Silversärk

Casa
Italia
Venice
Silversärk

Ready-To-Wear and Bespoke clothing hand-crafted by Stephanie Schultz. www.silversark.com I am inspired by folklore, by the tales that evoke superstition and woe.

http://mediamilwaukee.com/features/victorian-in-the-city-showcasing-fashion-in-a-dressed-down-city

W h a t ' s I n A N a m e ? The name of my brand comes from the story of a Werewolf and a Princess, from the Swedish folk band Garmarna's song "Varulven." The Princess gets lost in the woods and happens upon a wolf-man set to prey upon her. She pleads with the creature, "Oh dear wolf, please don't b

ite me, I will give you my Silver Gown (Silversärk) " She offers her silver shoes and even her golden crown, but even that won't sate the beast. All it wants is her blood. I find this song to be a perfect blend of what it is I try to create. I am fascinated by the macabre, but also by the pageantry and elegance of historical costume, namely Elizabethan through Victorian times. I strive to make beautiful as well as atypical clothing that is extravagant yet accessible. A s A D e s i g n e r
I am a self-taught seamstress and designer; I have been sewing for ten years, and started up Silversärk in 2005 to provide high-quality Goth, Lo**ta, Steampunk and avant-garde clothing to the Midwest and internationally. I have an active Etsy page (my website is currently down but I am working on it), and I also gladly work on commission. I feel everyone should wear clothing as unique as they are, and take pride in my one-of-a-kind pieces. I am published in multiple magazines and have worked with many models and photographers all over the country (and Europe!) If you want to model my items but are not near my location, I do offer a rental system and am willing to send items if you coordinate the photoshoot. I also offer a different rental system for photographers interested in creating a unique and stunning editorial. I do NOT shoot TF unless the editorial is guaranteed publication. My clothing is an offshoot of Japanese Street Fashion (Lo**ta); it has nothing to do with the Vladimir Nabokov novel and everything to do with an updated and cute Rococo/Victorian style. You can read more about it here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lo**ta_fashion

A s A P h o t o g r a p h e r
I'm kind of a jack of all trades: I love doing photography, I can do makeup/styling, as well as modeling. I am currently looking for models to shoot in/near the Milwaukee area who want to expand their portfolio. I also travel to Racine a few times a year, so I may be able to coordinate shoots with models in Kenosha or Milwaukee as well. I am able to occasionally travel to Madison, WI and Chicago, Illinois, and Cincinnati and Mansfield, OH. but do not currently have plans to do so. I am NOT currently able to compensate any models or photographers financially nor with wardrobe; I'm more looking to create mutually beneficial relationships with models and photographers. A s A M o d e l
If you are a photographer in the Milwaukee area looking to expand your portfolio and want me to model for you, I'd love to! My schedule is very flexible. I am experienced in runway modeling as well as fashion and beauty shoots. My Etsy store:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/Silversark

07/09/2026

The Monday evening party (the 5th party I attended, phew!) during my time at 2025 was held at the absolutely breathtaking former church - (Ex Chiesa Santa Chiara) on the island of Murano. I had visited Murano in 2024 as part of a day trip to both and Burano, and had seen a demo on the island as well. However, I had never visited at night - see the 4th photo for one of my favorite nighttime shots I took on my way to the party! Another one of my "fashion puzzles" was figuring out how to incorporate garments I was already bringing/packing with me to fit with the theme of 's event, which was Pirates! My handy ivory "base gown" made from curtains came in clutch again, and I stitched on clear closures along the to keep the jacket in place. I used that "base gown" for three different looks during Carnevale, and used the sheer black Rococo-style petticoat for three looks as well. The entire ensemble was by a titled "Corsaire" by Britist artist Albert Henry Collings, finished in 1895. I will put it in a subsequent post for comparison! I fell in love with this gorgeous silver-damask for the jacket, and am so pleased with the results!

Huge thank you to and his lovely team for the first image!

Jacket, bodice, skirts by

26/08/2026

The Sunday evening party for Venice Carnevale 2025 hosted by was titled "Le Monde des Sorciers.” And of course it was a veritable feast for the eyes! I will always be enthralled by the creativity I see at Venetian parties, and this one was certainly no exception. I adored seeing everyone paying homage to the late Middle Ages in their various houppelandes with dagged sleeves and the gossamer veils of the hennins bobbing with conversation, and liripipes flopping about. I'm so glad to see a more recent high-fashion comeback for poulaines, my favorite type of ridiculous historical shoe - right up there with the Venetian chopines, of course. I think part of the reason why the 1400's style is so frequently associated with historical magicians/warlocks is due to the character of Merlin, one of the most important figures in the imagination and literature of the Middle Ages, as this character's origins go back as far as the 12th century. I'm a fan of keeping this trend alive and thriving. I want to see more bliauts, chaperons and wimples!

