Loveliest of trees, the cherry now
Is hung with bloom along the bough,
And stands about the woodland ride
Wearing white for Eastertide.
--excerpt from A.E. Housman
In the Victorian language of flowers, the cherry blossom stood for "Spritual Beauty" and "Good Education."
Cherry Blossom
This doll is dressed in the style of the turn of the 20th century, and is dressed for a Spring dance or party. The style
is generally more sleek and simple than earlier decades, with a simple skirt and bodice combination, but the clear, pastel
tones, glass beading, and intricate design on the skirt lend an Art Nouveau tone, while the combination of the over-the-elbow-length
gloves, strapless bodice, and fancy wrap suggest formal evening attire.
Cherry Blossom
During the Victorian and Edwardian period of the English empire "chinoiserie" and "japonisme" styles became
fashionable as people collected furniture, tableware, and material from the orient. The material of the skirt and parasol
is in this style with Japanese-style parasols bearing peonies, cherry blossom, dragonflies etc in shades of blue, pink, peach
and green on a mocha background sprigged with white flowers. The skirt is trimmed with cream lace and pink braid, while the
sleek, strapless bodice is of a pale, cherry-blossom pink satin trimmed with a single sheer pink ribbon rose.
Cherry Blossom
Accessories include the formal pink satin gloves, as well as the luxurious pink satin wrap which is trimmed with sage-green
ribbon and dangling pink and green beads. A wide choker of pink braid hung with a clear crystal heart pendant inset with
a pink "jewel" accentuates the formal look. The extravagantly wide hat is de rigeur at the time and is draped with
pink rose lace and a bevy of lush, pink peony ribbon blossoms. The doll also wears pink high heels.
Cherry Blossom
The doll used in this design is a collectable Barbie ("Spring in Tokyo") with fair skin, flushed pink at the cheeks,
and big blue eyes. Her lips have been repainted to complement the pale pink of her outfit. Her black hair is pulled back
into a chignon, while two sausage curls have been added above each ear to better evoke the period style.
Cherry Blossom
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