The Encouragement Award:




"I love the sheer cheek and audacity of making a reversible historical gown, and admire how she still managed to incorporate a fair modicum of attention to detail and accuracy into the dress.  I also know how hard it is to costume outside of the 'core' costuming centres, and so appreciate what she has achieved even more!"

"Wonderful dress matches its inspiration piece so well. Great tailoring and the reversible aspect makes it really special."

"I'm a sucker for this Florentine period. It's so elegant when done well and this is done so well. The colors evoke the gorgeous richness of the portrait and the lady's resemblance to the sitter doesn't hurt the whole effect at all. A perfect ensemble, impeccable and unfussy. It doesn't look like a costume; it looks like clothing."

"Well explained process and I like the deceptive simplicity of the look."

"She really tried to capture the essence of the inspiration gown and to achieve two looks in one dress was ingenious!  Her Bibliography was also very impressive and showed she had researched before and during her project."

"Simple and Elegant, I love the color choices, she looks like a painting."

"A very nice reproduction and to make it reversible is quite an undertaking!  Very nicely done.  She presented her garb very well with many illustrations of detail work that might otherwise have been overlooked."

"Nicely done, followed closely by WOW!"

"This dress and presentation of the dress is amazing.  The most impressive thing to me was the corset and all the hemp cord placed to make an outstanding corset.  The fabric was very rich and again the small details like the head piece, necklace, and sash really made the whole come together."

"The fit of this gown is right on. She has done a great job of accessorizing the two separate gowns in one. I think it was a great job making them reversible."

"I love how she made a reversible dress that really showed off both sides very well. The overall photos really do look like she stepped out of a portrait from the time period. This project stands out to me as the most involved & creative of the group."

"Excellent construction based on the portrait.  Enjoyed seeing the details of the construction process. Wonderful choices of fabrics and finishing touches."

"She looks like she stepped out of a portrait."

"I like that this is 2 dresses in one, and I love both color choices.  I like the beads she made for the sash, and the pendant she made of clay with the acrylic jewels.  I also liked both of the hair pieces she made for the 2 different looks." 




Runner-Up:






"Again, it's the attention to details that set this one apart.  Also, the fit and the color is phenomenal."

"She looks like a painting! The green and gold was a lovely fabric choice, certainly worth the search and wait, and the bodice layout to show the lovebird pattern was genius."

"The fitting, the choice of fabric, the color, everything about it looked the part, it was as if she had stepped out of a painting."

"Stunning as always."

"Oh, this gown looks REAL.  She can dance in it, sit in it, flirt in it and I'm sure when she's walking back to her car after a long hot and high energy day, it looks like she could still be smiling in it. This is how I want my gowns to be. And her writing is so clear. There are new techniques I've learned and want to try from reading her description and her pictures."

"She's inspired me to make my own similar to her costume, and it was just the perfect foil to her beautiful hair."

"Lovely color choice and sleeve treatment, very 'wearable' looking gown. Well made clear instructions."

"I admire the way the dress is both historically accurate and completely wearable.  Wearability, is, in the end, the most historically accurate of all costuming attributes!"

"Love the materials used.  However it was the construction details that really caught me.  The velvet finished slashes on the sleeves as well as the method used to line the upper sleeve.  Bravissima!"

"Kendra is a very talented costumer and she always makes beautiful gowns.  This one is no exception."

"Because I like her mischievous look."

"She really knows the subject from all she shared."

"I love the fabric she used - very rich and period looking (to my untrained, non-seamstress eye, that is!). I also liked the gold lace used as trim, the gold net with silk organza and peals for the partlet, and the touch of pearls at the edges of the paned portion of the sleeves. Her hair pieces look beautiful despite the non-periodness of them, and I feel complete the look."



Congratulations Katherine and Kendra!


And the winners are....




In third place, the Copper Rose goes to...




Congratulations Kerri!

"A very entrancing style!"

"Kerri’s Dress was fabulous! And I loved the fleur de lis on her partlet. She also had wonderful attention to detail as well as an eye for colors. The blues and golds went beautifully together."

"Kerri’s submission was very nicely executed.  A lovely choice of fabric and trim. The garment fits her well...This garment is something that as a newer costumer I feel I could emulate."

"Elegant lines, clean and very rich looking."

