![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl__4sGwqSdiuLh88o7c_jFXO0rCzyfhtu-TzNPH1S9hXUpInKGag3HLo-8QVrHO5DLhtKl1dJTX2JqfS_wQ1m_6s_q8rS5YOMZrjomXGLUrR8l8z4UL9EkWX0_poId_xh4GR-igJi4iw/s400/dining+room+4.JPG)
Last week I had the pleasure of visting one of my favorite DC museums,
Hillwood, to see the new exhibit
Pret-a-Papier by paper artist
Isabelle de Borchgrave.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz5ZwqfaEugLNCAleqfdlRJ-PkYaUvGKrdFKLsi2pqGfvCblq8Ok-hPSYmN8FWc3A1VG29OlK71N2TYTIs35cJD6PMS9rdu_dJ0Fygi6rJ-JGervyQDUKIgodqVgNNI3nV1_GT-xkvip4/s400/Closet.JPG)
Unlike many exhibits at
Hillwood, this one is spread throughout the mansion itself as well as in one of the exhibit spaces on the
estate.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3UBTNxNeHIRYwQLKDbUPngXy45IMdKIyigp2WnjKSG9EcrOq2lcdKFWkkaL361YFLOiBrF7QySucQlS2u-AxUhc8RZh6zDGW2H-vNcSyVizvABFdHPG70yPN1qEy77W5lXIkxt-_8gE8/s400/french+dress+a+la+polonaise.JPG)
Believe it or not, all of the historic clothing you see here is made of nothing but paper and paint!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjre1J80fBIFtYiJHqRRUzEJ3DRPPK0_19QyFyhzoa3P8kCJY3oTMROFkNJf7A-GSC9xfUt6KPbccryzBQvoZKmwoavc_Bvi46-kl_MqWhVQVUVupjuC9LjpaPrPqjc4IJT-idRQz_JrjE/s400/french+dress+detail.JPG)
De Borchgrave brings such life to paper that you would swear there were living, breathing people housed in her creations.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgS59C5h6gA7lkTRrAd53p6N0G-NixNWXgQ5ttlo3Yee6dSORqe7x8epQeA5TyJx7AEicIOUtFN4JZgasMppiJwZfS6ZbklbMDngqN8SxMumdmZtu6fdVJxmwj59rf7EfCnCwH58Heiyc/s400/boyer+wedding+feast.JPG)
My 2 favorite were based on paintings in the collection in the ballroom / screening room, seen here.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0SB5Ljqgr7j8sKga7d3YDl8mFzudz6cEBm662rW2He5JwEpyw4CKKOBEXUX_LMBK9p0rmp9Bpt439Bw6RcDhdvA2TFfuK57JPXDFCYV0SEc_rU4S6DhOmckO2dI8elDwj7rGp5Uo2PCc/s400/Countess+Samoilova.JPG)
The piece on Countess Samoilova even included the jewelry in paper!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbTc6twZGiKVEK35sd-742lSuZqp0fSGETH5ZQ7N83o6I-FOH6uiZhJlGtTjn2SvhVYrt-65e8OSsW8M-WBwQdhKIdyVZLnXEngmiafKqjso00n1bJBYpuUevEFcvEcJ1YLEIxmSFvlns/s400/flapper+dresses.JPG)
The pieces span the 17th through the 20th centuries, much like Hillwood's collection. I loved these flapper dresses found out in the Adirondack building.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIRl8g9UmwHHPLoNJJBGkBmz3dvin1Sp0UAlfvlSgUa7eVt09jb3HCjnNrR_9cEHoebn9kRFKX8biJ8ZH4oUTo5-10nLLgXd3hKRnbDJRny1HI_R8vcjV71vxaaI_4zafG3YzzQtFPNEk/s400/19th+century+dress.JPG)
This 19th dress in Mrs. Post's bedroom reminded me of something she might have worn in her teens.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr0oRof7EgVBatGOAIHiEoybncFlbJ625vfwmrDLYYTtvR1RMkkvc3HHp-X2APwEG0nHdgid8mp1UrlDK_140jQtTfeHCXh3JgEMQru5TaJ7VBYkLJH7GVLLOt2ZokOJRDvkDAiMPw1_A/s400/salon.JPG)
The French Salon featured matching costumes;
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivCBU3DXnJV_Puj4TnGaCTnCnHIsayji90J6ru1DctuAKADaTMPt7kz-aefwMaSw5liA7aA_ZZYn-AGHVYVbelaNiVw90On0Z6xIERrIocFpyEKHYZraH9YRfGpoPWCzhoH8Z4wNMlinQ/s400/salon+shoes.JPG)
Including shoes!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh8ySZrF4z6MOk2rZb_63eiEVzQaHgXYmLJhbof9IZBpGHJQlBkvYQi3zYyLSzot-oAG6DuA9y3L1UxnjnNMOXJyAqevMBySh8nZkz6O9yaa5swG_12SUbdg_OO1BMXmT5AB0hMpK83KQ/s400/martha+dress+2.JPG)
I loved the details on this dress, you could practically see Martha Washington wearing this.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibtqDqQWyoWGl74Hqjvad3H2zKLsWUfJT_jHr-CGdylVPLSW7aqBjb9XLefq1UZ61EMpbtE57NBtNwFPq-u6COfcmxYhW_f7HzKoYRQOr6hEO_3W8CZQXHFFJI4Hf02NwQA20iZdv94Ew/s400/green+small+bag.JPG)
Don't miss Pret a Papier on view now at
Hillwood through December 30. Don't forget, the collection is constantly changing so you'll always see something new other than the lovely seasonal gardens!