I have a lovely assortment of French fashion plates from the years 1780-1782 for today's post and a new digital scene depicting one of those beauties. I've stated before that I'm drawn to fashion plates that show the back of a garment. I especially liked this 1780 dress in the "Robe à l'Anglaise" style, so today's digital scene was created using that lovely fashion plate but in a new teal color I created. On a previous post, I created a digital scene using another fashion plate showing the back of a gown; however that garment was in the style of "Robe à la Française" or Sack-Back. Since both scenes show the lady from the back you can check both to see the differences in these two styles. For more information on these styles click HERE "Garden Dreams" created using an altered 1780 French Fashion Plate I enjoy altering the colors on fashion plates and at the bottom of this post you will find a nice selection of the above lady in a nice variety of colors. Enjoy! 1780 French Fashion Plate - Style: Habit en Levite Some vintage styles like the Levite are a bit difficult to find information on. The best I can tell is that for it to be considered Levite the lines are straight (no poofs and swags in the skirt or overskirt), a sash at the waist and a shawl style collar with a bit of ruffle trim on it. For a glossary of French Fashion Terms - click HERE The blog "A Most Beguiling Accomplishment", has a nice post showing a variety of French fashion plates in the Levite style along with Cassidy's personal research on this style. 1780 French Fashion Plate - Style: Cirassienne "Robe a la Cirassienne" which is a version of the "Robe à la Polonaise". "Cirassienne" is a specific looking version of the "Polonaise". The Cirassienne has more elaborate decorations; specifically trim such as fur or tassels, which distinguish it from the typical Polonaise. 1780 French Fashion Plate - Style: Levite Note the lack of poofs and swags on this style and then the tied sash at the waist. The shawl style collar edged with lace also seems to denote the Levite style. 1781 French Fashion Plate - Style: Levite A Levite Pelisse trimmed with ermine fur - how luxurious. I believe this to be a mourning costume. 1781 French Fashion Plate - Style: Polonaise This plate description states the pelisse is grey and bordered in swan. I believe this also to be a mourning costume 1781 French Fashion Plate - Style: Grand Court (Mourning Dress) I previously posted this low bodice, mourning dress HERE "The Naughty Side of French Fashions"; but have included it once more since it is a mourning dress and I thought it should be shown with the other two pictured above. 1782 French Fashion Plate - Style: Robe a l'Anglaise Robe a l'Anglaise - (English/American version with a bustle rather than pannier hoops and a draped back that begins at the lower "v" portion on the back of the bodice where the skirt begins ) For more information on this style click HERE 1782 French Fashion Plate - Style: Levite Again we see straight lines with a lack of poofs and swags on this style. Their is an interesting twist in that the sash drapes across the bodice before being tied at the waist. The shawl style collar edged with lace also seems to denote the Levite style. 1780 French Fashion Plate - Style: Robe a la Turque "Robe a la Turque" or in the Turkish style I'd like to reference the blog "A Most Beguiling Accomplishment" once more; however this time Cassidy's post is on the style "Robe a la Turque" *********** I took the above 1780 "Robe a la Turque" fashion plate, created a PNG and made several new color versions of her. PNG of Fashion Plate in the Original Color Scheme Rose Version Sapphire and Gold Version Emerald and Gold Version Mulberry & Teal Version Pink and Plum Version Violet Version Blue and Teal Version Green and Teal Version Teal Version Sable and Olive Version Pistachio Version Desert Rose Version I created my digital artwork using the Teal version of this lovely lady. "Garden Dreams" by EKDuncan 2012 The altered Teal fashion plate is the focus of my piece and the background was created by merging several photos together. I added a variety of filters and textures in Photoshop to the background images to give it that "dreamy" fairytale look. The above artpiece is the second part of a two part garden scene. Below is the first garden scene I created earlier this month - HERE. I chose to use the same background in a slightly different way so I could use together as a set of "paintings" for another digital project I'm thinking about. Garden Scene #1 from earlier this month I really have enjoyed creating these little framed gems and soon I'll be sharing another fun project of mine using them. I'll be back later with more late 18th Century French Fashions from the time of Marie Antoinette. till next time...