Monica Bellucci

 Monica Bellucci

Perhaps you remember Monica Bellucci in 'Malena'. If you have time to watch it again, do so. Apart from a fantastic World War II story, Bellucci is portrayed wearing some fantastic 1940s fashion - summer & winter clothing as well as lingerie which revokes an era of depravity but also fantastic silhouettes.

It was a time of rationing and fashion had to make to do some pretty basic materials - wood became useful for making wood jewellery which could be quite pretty too. The metals were all being used for the war effort.. meaning weapons.
Take a look at this pretty pup...

Vintage Dog Brooch

If you would like to help the earthquake-stricken zone of Haiti, visit http://www.justadrop.org/

and find out just why water is the most elementary of needs for these people.

If you would like to participate in FairyFiligree's current Tuesday Giveaway click HERE for more details.

Have a lovely weekend!

Clothes & Business & Prada

The business of selling clothing, providing clothing, making clothing, making the cloth for clothing etc, etc .... well I had never really stopped to consider how complex it is, nor how many people benefit, profit or actually live from it. But after watching the 2006 film 'The Devil Wears Prada' I got to seriously thinking around an industry which to many might seem superfluous and utterly capitalist. I remember the scene where Andrea Sachs (played by Anne Hathaway) looks on as Miranda Priestly (played by the exceptional Meryl Streep) selects some clothes for a photo shoot and passing a comment about the blue colour of a garment. The retort from Miranda is scathing but plainly explains how that blue came about and how, through the complicated fashion chain, it was the same blue which eventually ended up in the high street fashion shops and the very same clothes which Andrea is wearing on the day! If you haven't seen the film, then you really must make it a point to see it.

Do you ever stop to think where your clothes come from, where the idea to create them came from? Do you ever stop to think where your vintage clothes come from? That is even more of a loaded question!
Send me your comments to participate in my very first Giveaway HERE.

Pins

Speaking of coats the other day, I got thinking about things that help give a coat distinction. I mean, not all coats are stunners. Some are so very plain simple and drab... until you give them that little magic touch. Here is some inspiration.....it's all vintage by the way.

Vintage Miriam Haskell Pin

1970s Maurice Milleur Silvertone (Steel) Feather Brooch or Pin

Vintage 1930s Silver Filigree Butterfly Pin 

(this is not Maltese filigree)

Cameo Brooch

Blue Flower Brooch

Maltese Cross Pin

Rivoli Stone Cluster Brooch

Pitcher of Flowers Brooch

Maltese Filigree

Somebody just asked me what is Maltese Filigree? Here are some pictures to show you its beauty.

Maltese Cross in Silver Maltese Filigree (handmade)

Antique Gold Maltese Filigree (circa 19th Century)

Maltese filigree bracelets with Swarovski crystals

Maltese filigree bracelet with turquoise stones

Silver Maltese Filigree earring (contemporary design)

Maltese Filigree Thimble - click here for website selling Maltese Filigree

And don't forget to check out FairyFiligree's current & very first GIVEAWAY. Click on TUESDAY GIVEAWAY to find out more.

First Tuesday Giveaway

I'm trying to discipline myself to post every day... or every other day....on average. Today I decided that I would launch Fairy Filigree's very first giveaway, freebie, complimentary present, call it what you will.

And since Tuesday is a day which is neither here nor there, it's not mid-week and it's not anywhere near a weekend, I thought I'd cheer you up on Tuesdays and will present a giveaway on whichever Tuesday in the month I find something to excite your fancy.

This little vintage hanky has a lovely green/white print design with tiny polka dots and a pretty pronounced border. I'm sure you'll find good use for it - sorry I can't send the yellow rose along with it too. That comes off my favourite rose bush and it's the last of the season as I pruned the bush back last Sunday ahead of the season. I love yellow roses.....

