letter (the official magazine of the Lewis Carroll Society of North America) is now available. It is a wonderland of unique information and captivating stories.
Lewis Carroll’s books continue to inspire generation after generation. Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland is among the top ten children’s titles on the latest incarnation of story telling, the Nook. For those of you who wish to learn more about Lewis Carroll, his life, and his books, the Lewis Carroll Society website is a great place to go.
Here is a note from the President of the Lewis Carroll Society of North America, Mark Burstein.
“Perhaps the greatest gift I ever received began at the Second International Lewis Carroll Conference, at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, in June of 1994, when August Imholtz, representing the Lewis Carroll Society of Northern California, turned around in his seat (concurrently going out on the proverbial limb) to ask me, a nerdy software engineer by trade, unhappily laboring in the not-so-fertile fields of Corporate America, to edit the Knight Letter, the newsletter of the Society. Somewhat baffled, I agreed. Over the next dozen years, as I took it from a photocopied four-page circular to a professionally printed and designed fifty-to-sixty page magazine, I was stealthily learning another trade, editing. I loved it and it is my profession to this day.”
The Knight Letter: http://www.lewiscarroll.org/publications/knightletter
The Lewis Carroll Society www.LewisCaroll.org
Cathy Rubin and Mark Burstein at the Lewis Carroll Society Winter Conference
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