Plis Watteau: an 18th century dress with pleats on the back as depicted by Rococo artist Jean-Antoine Watteau (1684 to 1721) in his romantic paintings. Also known (rather unbecomingly) as a sack-back gown – but what’s your view? Over-blown or Over-bearing? Silky-sumptious or sickly sweet? Rococo or roco-off? Chillax: The sack gown was first […]Read Post ›
From the Old French veluotte, (meaning hairy or shaggy), velvet is a distinctive closely woven fabric with a thick soft pile on one side. Known for it’s kid softness, shiny lustre, sumptuous elegance and sense of decadence. The fabric of the privileged, to wear and as home decoration; velvet is also very versatile. […]Read Post ›
Aconitum napellus or Aconite. Also known as monkshood, wolfsbane, leopard’s bane, women’s bane, Devil’s helmet. A distinctive looking wildflower; strong and sturdy, with striking deep purple or blue, hood-like petals. One of the deadliest plants in the garden. Associated with war and murder and hate. Like the fanatical terrorists who have sought to maim […]Read Post ›
Ushanka or “ear hat”. Derived from ushi (у́ши), “ears” in Russian. A Russian fur cap with ear flaps that can be tied up to the crown of the cap, or fastened at the chin. Often made from expensive sheepskin, rabbit or muskrat fur. Ushankas made from artificial fur are called “fish fur”; material not from a real animal. Mink […]Read Post ›
A soft, fine silk, cotton, or nylon material, used for making veils and dresses. Evanescent, romantic and elegant. Loved by brides the world over. Tulle is a favorite fashion tool. As an accent, to create a lacy, floating look. To obscure the features of the face or highlight a hat. To create a structure for petticoats and skirts […]Read Post ›
“Rosebud” the dying words of Citizen Kane, have been interpreted in many ways. But Orson Welles was clear; the word stood for his mother’s love, a love this complicated, complex man, never lost. (It was the trade name of a the little sledge Kane was playing on, the day he was taken away from his home and […]Read Post ›
With less than a month to go to the General Election Jeremy Corbyn could do with some supportive headlines. But instead the old-fashioned, unassuming, low-key Leftie is getting a Press battering. A study by Loughborough University, this week, reports the Labour Party, and Jeremy in particular, are metorphorically drowning in a sea of negative news. Probably best known for being […]Read Post ›
A French diminutive of rose. Normally refers to a rose-shaped decoration or pattern. Rosettes are all around us from architecture to accessories. Based on the botanical rosette, the leaves and petals radiate out from the stem of a plant to create a formalized flower motif. For centuries this has been carved in stone or wood for decoration on architecture […]Read Post ›
Mrs May, ever the Vicar’s daughter, seemingly wants to deliver us unto us. And she seems to aim to do so with strength and graciousness. Like a snapdragon. Upright, tall and strong. The flower with power and jaws and a snout. Believed to protect, restore, and strengthen… Mrs May, despite, or because of, her tired eyes, seems more than […]Read Post ›
To quilt is to stuff or stitch, from the Latin culcita meaning a cushion or bolster and the French, cuilte. Traditionally considered a warm bed covering made of feathery padding between layers of fabric and kept in place by lines of stitching or appliqué, typically in a decorative design. Today we wear quilts; as […]Read Post ›
