Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery

As I started this ballgown, I knew that I wanted to incorporate representations of the main two characters and the Moors.  I decided to use the style of a 1890s walking gown, as it was worn out during the day and the shorter hem on the skirt gives the wearer room to run and chase after adventure.  The mutton leg sleeves match the popular styles of the time, drawing the design specifically into the 1890s.  I then took inspiration from menswear, incorporating elements of men’s jackets and vests into the bodice of the ballgown.  The men’s corduroy vest, in brown, represents Watson, while the blue jacket represents Sherlock.  The two are complimentary to each other, both in color and in solving mysteries.  The red tie and waistband represent the blood spilled by the hound, while also representing the danger and adventure of Sherlock and Watson’s lives.  The skirt then represents the Moors.  The base of the skirt is a traditional black and white houndstooth, with red trim that matches the waistband and tie.  The organza overlay then hides the houndstooth pattern underneath, representing the mist of the Moors and shrouding the trim hound head hiding on the bottom of the skirt in mystery.  The final touch is Sherlock’s traditional deerstalker hat, tying the entire design back to the original source material written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. 

This design was a delight to work on.  I love the original Sherlock Holmes stories, and really connected to the themes of mystery and the hound itself.  I had so much fun with the historical research and tying together both mens and womenswear from the 1890s.  I also quite enjoyed swatching fabric, and using colors to add even more layers of representation to the dress.  The hardest part of this piece of the process was once again, time.  Fall break fell directly in the middle of my work time, and I quickly fell a few days behind my plan.  But I was able to sit down and get everything done soon after fall break, so it all worked out in the end.