I thought I’d share some images from my Tumblr, which I realised today I’ve now had for four years. It’s progressively turned into a portrait based image archive of women from the late 1800′s – early 1930′s (although you can dive into my archives for when I used to post lots of different vintage, images I just liked, fashion and lots of music).
I was noticing the particular type of women I post and thinking about what draws me to that aesthetic. It’s mostly the vampy, smokey eyed, raven haired silent screen era actresses. Obvious common favourites being Theda Bara, Alla Nazimova, Pola Negri etc. There’s just something I find intriguing about that European mystique, maybe it’s the Scorpio in me. I guess that’s part of what draws me so much to the flapper era, the style obviously but also the idea of a sassy gal just wanting to have a good time and answer to no one but herself. A real independent lay-deeee, am I right?
Anyway if vamps are your thing, do yourself a favour and follow the Drama of Exile Tumblr. Whilst I may have become slack here, I do still post every couple of days on there, as well as a regular influx of beauty and inappropriate behaviour on my Instagram.
Much love,
xx
*all original sources of images can be found via the click through link of the image on my Tumblr page
I haven’t purchased an Australian Vogue in years but could not resist picking up the latest issue when I saw the words ‘The Great Gatsby Collector’s Edition’ emblazoned across the cover. I still am torn about the upcoming remake. I don’t know yet how I feel about this modern take on the 1920′s classic, as I’m a stickler for authenticity and hearing Florence and The Machine in the trailer made me feel a bit queezy to say the least.
However, the latest Vogue has carried on the 1920′s vibe throughout the issue, with an interview with Miuccia Prada about her collaboration with Baz Luhrman and Catherine Martin on the costumes for the film, Karlie Kloss on the cover as Vogue’s ‘Thoroughly Modern Millie’, Hugh Stewart’s backstage and onset portraits of the cast of The Great Gatsby and Luhrman’s recollections of the production as well as some roaring twenties themed beauty segments and articles on how the jazz age is infiltrating modern fashion.
With the film coming out only next month and the hype that has been surrounding it for the past year now, I’ll be interested to see how long this ‘trend’ lasts. To quote F.Scott himself, I guess ‘reserving judgements is a matter of infinite hope’.
“It is told that at the age of four, when I was taken by the nurse to look at my newly arrived brother Hugo, I seriously remarked, ‘I’d like a little kitten better.’ I am fond of dogs, but cats have always meant more to me, and they have been the wise and sympathetic companions of many a solitary hour.”
–Arnold Genthe, As I Remember (1936)
Meet Buzzer, Arnold Genthe’s studio cat. Genthe was a German photographer who migrated to the US in the 1890′s. He became famous for his Chinatown series and his photographs of the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, but worked mostly in portraiture. His subjects included Anna Pavlova, Sarah Bernhardt, Jack London, Theodore Roosevelt, Ruth St. Denis and his images of Greta Garbo were said to have boosted her career.
It is without a doubt though that his most endearing subject of all was Buzzer. Cat ladies of the world, I know you’re feelin’ this.
…these are a few of my favourite things. I’ve been feeling really homely and introverted lately, something that isn’t all that common for me (the homely part yes, the introverted part no). So I thought I’d share some of the things that are occupying my headspace a lot at the moment.
1. Gardening. Seedlings, flowers, succulents, inside, outside, herbs and veggies…I’ve got a hardcore case of the green thumb at the moment. I’ve currently got some basil, chives and coriander seedlings growing in their first stages, a wonderful new chilli plant, a rose bush on the balcony and I can’t get enough greenery inside. I’ve also invested in some beetroot, radish and spinach seeds which are all meant to be in their prime to be planted now, so hopefully I will be eating lush once it really begins to get colder here.
2. This song. Gutted I missed them at ATP but luckily White Hex are supporting them early next month at The Gas so I can get my fix.
3. 1940′s hats. I always gravitate towards the cloches and wider brimmed styles of the 20′s but lately I can’t get enough of the 40′s! Tilt hats have always been a favourite, and I was found this little burnt orange beauty for the shop but I’m about 90% sure she’s staying on my hat rack.
4. Baking. I’m serious about baking you guys, like, really serious. I definitely got it from my mother (who makes cakes professionally) and whilst I don’t bake as often as I should, when I get the urge I bake a LOT. A friend of mine who used to live with me said she felt bad when I was obviously a little down, but secretly loved it because she reaped the rewards of all my baking. My greatest accomplishment this week was an upside-down rhubarb and hazelnut cake for my housemate’s birthday, which didn’t look too appealing but tasted like a dream. This afternoon I made some easy-peasey veggie muffins and tonight there’s a pie on the agenda, followed by a crumble.