The party was absolutely stuffed to the gills, so much so that it was nearly impossible to move about until the crowd thinned out near the end of the night. But seeing so many familiar friendly faces (such as Julia in the second photo) all under the same roof makes for a fun fȇte!

18/08/2026

After departing from the Cioccobarocco party in the late afternoon/early evening, I scurried back to my accommodations to explode into the next outfit. Thankfully everything was an easy on-off and none of the garments had to go on over my head. This party was the one I was going back and forth on about whether or not I wanted to attend, and was the last one I decided to go for prior to leaving for Venice. This means I didn't make an entire ensemble specific to the theme of this party, but rather, used an amalgamation of the pieces I was already bringing for other outfits. I used the crown, scepter, gown and cape from my "La Serenissima" look, along with the burgundy velvet gown I made for the Arte delle Morte party to cobble together a gold-red "house" color story for the magical and mystical theme of the event. I pulled the gold bow collar from a Christmas-themed look I made a couple of years prior. I don't know how people in the past managed getting around without tripping over all the yards and yards of fabric they were wearing!

First photo by the ever-so-kind and talented

15/08/2026

One of the activities near the end of Flavia's Cioccobarocco party at Carnevale 2025 was the procession! The men who wanted to show off their goods in front of the appointed "doge" did their little catwalk and a curtsy, and then it was the womens turn. Because I was so tired and thirsty, I was going to sit it out. Once I saw that practically everyone had participated, I opted to join in just for the heckuvit.

After the procession, the doge determined who was his favorite lord and lady of Cioccobarocco. And GUESS WHO WON?! My friend took the men's prize, and I won the women's! The doge stated I embodied the spirit of the theme of Casanova, so Alexander and I walked away with gifts. All I'll say is that I'm glad I had checked luggage with me, because I received two giant bottles of Italian sundry items from Amovita. If there's anything I take away from Carnevale each year, it's a bunch of little random gifts from fellow attendees.

07/08/2026

Undoubtedly one of my favorite aspects from 2025 Carnevale was spending time with "the girls" - .sonia, Julia, Nadja, Laci, Tamara, Vibeke, Fleur, Susan, and so many others! Julia, Sonia and I took some shots out on the patio of the Hotel Monaco Grand Canal during Flavia's "Cioccobarocco" party. It was such a lovely day outside, but so sunny and bright, which made it hard to properly get The Basilica of Santa Maria della Salute in the background. We did our best!

I had made this moretta mask back in 2018 when I was the Artist in Residence at The Pfister hotel, for the Victorian Masquerade I held there in October of my residency. While I know that this mask style is pre-Victorian, I was so inspired by a campaign I saw from Macabre Gadgets. Someday I will own one of their giant marble composite rings. Statement piece jewelry is a staple in my wardrobe. While most of my jewelry from this outfit I assembled from various bits and bobs, the necklace is a real pearl vintage piece from the 50's, which I acquired many, many moons ago as an employee at a vintage clothing store. It was a really fun job, and I managed to get some incredible deals on so many things I still wear and incorporate into the ensembles I wear to this day.

Mixing modern and antique or vintage components is an integral part not only to my design philosophy, but my personal one as well. I love hunting for unique pieces at a good price, even though I don't go out hunting as often as I used to.

Third image by Francesca Ruggiera, who I shot with earlier in the day outside Campo San Lorenzo and in a "secret" campo that gets fabulous indirect light.

04/08/2026

On the second Sunday of Venice Carnevale 2025 was the much-loved and well-attended "Cioccobarocco" party hosted by resident Venetian . This party, at the beautiful Hotel Monaco Grand Canal, consists of dance lessons from the inimitable Mme. Carla Favata di Palermo (primarily in Italian and French - thank goodness I understand Italian well enough to take directions!) with desserts and Venetian hot chocolate afterwards. Because the theme for the party was loosely inspired by Casanova, I wanted to do my own take on a Robe a la Piétmontaise, but a little saucier - and, of course, black. I also used the skirt 3 times throughout the duration of Carnevale, and is probably one of my most-used pieces for these types of events since I made it. I've even worn it as a dress more than once!

One of the memories that sticks with me the most from this party was just how relentlessly thirsty I was, but I was too physically weak to open up all the delicious glass water bottles available to drink. I just kept waiting for an open one to be available to chug as much as I could. Putting in ~18k steps a day with 5 hours of sleep a night after endless party prosecco ain't easy lol. By this point during my travels, this wig had been THROUGH IT and I couldn't even get the lace to lay anymore. I also did a few photoshoots in this look in the morning prior to the party.

Third photo by Francesca Ruggieri
Bodice, skirt, collar and moretta by
Shoes by

30/07/2026

I was absolutely delighted to attend the evening party on the second Saturday of 2025 Venice Carnevale hosted by Marco and Toto - with the theme being "La Corte Dei Medici." My inspiration for this Italian High Renaissance-style ensemble was influenced by paintings from the period, namely Domenico Ghirlandaio and one of my favorite and a lesser-lauded artists, Carlo Crivelli, as well as ambassador gowns I had seen in 2024 at the Museo di Palazzo Mocenigo and during an opera performance for a party I attended at Palazetto Pisani.

