Princess Sophia became Catherine the Great of Russia and, in taking on that role, had to change her name. In the film 'The Scarlet Empress' from 1934, Marlene Dietrich played the Empress and this piece is inspired by her wedding scene. It was Catherine the Great who reintroduced the wearing of 'kokoshniki', the traditional head-dresses in Russian national costume. This has been made using a number of techniques including print and hand stitch with added beads and embellishments.