Victorian Skater -- Winter

Victorian Skater -- Winter

Ladie Faire Doll Designs

*20th* OOAK Design!

Victorian Skater--Winter

Ice-skating was a favorite past-time for the Victorians--an opportunity for friends and family to get together for recreation, either in ice-skating rinks, or on local ponds and lakes. This is the second in my "skaters" series (and the last for *this* winter season at least!), and she celebrates the season in her lovely skating costume of midnight-blue velvet and snow-white lace and fur trim.

Victorian Skater--Winter

Victorian Skater--Winter

The design of this dress reflects the new freedoms women gained in dress toward the modern period, when they started to participate in sports (although, certainly, such outfits were restricted to the performance of those sports)--the very full skirt rises to mid-calf to be free of the ice-skates and allow better movement, showing off a glimpse of leg in intricate lace tights and the shiny, white ice-skates. The hem of the skirt is wired and can be arranged to form graceful curves and billows, for a natural, "wind-blown" look--as if she were gliding across a glassy pond.

Victorian Skater--Winter

The skirt is also lined in icy-white satin and underneath are multiple layers of white tulle. The dress is festively trimmed with an intricate snowflake-like white braid at the waist and hem, a navy braid forms the high collar, and tiny, navy-blue tassels trim the center of her snowy belt. White fur trims the lushly poufed, long sleeves. The skater also wears a detachable white fur capelet which closes with a pearl button, and a white fur head-band.

Victorian Skater--Winter

A beautiful white lace piece is showcased against the fitted, dark velvet bodice. Pearl buttons march down the back (covering hidden snaps making the dress fully removable.).

Victorian Skater--Winter

The doll at the base of this design (collector's edition "Birthday Wishes Barbie #3) had the perfect look and coloring for this theme, with fair skin, faintly flushed pink, ice-blue eyes, and platinum curls. Her lips were re-painted a soft pink. Her hair is styled in a "fringe," as bangs were known, and pulled into a pony-tail of ringlets in the back. Jewelry includes a pearl choker and earrings.

To read more on the history of ice-skating, follow the link to the page for the Christmas Skater:

Victorian Skater -- Christmas

To see more dolls in the Victorian, and other modern styles, click this link:

Victorian and Edwardian Designs