Orchids

I started watching the limited series, Halston, last night. I love late 1960s-1970s fashion. It's wild and decadent and a tad self-indulgent, so this series is my jam. I didn't know much about Halston going into the series except that he and Liza Minnelli were pals. I'm three episodes into the series, and here's what I've learned so far:

• Joel Schumacher, of St. Elmo's Fire. The Lost Boys and Batman & Robin fame, assisted on Halston's first collection.
• Halston was from Indiana.
• Hearing Emily Gilmore, I mean Kelly Bishop, swearing is the best thing ever.
• Halston loved orchids. He even had an orchid budget. I have no idea if he actually said this, but in episode one he tells Schumacher, "Orchids are part of my process," when Shumacher suggests Halston spend less of orchids to save money.

This last item is of particular importance given that today is my parents' 49th wedding anniversary, and orchids, specifically purple orchids, are the flowers of the 49th anniversary. I was trying to figure out what do for today's piece over the weekend, and found a few articles that referenced orchids as the 49th anniversary flower. Orchids are hard to draw, especially at the scale I use for this project and because my skills are still pretty beginner. My early attempts were terrible and strange looking (unpleasant strange, not fun strange). I decided to improvise, like Halston at the Battle of Versailles (at least according to the show), and made these orchids with French knots. 

Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad! 

Details:
Stitches: whipped back stitch, back stitch, fishbone, French knots
Thread palette: SS 113 (2 strands, 305 (3 strands), DMC 701 (2 strands), 210, 155 (3 strands)