All you have to do is write in and tell me what you do in your life on Tuesdays, what Tuesdays mean to you.... Remember to send me the name and URL of your blog if you have one too. Will make my pick out of the bag on Monday, so by next Tuesday you'll all know who won.... Have a lovely Tuesday.

Winter Coats

I really don't like winter. But it has to be if the seasons are to turn round and bring summer along again. Meantime, I try to endure the cold, the humidity. I try to grin and bear the heavy accumulation of clothes on my back and try to jumpstart circulation in my poor constantly frozen hands and feet. As a consequence I really rater 'hate' winter clothes and my winter wardrobe is not quite so well stocked as my summer one. I can't help it - I just don't like shopping for winter clothes! To cheer myself and yourselves up I digged out some gorgeous coats which I partcularly fancied with some star inclusions thrown in for good measure. I'm not saying which I like best....

Emerald Green Coat

Vintage Lady in Fur Coat

1948

& I couldn't resist this one.....

Cute Girl

Gloria Swanson

And then just look at the detail on these...

Vintage Dressing Gown Cord Detailing

Merino Coat

Diane von Furstenberg Coat

Plaid Cloak/Cape

Haiti in Tears

I was prompted to post a few words and images about Haiti after visiting the blog of Paris Atelier today. Haiti is in tears and the world is looking on, trying to help, where possible, if possible.
I found these beautiful images of this stricken country.

Port Salut Beach, Haiti

Boat In Labadee, Haiti

Haiti Hibiscus

And now this....

Haiti Earthquake

Let us all think of these poor people as we lie in our cosy beds and eat our food and shower today and in the days to come. There are ways to help if we seek them out. Just today I made an ebay purchase and the seller had installed a prompt that invited me to donate some money towards the cause of helping the people of Haiti. It's a tiny help, but it's being augmented by prayers. If any of you know of practical  ways in which we can help the Haiti people, share them with us please.

White London

Just back from a whirlwind visit to London. It's all about Sales, Sales, Sales..... but also about some magic.....Wednesday 13th saw London waking up to snow. Wheeee!  Kensington Gardens looked like this.....

Pity I didn't have someone around with whom to make a snowman!

Back home, I arrived to see the transformation of my other Christmas cactus which now looks like this....

Diana V

Happy New Year to all! 2010 should be a splendid year.... at least we all would like to hope so. My 2009 was a long, hard and difficult year but I accomplished something I had been working for, for 3 years and my family also had a momentuous moment of amazing fate which I hope will give us and our most precious much joy for many years to come.
Christmas was spent with the family, sorely missing mother, but giving it our all - good food, good company and happy moments to cherish.
Now, over the holidays, I have been reading an autobiography. Something I hadn't had time to do for too long. I kickstarted my biographical reading with 'D.V.' by Diana Vreeland.

Diana Vreeland 1903-1989

Reading this woman's words, which leap from one topic to the next, like she was having tea with you in the same room, brought a great deal of forgotten facts to light. You know, it's the kind of thing older people do... they start off talking about one thing and jump to the next, drawing on memories which after a long life, one starts to connect to others like a string of pearls. It reminded of the way I have often marvelled at the train of thoughts of all the elderly interviewees I have met over all my years in journalism. It's a pity we don't always give due importance to older people and the experience they can share with us.

I picked up her book because I was interested in her experience as a world-famous editor of Harper's Bazaar and Vogue and her connection to the Conde Nast group. Actually the most one reads in her book is about her social life, her travels, her clothes, her joie de vivre and her memories - Coco Chanel, Wallis Simpson, Conde Nast, Josephine Baker....

Here are some of her most extravagant quotes...

"Have I told you that I think water is God's tranquilizer?"

"I've been with wonderful young people always - whatever their age."

"I've always been so flattered that anyone, whatever his status, feels he can ask me to a party."

"There's no such thing as a slack French face."

Incidentally this morning I came across a posting about another great woman who was also involved in publishing. Check out Advanced Style and the posting about Fleur Cowles.....

And once again... Have a Happy New Year!