Okay, so I’ve been obsessed with the red dress Nicole Kidman wears in Moulin Rouge! forever. You know, the one in the “Elephant Love Medley” scene? It’s just so iconic. I finally decided, “I’m gonna make one!” I have some sewing experience, but nothing this fancy, so it was definitely a challenge.
Finding the Right Stuff
First, I spent ages looking at pictures and clips from the movie. I scoured the internet for any close-ups I could find, trying to figure out what the heck kind of fabric it was. It looked like satin, but with some kind of texture? I ended up going with a duchess satin that had a little bit of a sheen but wasn’t super shiny.
- Duchess satin – for the main body
- Red lace – for the trim and details
- Lots and lots of boning- to give the corset shape
- Red lining fabric
The Construction Begins
I started with the bodice. Let me tell you, making a corset is HARD. I used a pattern I found online as a base, but I had to modify it A LOT to get that super-fitted, almost exaggerated shape that Nicole has in the movie. I drafted, pinned, sewed, ripped out seams, and sewed again more times than I can count.
The boning was a whole other adventure. I inserted the boning channels, and getting those curves right was a pain. I actually poked myself with the boning a few times, ouch!
Skirt Drama
Then came the skirt. The skirt is massive, all many layers, and it has that high-low hemline. I cut out what felt like miles of fabric. I gathered, pinned and stitched. Getting the drape right so it flowed like in the movie was tricky, but I got it.
Oh, and the lace! I carefully pinned and hand-stitched the lace trim all along the edges of the bodice and the skirt. That took FOREVER, but it really made a difference in the look.
The Final Touches
After weeks and many times of work, it was finally time to put it all together. I attached the bodice to the skirt, added the lining, and did a final fitting. Seeing it all come together was amazing! It’s not perfect, of course, but I’m really proud of it.
I’ve worn it to a couple of costume parties, and people always love it. It’s definitely a showstopper, just like in the movie. Now, if only I could sing and dance like Nicole Kidman…