"Kerri's work is beautiful and I think she did a lovely job recreating the dress from the painting." 

"This dress looks so good and is very close to the original, the fit is also very nice."

"The fit of this gown is spot on! I also loved how she kept to period materials whenever possible."

"Kerri's work continues to impress me every time I see it. This ensemble is simple in line, but beautiful in detail. I love her use of trim and the cleanness of the lines." 

"I am quite annoyed now, because Kerri has made the dress I always wanted to make, and made it magnificently."

"This gown looks so close to the inspiration gown!  Even the colors and I loved the use of silk for the sleeve 'poofs'.  Except for small differences, it looks like the original."

"I love how she's recreated both the overall lines and the smaller details of the portrait outfit. I think her choice of fabric and materials are very good, especially the blue fabric and the trims. I also love the pleats in the back of the skirt. Had the puffed sleeves and the partlet/collar been closer to the portrait, I would probably have fainted... This outfit is wonderful..."

"Sweeeeet!"

"Probably one of the nicest recreations of this gown ever featured."

"I like her fit.  While I enjoyed many of the gowns, fit seems to be the hardest obstacle.  Kerri's gown is beautiful."

"Beautiful craftsmanship."

"I would be the Knight in her day."

"Seriously this is the best 1560's Italian I have ever clapped eyes on. The colour is divine the accessories are gorgeous but the fit - oh the fit. The collar/ shoulder fit is sooo tricky and she has nailed it with perfection. Congratulations Kerri on an awesome frock."

"Doublet gowns are so much harder to fit than bodice gowns and I am very pleased with her fit. The partlet, hair and other details make this a winner for me."

"This one is simply beautiful...there is not another entrant that mimicked the original in every detail this well. It is a marvel of detail, proportion, and craftsmanship. The accessories, patterns, and historic feel are all so spot on it feels real."










In second place, the Silver Rose goes to...

Congratulations Ryan!


"Jose’s outfit is stunning. I have to say I was very impressed with his outfit and had it been in a period setting it could easily be mistaken for a period picture."

"Hats off to Ryan Davidson for pulling this off.  Not only is this an elegant representation, he made this himself and did not act only as a model. I am impressed. I thought his submission was well done and appreciated his commentary. Again, I appreciated the historical accuracy and his solutions. When I make the garment for my husband I will be checking back to this submission for Ryan’s tips."

"Kudos to our fine gentleman tailors and their attention to detail in a society that often overlooks how pretty its men can be. :)" 

"Wow! It's always good to see men's garb and it's even better to see it this well done. Sumptuous and rich!"

"Very nice color/pattern composition and fit."

"Very dapper, and he learned/grew after a previous showcase.  That's got placing all over it. :)"

"Properly fit and nicely executed. Good to see some tailoring."

"Lots of thought and attention to detail."

"This is an amazing piece of male clothing and my favorite part is the trunk-hosen.  There is nice color and small design ideas that really make these look great! (The hidden pockets - genius!)  My favorite part of the piece are the tabs to change from the doublet to the trunk-hose.  To me, they balance the outfit."

"His garments are well done and I think what placed him for me was seeing his first work to his current.  An amazing transition and I am very impressed.  Well done!"

"Men should ALWAYS be encouraged to do their own costuming, and he was as fastidious about his period correct costuming as any woman. Kudos must also be given to anyone willing to wear "puffy pants"."

"I’m voting for Jose & his Gentleman’s Milanese costume because of the attention to detail along with the striking and elegant color combination.  Furthermore, he challenged himself after his last showcased costume and the result is inspirational!" 

"I actually liked the flashiness of his outfit. It really stood out to me."

"Well put together outfit. It is so nice to see a guy taking interest in constructing well made period clothes ,not “costumes”."

"I love the combination of fabrics."

"Yay for Italian men’s clothing!  It’s great to see talented men on the Realm of Venus. This outfit is striking and it is obvious a lot of thought went into its construction."

"He totally captured the style and wears it with arrogance of a well dressed royal. Beautiful combo of texture and colour in the garments with attention paid to the accessories. Just lovely."

"Nice behind! Seriously, I like the costume."

"He did a very nice job and good documentation."






And in first place, the Gold Rose goes to...

Congratulations Laurie!

