Costume
What is an Antique?
What is an Antique? An antique is something made in a previous era. However, according to antique dealers, their associations and the tax man, it is not really that simple at all.
Wine, Women and Song – A Tripartite Motto for All Time
Wine was made before history was recorded. For thousands of years it has given comfort, pleasure and evoked high spirits among man people in many different countries and cultures.
Shakespeare: Staging the World – Shaping England’s Identity
From July to November 2012 the British Museum is presenting what will most likely be one of the key exhibitions of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Celebrations. Shakespeare – Staging the World will be produced in collaboration with the Royal Shakespeare Company. It aims to provide an innovative perspective on the bard and his plays.
Musical Muses – How Rock and Roll Influences Fashion
Gazing at the US Vogue February issue, I was struck by cover girl pop singer Taylor Swifts amazing resemblance to a young Pattie Boyd. Boyd was, and is the beautiful woman who inspired Beatle George Harrison to write “Something” and “I Need You”. She is also the subject of” Layla” and “Wonderful Tonight”, both by [...]
Lord Byron – A Rock Star Poet in an Age of Extravagance
For historians the Regency era in England is about romantics and revolutionaries, poets and princes, architects and artists. It was a paradox where extremes met
The China Trade Begins with Precious Cargoes from Cathay
Ceramic traditions since ancient times have undergone many cross fertilizations by their exposure to various cultures. The first stirring of what we now describe as the China Trade began when Europe was still emerging from the medieval period and would build momentum slowly peaking during the nineteenth century.
Brilliance of Diamonds
George IV was the last of the Hanoverian Georgian Kings and gave an impressive diamond riviére to his mistress Elizabeth, Lady Conyngham, who reputedly received gifts of jewels valued at the time in the region of 80,000 pounds. Jewellers in the early nineteenth century were realizing the importance of light to the brilliance of diamonds, [...]
My Top 10 Oscar Dresses Of All Time
I think we all love the Academy Awards, in fact I love award ceremonies! I am always desperate to see who will make best dressed or has the biggest shocker! This week I am sharing my ‘Top Ten’ favourite Oscar Dresses. It was incredibly hard to cull my list, but I hope you will agree [...]
Cameo Diadems
The fashion for cameos and intaglios began soon after Napoleon’s Italian campaign of 1796 when cameos were brought back to France from Italy. Many of these were of Greek or Roman origin. Their beauty and perfection fascinated Napoleon. He had some mounted especially for his own use and for his sister, the very beautiful Paolina [...]
Schiaparelli & Prada – The Art of Fashion for the Modern Age
‘Schiaparelli and Prada Impossible Conversations’ exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art New York explores two dynamic doyennes of fashion in different eras
What Is Art Deco – Does it Celebrate Life as Art?
Art Deco was about integrating contemporary living with art, and turning life into art, against those consciously working for the undoing of art and its purpose was enjoyment.
Netsuke, Mini Art Marvels – Coveted Collectables
Isn’t he cute? He’s a decorative little toggle called netsuke, pronounced netskeh, literally meaning ‘root for fastening’. J’adore ! Netsuke made their debut late in the seventeenth century as an aspect of Japanese costume, specifically for a man. Traditionally Japanese men wore a garment called kosode, which had no pockets. An elegant solution was to [...]
Bikini Girls – Splitting the Atom on Sicily in a Roman Villa
Perhaps the best known mosaics of the ancient Roman world are images of girls wearing an ancient version of a bikini and so they have been nicknamed ‘bikini girls’.
The Hume Report – Australian Fashion Industry
Last month Fashion Elixir editor stylist Jo Bayley and I attended the InForum Group‘s excellent presentation by veteran fashion editor and commentator Marion Hume at Mossgreen Gallery at Melbourne. The evening was a great success. Everyone appreciated the warm welcome, the setting, the culinary delights and Marion Hume’s candour, as well as her insights into [...]
Queensland Ballet Wonderland for François Klaus’s Final Year
In his final year at the helm of the Queensland Ballet Francois Klaus has lost none of his passion or the commitment he is renowned for in imagining Wonderland.
Napoleon: Revolution to Empire @ NGV – A Winter Masterpiece
Napoleon – destiny power and passion – the legend comes alive in the Melbourne Winter Masterpieces Exhibition 2012 at the NGV (National Gallery Victoria). The show Napoleon: Revolution to Empire is sure to engage all observers, who will more than likely be completely overwhelmed at the magnificence and quality of the over 500 art works and objet d’art featured.
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Shanghai Scenes
Explore the delights of the burgeoning Shanghai arts scene, including the visual arts music, dance and literature.
