Maid Silvia LXXVI Lilly Harper Ryan
Ryan to be crowned at 2 p.m. on the campus of Davis & Elkins College
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ELKINS -- Maid Silvia Lilly Ryan, LXXXVI, will be wearing an exquisite design, custom envisioned for her very tall and slender frame.
She will descend Coronation Hill today in the color of deep amethyst purple velvet. The velvet gown is an A-Line design, but with many new features not seen before on our festival queens.
"This year's 'Timeless Traditions' theme inspired me to create a gown which showcases the subtle curves found in the leaves of the white oak. Oak trees possess the deepest root system. The idea of 'deep roots' along with 'Timeless Traditions' resonated with me," said Connie Linger, designer of the gown and owner of Miss Connie's.
Lilly's gown features a "V" neckline, embroidered with a garland of simple gold and purple leaves. Crystals and gold beadwork enhance the garland, making it appear as a necklace. Reaching well above her neckline is a stunning sheer gold organza ruff inspired by the Queens of early Europe! It is edged in gold lurex and accented with golden crystal clusters.
At the waistline, a warrior's belt of gold lurex is softened by the same embroidered leaves in purple and gold. A simple abstract butterfly rests at the center front, its body created from golden Swarovski crystals. The belt is the perfect waistline accent for a tall, slim model like Lilly and serves to cinch her iridescent purple taffeta over skirt. The taffeta overskirt features a never-before-seen pleated high waist extension pointing upwards to caress the bodice and is edged at the top with gold beadwork.
Down from the belt flows a display of leaves. Lilly's amethyst velvet is used to create the oak leaves, which are embroidered in light gold. Velvet oaks "fall" onto the taffeta with taffeta oaks falling onto the velvet skirt.
The gold cotton lurex is used as an accent throughout the design, including maple leaves among the oaks. The overskirt is edged in the golden lurex to highlight the shape as if an oak leaf was wrapped and cinched at Lilly's waist. Just above the garland of oaks and maples, simple leaf "cut-outs" can be seen backed with gold glitter organza. You can peek through them when the breeze lifts the overskirt slightly.
At the very hem of the gown is a golden lurex band glowing with an arrangement of amethyst and aurora borealis crystals. Above the band, the "fallen" leaves are caught and secured onto the velvet skirt front.
Lilly's sleeves are in two parts. A long-puffed sleeve of golden glitter organza, topped by a wide bell sleeve of her amethyst velvet. The velvet bell sleeve is enhanced in the same way as the overskirt, edged with leaves and gold banding. All leaves on the gown are accented at the stem by crystals from amethyst to gold and many gemstone colors which are the favorites of Director General Peggy Phillips.
Miss Connie said, "Maid Silvia's train begins at the back waist and is another first for me, in that, it is of three layers."
The layers mimic a fantasy of oak leaves layered on top of each other. The top layer is an extension of the overskirt, done in taffeta and embellished to match. The second layer is a large amethyst velvet oak leaf that flows from underneath the top layer and is edged with an array of the same oaks and maples as the first. The final layer is of taffeta but is edged in a wide band of velvet. This layer features a display of maple leaves in all the velvets of the 40 Princesses, as well as velvets used in the entire Minor Court. The leaves all glisten with accents of gemstone crystals.
At the very bottom, SILVIA LXXXVI, is embroidered on larger oak leaves. It is the monarch's "timeless" signature and denotes the year for Lilly's reign. The golden banding around all the edges of the layers creates an endless line which, when viewed in photos, creates a swirl of sorts, as if a breeze has blown around her.
A special thanks to Sheila Scott for embroidery of embellishments and Flower Girl finishes, Lola Collier for Woodly the Elf and Train Bearers, and Dottie Price for Crown Bearer and Scepter Bearer embellishments.
"These ladies' skills never fail to aid me in producing my 'Timeless Traditions' visions!" Miss Connie said.