5. Girls (the show, but also the gender). Ever since I saw Lena Dunham’s ‘Tiny Furniture’ a couple of years back, I was obsessed and needed to see/read anything she’d ever done. Girls has been one of the only shows I’ve come across in my life that I can (I know it’s a gross term) relate to, accurately represents women my age and demographic and is fucking hilarious. I’m so excited for the season 2 finale next week! Adam and Hannah have to get back together!
6. Winter Wardrobe Wishes. Melbourne had a heatwave over the last two weeks or so where basically it didn’t drop below 30 degrees, and so I did absolutely nothing except drink cold beer every day and have a Game of Thrones marathon with Jesse. I know during that time it may be strange to even be thinking about winter coats and knits but it was like a silver lining in the distance to me, the thought of a cocoon coat was the only thing that kept me going, It’s cooled down a little now and I know that by April it will be cold again, and I’ve been trawling Ebay and Etsy endlessly for that perfect coat. I started a board on my pinterest, but of course I’ve been lazy and always forget to pin things as I find them.
This dress from Adored Vintage is top of my winter wish list
7. Following on from my winter wardrobe wish list, it was basically realised in the Louis Vuitton FW 2013/14 show. Check it if you haven’t already, I’m obsessing!
8. Saving like a slave. Jesse and I are buying our tickets overseas next month, we’ll be leaving in September for 2/3 months and so far have England, France and Berlin in our plans. In the mean time i’m cutting back on everything (cleanskin wine from the IGA is my new best friend as $4.50 a pop) and am getting super excited. If anyone has any tips/recommendations get in touch!
9. Czech director Věra Chytilová’s film, ‘Fruit of Paradise’. For a long while, her film ‘Sedmikrásky’ has been a favourite of mine, and I only got around to watching Fruit of Paradise this week, although I had recognized it’s imagery for years. It really is fabulous, and visually beautiful.
10. Planning trips. I’ve been working like a dog, and mostly never having a weekend day off/two days off consecutively. But I do have some time coming up and have some lovely trips planned. Jesse & I are going up to Hanging Rock soon (Edwardian picnic themed attire a must), I’ll be visiting Labassa Mansion (something that’s been on my list for ages) and Evie, Charlotte and I are going away for the Easter long weekend for a gal’s weekend at a Lake. Our theme is ‘acid-fashion-parade-meets-whimsical-forest-nymph’ and with a theme like that you know it’s gonna be good.
Irene Regan with a Valentine card imprinted with a lipstick kiss
Clara Bow and Rex Bell
Romy Schneider and Alain Delon
Marlene Dietrich and Jean Gabin
Anna Karina and Jean Luc Goddard
In lieu of Valentine’s Day this coming Thursday I thought I’d share some of my favourite couples throughout history in an ode to all things lovey. These images are from my Pinterest, which I have only just recently had the epiphany as to how amazing a tool it is (late to the game as always). I am ever so slowly beginning to use it, and you can find more darling couples and Valentine’s images in my ‘Lovers’ and ‘Be My Valentine’ boards. Please follow me, I need to find some friends whose visual pinterest worlds I can delve into , and don’t really know how to? Once again, absolutely rubbish with the internet.
I hope everyone has a love, be it your man/woman/gal pal/boy toy/kitty to cuddle up to this week.
I need to share with you guys the song that’s been slaying me of late. Jesse’s band, ASPS, do a cover of the Aretha Franklin song ‘Land of My Dreams’ and it’s been on constant repeat in my head for months.
Here is the original
And babe Anna Domino’s cover…
And finally even bigger babe Andrea (ASPS) doing a solo version in Sydney last year…
ASPS played last night at The Gasometer and I wanted to record the song but alas, my phone was totally full and I forgot my camera (of course). So this video isn’t the best quality, aplologies. But every version is amaze and I can’t stop listening to them all!
Ok so you guys, I’ve been trying to think of the name of the Louise Brooks documentary/interview I saw last year whilst home alone with a bottle of vodka and I finally found it. Everyone should watch it, she’s like 70 years old and I absolutely looovvee the way she talks and the fact that she has this long, long hair. It’s really beautiful though, do yourself a favour and watch all 4 parts.
