GLENN CLOSE as THE MARQUISE DE MERTEUIL in
DANGEROUS LIAISONS
Repaint and re-style by Juan Albuerne
Costume by Cheryl Crawford
A game of conquest with tragic results. a predatory, wealthy widow (Glenn Close) challenges a notorious rake and former lover (John Malkovich) to seduce a beautiful young newlywed (Michelle Pfeiffer). But cardinal rules will be broken: two players will fall in love
Marquise de Merteuil: "When I came out into society I was fifteen. I already knew then that the role I was condemned to, namely to keep quiet and do what I was told, gave me the perfect opportunity to listen and observe. Not to what people told me, which naturally was of no interest to me, but to whatever it was they were trying to hide. I practiced detachment. I learned how to look cheerful while under the table I stuck a fork onto the back of my hand. I became a virtuoso of deceit. I consulted the strictest moralists to learn how to appear, philosophers to find out what to think, and novelists to see what I could get away with, and in the end it all came down to one wonderfully simple principle: that happiness and vanity are incompatible"
ABOUT THE DRESS

The gown is typical of the "robe a la francaise" worn in the 3rd quarter 18th C.

An underskirt of patterned ivory net over mauve and rose paisley, trimmed at the hem with embroidered lace and fine net swags, accented by rose silk bows and tassels. The fitted bodice and over skirt are of rose silk. The skirt is trimmed with ruched figures and silk bows. The bodice neckline and stomacher are edged with tiny ruched rose silk and silk bows. The back "robe" is pleated rose silk, lined in the paisley. Her pagoda sleeves are silk and fine net, edged with tiny ivory lace. Matching lace fills the top of the stomacher. She wears gold slippers and carries a hand painted fan with tasseled cord loop.

When Juan asked me to dress his magnificent "Glenn" I was thrilled. I attempted to find a fabric which approximated that of the gown worn by the Marquise in her first scene. As this proved impossible, I decided to create the gown using a variety of fabrics and colors, and to interpret rather than duplicate. Juan and I agreed the style and general color scheme was the goal.

"Glenn" arrived at Crawford Manor, in a hair net and wearing only her jewelry (how else does one arrive at the dressmaker?). I was stunned at the phenomenal likeness.

It has been my great pleasure to have had this opportunity and to have, as a guest for only a short time, the lovely and talented Glenn Close, created by the charming and amazingly talented Juan Albuerne.

Thank you Juan
Cheryl Crawford
The Cheryl Crawford's site
The doll used for this Glenn Close was formerly a Candi with Russian mold (Hamilton Design Systeme trademark), remolded and repainted
And at the end, a single tear...