The Pale Court
~ In Memoriam ~
Laura Frances Purdy
July 25, 1973 — January 31, 2005
This page features a selection of the items that were left unfinished at the time of Laura's death. Some items were in the very beginning stages of being cut out, while others were partially sewn. Each design was faithfully completed, adding pieces when something was missing, and figuring out the puzzles along the way. A photographic tribute in Gothic Beauty features Laura's designs.
River Fairy Dress
Princess Gown
Wine Georgette Gown
Titania Gown
Black Velvet Gown
Red Velvet Tailcoat
Velvet Frock Coat
Ivory Velvet Gown
Velvet and Brocade Frock Coat
Wine Velvet Top
Embroidered Chiffon Top
Purple Georgette Top
Victorian Corselet
Wine Bodice
Lily Brocade Cincher
Brocade Bodice
Rose Brocade Bodice
Velvet Bodice
Rosegarden Jacket
Rosegarden Skirt
Rosegarden Bodice
Velvet Jacket
Wine Frock
Purple and Black Velvet Top
Thorned Rose Top
Fleur de Lis Purse
Countess Choker
Satin Bodice
Ivory Dress
Elizabeth Gown
Brocade Doublet
White Poet Shirt
Wine Poet Shirt
To that high Capital, where kingly Death
Keeps his Pale Court in beauty and decay,
He came; and bought, with price of purest breath,
A grave among the eternal.—Come away!
Haste, while the vault of blue Italian day
Is yet his fitting charnel-roof! While still
He lies, as if in dewy sleep he lay;
Awake him not! Surely he takes his fill
Of deep and liquid rest, forgetful of all ill.
Percy Shelley — Adonais