GLORIOUS BETSY

Famed for her risqué taste in fashion, Elizabeth Patterson Bonaparte, or more famously known as Betsy, was the first wife of Jérôme Bonaparte and Napoleon's sister-in-law. Theirs was a union frowned upon by the French Emperor, the latter finally convincing his brother to marry the German Princess Catharina of Württemberg before his marriage to Betsy was dissolved.

This is a cuff in her honour. An ode to her flamboyance, her beauty, her wit, her love for skimpy attire. This is a design inspired by the woman who was Betsy Bonaparte.

A darling confection, Glorious Betsy boasts frou frou petticoats of exotic Indian Silks and Cottons paired with Chinois-chic Brocade. Palest Pink Vintage Laces perk the allure quotient up quite a notch whilst hints of Fortuny Pleats swirl and whirl in a vampish fashion. Making a glorious statement Northwards is a strip of Victorian Gold Bullion Trim extracted from an 1870s religious vestment (no, seriously) further adorned with a procession of petite silk rosettes from the 1920s.

Delicate and dramatic.
Thoroughly desirable.
Infinitely Betsy.

GLORIOUS BETSY measures approximately 4.75" tall by 6" across. She secures with a single Vintage Glass Button and will comfortably bedeck wrists sized from 5" all the way to about 7.5".

All fabrics and findings used in Sheela Goh Couture designs (unless indicated otherwise) are antique and over 100 years old. In fact, some bits are authentic Edwardian and Victorian. Seriously. So please, do wear her with care and respect.

OOAK.
Dry clean only.
Stitched entirely by hand, with needle and thread.

©2006-2009 Sheela Goh (that means absolutely NO copying of my work or my style of writing - imitation is NOT flattery here, thank you very much).