I’ve tried to avoid doing the standard Brooksie post, but every now and then ya gotta binge on a favourite, y’know?
And of course now I have to share some of my favourite Louise photos…
Louise Brooks in Pandora’s Box directed by George Wilhem Pabst, 1929
Louise Brooks and Adolphe Menjou in A Social Celebrity directed by Malcolm St. Clair, 1926
James Abbe, Portrait of Louise Brooks, wearing Jean Patou dress for Prix de Beauté directed by Augusto Genina, 1930
Fritz Kortner and Louise Brooks in Pandora’s Box
Victor McLaglen and Louise Brooks in A Girl in Every Port directed by Howard Hawks, 1928
Louise Brooks in Diary of a Lost Girl directed by George Wilhem Pabst, 1929
Portrait of Louise Brooks for American Venus directed by Frank Tuttle, 1926
Louise Brooks in The Show Off directed by Malcolm St. Clair, 1926
Louise Brooks in Pandora’s Box directed by George Wilhem Pabst, 1929
Alfred Cheney Johnston, Portrait of Louise Brooks for the Ziegfeld Follies publicity, 1920′s
I just had to share these images from the Spring 2013 Couture show of Ulyana Sergeenko. I fell head over heels at first sight of her debut Fall collection last year. It was my winter dreams realised in the most beautiful, elegant way and I adore her play between her Russian roots and nods to earlier eras.
Ulyana described her recent show as “Gone With the Wind, the Headless Horseman, Huck Finn—it’s our American collection”, and you can see the strong influence of Scarlet O’Hara combined with American and Soviet references to form a fantastically theatrical show. The yellow brick road runway and gigantic childrens book backdrop made the Dorothy in me swoon, as did the tasselled piano-like shawls with homespun needlepoint embroideries, billowing taffeta, pioneer style wide brims and velvet rompers. The best details of all though have to be the porcelain buttons used in the back of the gowns (hand-painted with characters out of Russian nursery rhymes!) and delicate crocheted embroideries that were inset like cameos into the sweet silk blouses.
I may be gushing but, good god, I just ricocheted of the swoon-o-meter!
My best and oldest friend Revee is staying with me this week and I couldn’t be happier! This girl has been the centre of my universe since we met on our first day of uni when we were 17. She is the most inspiring, beautiful and weirdest babe in the world and am so glad that despite our distance since I moved to Melbourne, we’re still soul sisters.
I thought I’d share some photos of us over the years. I also hope that these photos help some people understand that, in light of recent accusations, my style did not all of a sudden begin when my blog did. I’ve only had my blog since May of 2012, not even a year, and so obviously there is a lot more to me than what you’ve seen in the past 9 months. To those who know what I’m talking about, I think it’s absolutely ridiculous, very self-indulgent and extremely presumptuous. I don’t feel the need to justify myself any further, nor comment.
Jauary 2010, Melbourne
January 2010, Melbourne
Brisbane, 2009
When we were ~famous~ Brisbane, 2009
When we were babies, 2008
March 2010, Melbourne
a portrait Revee painted of me in 2011
Revee modelling my designs, from my portfolio in 2009
Revee modelling my designs, from my portfolio in 2009
Christmas 2011
Anyway, I’m off to paint the town red with my real muse in life.
There is nothing quite like the unconditional love of a warm pup. I’ve always been such a dog gal, my family always had them and as much as I still believe a cat lady is living inside me, there’s nothing like the silliness and sincerity of a pooch. Since the passing of my late Winston Churchill, who I rarely got to see in his last years given our distance, I have been craving the company of a little friend. Anyone who knows me is aware that you cannot walk down the street with me and not pass a dog without stopping for a pat and a chat. I spot a little wagging tail a mile off and my heart sings. I know in the future I have to get myself a new life partner in the form of a pup, but for now I will live vicariously through these images.
From the top:
1. 1929 dog show image
2. Marla Landrock and unknown image
3. Mary Pickford
4. Jean Arthur
5. Louise Brooks
6. Sally O’Neil
7. Ingebord von Kusserow and Grete Mosheim
8. a Mack Sennett bathing beauty
9. Ginger Rogers
10. Clara Bow
11. Marie Prevost
12. Natacha Rambova and Rudolph Valentino
All images thanks to mothgirlwings.tumblr.com, rubylane.com, tumblr and vickielester.com.
