Vintage Victorian was founded in 1989 by Catherine Bishop and makes historical reproduction clothing, accessories and other related resources, as well as doing restoration work on period outfits. Our interest primarily focuses on 19th and early 20th Century fashion, although our portfolio of designs includes items from the 18th through the 20th Centuries. All of our creations are custom made to suit individual needs and are created with an emphasis on historical accuracy. I have access to an extensive library of period clothing, magazines, books, and patterns to draw upon for inspiration. Our most frequent customers are Vintage Dancers, Historical Re-enactors, and Bridal parties.
A majority of our customers are Vintage Dancers, who recreate the dances of the 19 th and early 20th centuries. Since period ball gowns are not only hard to find, but usually too delicate to dance in, a reproduction gown is usually a necessity. Vintage Victorian can create a gown that not only is appropriate to the period but also can stand up to years of dancing, and it will never go out of style! We can also supply all of the appropriate undergarments, from corsets to petticoats, and accessories, even searching for the right fan or pair of gloves to complete a vintage outfit. It is wonderful to see an original design come to life on the dance floor.
We also create outfits for Civil War re-enactors as well as gowns for events such as Victorian Teas, period Costume Balls, and Bathing Parties at events like the Newport Vintage Dance Week. Catherine's latest undertaking is creating matching period outfits for her twin sons who were born in 1997.
Weddings
Whether your wish is to commission the perfect gown, wear a treasured family heirloom, or special Vintage find, Vintage Victorian can help you. We create original wedding and bridal party outfits, in both modern and historical styles, as well as performing restoration services on antique gowns. We also have created many wedding and attendant gowns, both historical and modern; each creation custom made to suit individual tastes. And no outfit is complete without appropriate costume accessories such as collars, hats, and veils that we can make especially for you.
Ordering information for Reproduction Outfits
Vintage Victorian's founder Catherine Bishop has many years of experience in the area of custom dressmaking, costume design, history, and textile conservation. Catherine worked for a number of years in the conservation lab of the Museum of Fine Arts' Department of Textiles and Costumes, in Boston, Massachusetts. She is currently a costume coordinator for The Commonwealth Vintage Dancers, a costume curator for the Nahant Historical Society, and a Vintage Dancer.
The Collection
Catherine has amassed an extensive library of period clothing, magazines, books, and patterns to draw upon for inspiration. She also has a large collection of original period clothing, dating from the 1830's to the 1930's, an invaluable resource in making reproduction clothing.
Last updated: 03 March 2003