One of the reasons why I enjoy Marco and Toto's party so much is how immersive it feels. The evening starts with live music appropriate to the theme/era of the party, with fresh flowers arranged near the service table where one can be given an endless stream of prosecco. Once the live music concludes, there is a procession with the hosts welcoming the guests before the entertainment begins. The entertainment for the party were a couple of young lads showing off the latest Renaissance-era inventions. These two fellows had us all cracking up doing silly tricks on a bicycle and displaying their acrobatic skills with the "Vetruvian Man" skills using a giant hoop. Everyone's spirits were high from such thrilling and hilarious hijinks, and after the dinner buffet upstairs, the evening concluded with disco dancing. It seemed like everybody who's anybody was there, and it is always such a pleasure to mingle with the lovely and so many others, dressed to the absolute nines!

28/07/2026

On the second Saturday of 2025 Venice Carnevale, I had the distinct pleasure of attending the evening party hosted by Marco and Toto - with the theme being "La Corte Dei Medici." I took a stab at Italian High Renaissance gowns with additional inspiration taken from paintings from the period, namely Domenico Ghirlandaio and one of my favorite and a lesser-lauded artists, Carlo Crivelli.

The Ivory bodice with the giant bishop sleeves and the extra-long ivory petticoat/skirt I'd used not only for my first party look for Heike's Catacomb saints party, but also as the base for this look. The sheer overdress, also used for the "La Serenissima" look I'd worn earlier this day I made convertible by splitting the sleeve down the center, adding decorative buttons and hook an eye closures, in order to wear the sleeves "normally" or as a kind of "hanging sleeve" with the hooks partially undone. I also added slits to the sides of this overgown, so that the antique Indian velvet and zardozi belt I was using for the look could be slid into the slits so that the front/underbust area was fitted, but the back could remain freely billowy. Was it difficult to dress myself with these details? Yes! But I was pleased with the results!

While waiting in line to enter the party, walking down the calle across from me was who I'd only ever seen for many years on my phone screen. Was I a little starstruck and had a bit of a freakout seeing him in person? Yes. But he was gracious enough to chat for a bit before we went inside to enjoy the festivities. His German style Renaissance attire was one of several gorgeous displays of austere German fashion (such as what my friend also wore) and a lovely visual contrast from the Spanish and Italian styles worn by others. It was a visual feast!

22/07/2026

After the tea party hosted by .sonia at Aman hotel on the second Saturday of 2025 Venice Carnevale, I beelined back to my hotel to change for the evening party hosted by Marco and Toto - their venue is always kept secret, with physical tickets left the day before at Cafe Florian to reveal the location. The theme was "La Corte Dei Medici" - since the Medici family was so powerful and influential in Italy for centuries, it gave guests a rather wide array of garments to choose from between the Late Middle Ages through to the Enlightenment era of the 18th century. However, most guests attended in Italianate Renaissance attire, as the 16th century was the height of the Medici's power. I made my first attempt at Italian High Renaissance gowns with inspiration taken from an Ambassador's Robe I had seen on display during Carnevale 2024 at Museo di Palazzo Mocenigo, which specializes in the study and preservation of textiles, costume and perfume. I also had become enthralled by one of the robes worn by a male opera singer during the Casanova-themed party I'd attended with Sonia also in 2024.

The challenge I posed to myself was to create a selection of garments to bring with me for Carnevale 2025 that could be mixed and matched and re-used to create at least 2 looks in order to minimize my luggage. As much of a maximalist as I am in some aspects of my life, I am a minimalist and strategic with how I pack for travel. I wanted to make an ambassador's style cloak that could also translate to an Italian high renaissance "stola" - so I made the huge sleeves removable and made the sides of the cloak able to separate with hook and eye closures. It took some engineering and trial and error, but I liked how it turned out. I added a Watteau back to the cloak for added volume/density. Stay tuned for the next post to hear more about my "fashion Tetris."

18/07/2026

The last few photos from the series shot with who did a wonderful job capturing the majesty of the during the tea party hosted by .sonia . Looking back on these makes me realize that it's been over a year since I've seen a few of these friends, and one of both the joys and hardships of making international friends is the distance. On one hand, it is incredible to be able to land somewhere and see familiar faces, but the infrequency makes it bittersweet. It seems now I could pick any European country to visit and be able to meet with an international friend, which is a true gift. Carnevale has a unique way of bringing together some of the most talented, creative and interesting people I've ever met! .velvet.couture

Cape and gowns by

Indirizzo

San Marco 2814
Venice
30124

Sito Web

https://www.silversark.com/

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