ULLABENULLA

Monstrosities of 1818...

(by George Cruikshank)

Korean Full Moon Story...

These pictures make me think of oriental fairytales... Vogue Korea October 2007 Photographed by Kim Kyung Soo about traditional Korean costume. (Link found Here)

Mittens and Flowers...

I love these mittens and necklaces by Arolilja Design...

Useless Beauty in Paper!

Recently Florizelle did an amazing post on Danish Fashion designer Violise Lunn! I was so captivated by it, that I felt she had found this designer just for me... Violise points her skills in two directions, designing high-end evening wear from stunning fabrics she has collected from around the world; and sculpting figure silhouettes, angels and her favourite theme of shoes from delicate papers. Allowing herself to divide her time between these two artforms, the usable and the useless, Violise Lunn lets them feed each other with inspiration. Their origin is the same – to permit dreaminess and the search for perfection. LOVELY!!!
(Thank you Florizelle for sharing divine inspiration yet again!!!)

Shoe For A Fairy Queen

This delightful Altered Shoe created by Denise Fontaine is called "Shall We Dance?" and is available at Cottage Touch on Etsy. I love the over the top Marie Antoinette feel she has created! Wonderful!!!

Vintage Fancy Dress...

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Todays Inspiration!

Lea and I are off to another Blogland Fete hosted by none other than 'Queen of France' Corey and her Godmother Mary! I won't spoil the secret, but I will share my Inspiration for todays 'party favors'!

These dyed, stitched and embellished 'gloves' by Kate Fletcher pay tribute to her mother who in the 1950’s, brought up children, cooked, cleaned, sewed, darned, blued and wrung the washing, ochred the fireplace, chopped the firewood and fixed the electrics, always looking her best on any outing like so many women in her time. And from The Worshipful Company of Glovers of London come these wonderful photos of leather Gauntlet gloves and leather gloves trimmed with ribbons, from the 1600's. Last is a 'sneak peek' at what I created... More photos soon!!!

Creating Fashion With Meaning...

I posted about installation artist and fashion designer J. Morgan Puett early this year HERE. After closing her Wooster Street store in 1997, and archiving all of its contents, (some in beeswax!) Puett has focused her artistic practice on large-scale collaborative projects that mine her interest in the role of fashion and garments on culture, both historical and contemporary, in efforts that honor labor and “missing links to history.” These photos are from her "Broom Street Store Interiors" and fashions created there. Lovely...!

Deconstructed and Reconstructed Fashions

I find the couture fashions of Marc Le Bihan facinating... They remind me a little of what it might be like to dress in the dark within a rather well stocked large closet. It feels right, but at first glance may not look quite right. But then you look again, and you smile... Wonderful!!!

Fairy's and Wings - Oh My!!!

These incredibly beautiful dolls are by the multitalented Renae Taylor! A woman of many many talents Renae also makes these beautiful paper wings, that any fairy lover would covet!!! Somehow she also finds the time to draw, paint and sculpt many other delightful fairy like treasures not to be missed! ENJOY!!!

Curious Adventures...

I really like these little paper dolls by Catherine of My Folk Lover! She tweeks 'Marie's Ship Headdress' and adds whimsy and delight! You can buy these as well as other wonderful pieces of Catherine's work HERE!!!

A Victorian Clothing Magpies DREAM!

In my daily online prowling I have discovered the delightful clothing company called Gibbous based in Portland, Oregon. Oh my, If I had the time and closets that they do, truly this is how I would dress! Little bits and pieces of history, put together like a Victorian dress-makers puzzle! Don't miss their online Gallery, each image has multiple images, a fantasy of artistic wonderland designs!!! DREAMY!

ROMANTIC FAIRY CROWNS

Brenda Walton recently did a post on the work of her "adopted Fairy Godmother" Paulee Gomke and I just couldn't resist showing you!!! In Brenda's words: "Reminiscent of something out of a Shakespearean fantasy, Paulee layers precious silks, satins and embroidered dresses, trims, laces, and exquisite beads to create these utterly unique works of art. Each one is a magnificent labor of love, and completely awe-inspiring... Perfect for special events and royal coronations, each crown is as beautiful on the outside as it is on the inside (just like Paulee). The velcro stitched into the ends makes it easily adjustable for all sizes."
These crowns are truly breathtaking and look like something fairies would wear to a Mid-summers ball! Lucky Brenda to have a Godmother so talented and Lucky us that we can share in her creations!!! (Thank you BRENDA for letting me post about Paulee!!!)

Romanian Fashion Illustration

These are by Romanian Artist Deea Muntean! I really like her contemporary line and use of bright colors, mixed with folktales and myth from her heritage!!!

How To Create the Marie Antoinette Hairstyle

Via 18th Century. Plus a photo of Kirsten as 'Marie' between film takes...!

Perfect Dress For Summer!

I adore this dress Via The Sartorialist!

Fairy Tale of London Fashions

I have been a huge fan of the clothing and accessories line English Eccentrics for years! So I was very pleasantly surprised that they now have images from their past design process, i.e. 'Sketchbooks' online now. These images from their Fairy Tale of London - Autumn/Winter 2006 collection are very timely for me, being inspired by papercuttings and silhouettes! Be sure and look at their Sale Items too, as some of these pieces are still available, although for a 'pretty penny'!!!

Dreams, Love and Sleep

"In my work, the garment becomes a representation of a woman's body and of her experience." These are the words of Cazlove describing these evocative and beautiful installations shown here. She shares this poem with us:

“Last night as I lay sleeping
I dreamt O, marvelous error,
that there was a beehive
here inside my heart
and the golden bees
were making white combs
and sweet honey from
all of my failures.”-Machado de Assis

Setting the mood for her beautiful clothing like art-pieces, with details that wrap around our hearts... Stunning!!!

So Very French!

Isn't this 18th Century Phrygian cap wonderful?

Forest Finery

These fantasy clothing designs by Sonya Linsay of Ancient Grove make me think of moonlit festivals under twinkling stars!!! Truly delightful!