Alice en Bataille, the limited edition Couture Noir costume by Heavy Red.
en Bataille {French: in Battle}

Imprisoned by the Queen, drained of all her color, Alice [Emprisonne] had sunk into a bottomless despair. When her mind had exhausted all thoughts of escape, she was left alone with a silent darkness, save the beating of her heart. Louder and louder it pounded, seeming to cry “I am Alice! I am Alice! I am Alice!” Gaining strength from this inner drumbeat, Alice felt the will to survive penetrate every fiber of her being. Miraculously, her dress began to turn from grey to blue, her shackles fell away, her eyes became clear with steely purpose. The Queen may have twisted her mind and weakened her heart, but Alice’s soul still lay hidden within her. She was no longer the sweet innocent who had fallen down the Rabbit Hole . . . Wonderland had changed her . . .

Vowing to take back all that the Queen had stolen from her, Alice rose up and watched as the prison walls melted, leaving her standing in a forest, fully adorned in battle armor, sword in hand. The mandate was clear - liberate herself [and perhaps all of Wonderland] from the clutches of the Queen.

Threading her way through the labyrinthine forest, she came upon the Queen’s Tragic Wall of Thorns surrounding The Inner Kingdom. A renegade red rose blooming on the thorns beckoned to Alice . . . sensing its taunting message, she plucked it off and put it on her hat.

Filled with her mission, Alice had no thoughts of the future, of consequences or outcomes . . . for the first time since she entered Wonderland, maybe ever, she was completely in the Present Moment and at one with herself. Now at the edge of The Inner Kingdom, in the calm before the storm, she paused and closed her eyes. She heard once again the refrain of her heart beating “I am Alice.” She could feel Wonderland itself draping protectively around her . . .

When she opened her eyes, she found herself enveloped by a tree unlike any other she had ever seen. Its massive trunk soared into the sky while its huge roots seemed like the arteries of Life itself. It had a throb within it that merged with the beat of her heart . . . she knew she was ready . . . Alice en Bataille!

The Dress, True Alice has re-emerged in her Essence Blue, more beguiling than ever! Only Alice could look so fierce and so beautiful! Femininity never to be lost (even when Alice is!). The elegant muted blue soft cotton dress has a vintage feel with an incredibly adjustable and versatile look.

The bust is both seamed & gathered for a smooth fit in front, with shoulder straps that tie in back to accommodate size differences. The gently shaped bodice features delicate vertical pleating down the center, where it meets the 3 hip bands that extend to the back of the dress. Two horizontal bands cross over the pleating at the waist for subtle shape emphasis.

The skirt of the dress is lush with layer upon layer of bias-cut ruffles and panels which float & swirl with your every move. There are two sets of long straps on the skirt, should you wish to tie the hem up shorter or asymmetrically. A full corset-style closing in back customizes the overall fit and continues the drama of the cascading ruffles.

Fabric contents: 100% Cotton
Soft silky fabric. No stretch.

Care: Machine wash cold. Tumble dry cold. Iron is needed.

Details: Back zipper. Adjustable straps (can be tied at any length). Corseting back for perfect fit. Tiered ruffled scalloped skirt. Pleats and intricate seaming.

Note: Shown here with Alice Armor Corset, gauntlets and accessories, all sold separately.