"Incredible attention to detail! And the shape/fit of both the skirt and the bodice seems spot on!"

"The submission from Laurie Tavan was quite simply stunning.  And, I appreciate how much handwork went into this garment. This was the perfect juxtaposition of stunning beauty, and historically accurate representation...I hope to see more of her work. I could learn a lot from her."

"The attention to detail is just exquisite.  She literally looks like she just stepped off of a portrait!"

"An amazing attention to detail, but the corded petticoat gives the skirts the right look and sells this to me."

"Her work is absolutely exquisite, and her record of the process is very thorough. I am inspired seeing what she has created. The dress appears to be made in a very high quality fashion, she has clearly traced the documentation and inspiration. The whole outfit is amazing." 

"This dress is really crisp and was the standout for me. It was not necessarily the most period dress, but it wasn't claiming to be, is just lovely and well done. To me the quality of the work made this dress better then all the rest." 

"The documentation, the construction is just fabulous, the detail from the undergarments out. I just love the chemise it alone deserves an award.  And those sleeves are amazing."

"This is truly exceptional work. It's inspired by but not simply a copy of its "inspiration gown". Every layer from undergarments to accessories is carefully thought out and beautifully done. The detail work is so precise and all-encompassing, and the accessories are perfect. She also presents as a very good researcher."

"Beautiful dress!"

"The attention to the smallest detail and use of sumptuous fabric was fantastic. Everything had attention from the silk under-stockings, garters, jewelry.  It was the whole package that I believe put this entrant above the others." 

"Perfect in every meticulous detail."

"Simply stunning and the attention to detail is amazing- Bravo!"

"I really appreciated how she was able to implement many of her existing pieces into the garb.  Many of the patterns were her own design apparently and a few modifications made them appropriate for this garb.  The attention to detail is amazing, the smocked sleeves are exquisite and even a corded petticoat!"

"She's my wife, but even if she weren't, this is the most spectacular dress I've seen in my life. It's just about perfect in every detail."

"Absolutely stunning and remarkable work that really "took me back."  True living history design and implementation."

"Laurie's attention to detail is stunning.  Her level of research and construction techniques are amazing.  She looks like she stepped out of a painting."

"Those SLEEVES!  Glorifica."

"It's an amazing gown. I was enthralled reading about it."

"Laurie sets the bar for costuming.  Her work is impeccable and I have been highly impressed with her work and willingness to share her blog.  I learn by watching her.  I am working my way to my first attempt at an Italian Ren gown and seem to hit her blog daily!"

"Her documentation was supreme, and the pictures were beautiful."

"I liked the zibellino and the dress was beautifully made."

"Red and gold...lovely color choice and construction. Good attention to details, looks like a portrait."

 "Love the colors and fabrics used for Laurie's red & gold gown.  This gown has it all! - beautiful work on the camicia, spiral lacing, the sleeves are just fabulous, I love the pinking and the train, her hair and accessories! - Everything is excellent down to the last detail."

"The dress is exquisite and over the top."

"The sleeves! Dear god, I love those sleeves! AND the perfect underclothes."

"The attention to detail is exceptional. She really seems to have gone all out to faithfully replicate her choice of gown. Just gorgeous."

"The level of detail involved in this dress is amazing!  Everything from the pinked bias edging to the SLEEVES!  I am both humbled and inspired."

"I love this dress. The fit is impeccable and the details are stunning."

"A lot of work went into creating this realistic Renaissance Italian look."

"Perfect -- all the way down to the accessories and pose."

"Most authentic."

"Wonderful Dress.  Great attention to detail, fantastic construction techniques. Enjoyed seeing all of the details of the building of the dress."

"I can't go past Laurie. Again with the fit but also an understanding of how to exploit top grade fabric to produce a truly awesome frock. And her dedication to getting the exact silhouette is to be applauded."

"Even if North American smocking wasn't period, this one made my jaw drop. It is just gorgeous. All of the proportions are perfect. The aesthetics are wonderfully in line with period as well as modern taste. It is simply gorgeous."

"I don't know if I'm capable of speech. all I can do is drool. The attention to detail, the construction, the fabrics. Those sleeves! That train! frigging fabulous."

"Amazing work and great details."





That's it for another year! 

Grazie mille!

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