Missa Was Honored To Have Won
First Place In The Deadwood Category
And
Judges's Choice
At The Tonner Fashionation Convention
Denver 2006

Denver - circa - 1878

The Silver Nugget was Denver's newest and most elegant Saloon and Gambling Emporium.
The Women’s Temperance League called it a den of iniquity, perhaps even an opium den, though that was only whispered in the most careful way as one wasn’t supposed to know about such things.
Polite society woke up one fine Rocky Mountain Spring Day to find this beautiful and most mysterious proprietor had definitely set out to captivate every powerful man in town. Some said she was newly arrived from San Francisco.
Others mentioned the Barbary Coast.
Exotic names were bandied about and a very few softly whispered “Forbidden City and the Emperor”.
Men watched her pass on the street, when they thought their wives weren’t looking.
The wives secretly envied her beautiful clothes and impeccable sense of style, while publicly ignoring her existence.
The Saloon was filled to overflowing and money and political favors changed hands as frequently as the girls upstairs.
Then after a year, Missa vanished.
Her belongings remained and not one person could recall when they had last seen her.
When it appeared she would never return, the Saloon passed to less exotic hands. Some of the girls refused to stay. There were strange sounds and unexplained odors.
Polite society soon found a new watering hole and the once elegant Silver Nugget fell into disrepair.
Sometimes a curtain will flutter in the attic or a door will swing open.

Perhaps it is just the wind.

The Costume - Dupioni silk in shades of gold, celadon green and raspberry are combined with velvet to create this Victorian Walking Costume - circa 1878. The lined and box pleated gold under skirt and daring vest are topped by a raspberry silk over skirt and jacket lined in green silk to pick up the iridescent shading in the silk. The jacket sleeves are modified “Pagoda “ style with two scalloped ruffles. The bustle is a poofed and tucked blend of raspberry silk and celadon green velvet. The over skirt has a matching plaid pleat with cording and tassel trim. Silk bows are tucked into the folds. The jacket has a gentle ruched effect across the back and is worn close to the body along the vest.
Her velvet hat is tilted at a jaunty angle, lined to match the jacket and is embellished with silk ribbons, flowers, feathers, tulle and cording
Her plaid parasol - in the walking stick style, bead embellished silk reticule, black lacquer fan and velvet muff complete the accessories.
Her jewelry was created using real black jet beads from an antique beaded bag, gold steel beads and faceted Austrian crystals
Lace trimmed ivory petticoat, pantalettes, stockings and gold lace up boots complete the costume.

The Entire Costume Was Sewn By Hand.
The Jewelry And Accessories Were Designed And Crafted By The Artist.
The Costume Is Not Removable.

Carrie as Missa - has been completely repainted by the artist. She has pale hazel eyes, shadowed in soft taupe, feathered brows, beautifully shaded rose lips, a new wig, a natural manicure and applied lashes.

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