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[Alternative Muses] Writerly Style: Dressing Like a Work of Art with Djuna Barnes
“One should either be a work of art, or wear a work of art.”-Oscar Wilde
Our dear Djuna, who wasn’t always so dear, encompassed both of Wilde’s dictates.
Why wouldn’t she?
Djuna Barnes was not afraid to overstep the accepted boundaries of writing, art, behaviour, or fashion. She knew that, sometimes, too much wasn’t nearly enough.
Our favourite tetchy lady knew what she was doing. Here’s why.
Lessons in How to Dress, Djuna Barnes-style:
Tip #1-It’s okay to wear too many layers and accessories, as long as it is artfully done:
Djuna, daring you to find her anything short of magnificent.
A lesser woman would be weighed down by all those layers and accessories, but not our Djuna. She looks resplendent. The open collar, delicate jewelry, and commandingly vibrant lipstick pull everything together.
Tip #2-The key to wearing a bold print is to conquer it by the pure force of your personality:
Djuna Barnes taking charge of some giant dots, circa 1921.
Clothes smell fear. If you’re scared to wear something, you probably shouldn’t. Otherwise, don it with the conviction that no one else on earth could ever pull it off like you can.
Surrounding a huge pattern with solids never hurts, either.
Tip #3-Shoes and Hats! Shoes and Hats!
Solita Solano and Djuna Barnes were exceptionally chic in Paris, 1922.
Shoes and hats are all you need to be stylish and memorable. It doesn’t matter if you are wearing a ball gown or a T-shirt dress, as long as you are shod and topped with wit or taste, or even creative vulgarity. Swap those gorgeous 1920s frocks for modern minis and logo shirts, and Solita and Djuna would still look phenomenal.
Think about that.
Now go out there and face the world with confidence and a bit of writerly style!
Announcing the Miriam Hopkins Blogathon
I’m thrilled and honored to be co-hosting The Miriam Hopkins Blogathon with Ruth of Silver Screenings. Watch this space for updates!
We are so excited, we can hardly contain ourselves – and for Two Big Reasons!
Firstly, you’re invited to help us celebrate one of the most remarkable actresses in Classic Hollywood: the fabulous Miriam Hopkins. The blogathon will run January 22-25, 2015, and we’d love to have you join us.
Secondly, we’re excited to be co-hosting this event with our über-chic friend Maedez of A Small Press Life. But that ain’t the half of it! This blogathon with correspond with the launch of her new movie blog, Font and Frock, in January, 2015.
Who says January is a dreary month?
Ms Hopkins’ Requests:
- You can write on any movie or subject associated with our Miriam, including her life, on/off-screen rivalries, or movies.
- Duplicate topics are A-OK.
- You can sign up in the comments below, or email yours truly at 925screenings [at] gmail [dot] com or Maedez at onetrackmuse [at] gmail [dot] com.
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Daily Diversion #239: Snowy Tree
[Insert your favourite literary quote about snow here]
Snowy Tree
It’s way too early for me to be inspired by cold weather or its accoutrements.
[Daily Prompt] Good Tidings: Positively Dickensian
Today’s Daily Prompt-Good Tidings:
Present-day you meets 10-years-ago you for coffee. Share with your younger self the most challenging thing, the most rewarding thing, and the most fun thing they have to look forward to.
This is my contribution!
Positively Dickensian
Two women sit across from each other at a table in a coffee shop. They take their tea the same way: Earl Grey, strong, two sugars. Turbinado, please, stirred clock-wise.
Their conversation goes like this:
2004 Mae: Hey, why are we blonde? We haven’t been blonde since we were seven, and we both know that was way more than ten years ago–yours or mine.
2014 Mae: We’ve met before, right? We’ve been radically altering our hair every few months since we were twelve. Some things don’t change. Wait until you get to 2012. That was a great hair year for us, even if we got sick of the Miley comparisons.
2004: Who is Miley?
2014: Never mind. We’ll know soon enough, and we’ll wish we didn’t.
2004: Oh, okay. Anyhoo, this is kind of weird. Why are we here, again? Do you have big news for me? Because I’m not sure that I want to know. Even if it doesn’t suck.
2014: Good, because I didn’t plan on giving you specifics, anyway.
2004: Well, what if I changed my mind? What if I want to know now?
2014: Too fucking bad. It doesn’t work that way.
2004: Did you bend time and space just to have tea with me? Honestly, that is kind of creepy. Is this some next-level Miss Havisham shit? Future me is so bereft that she finds a way to come back to a point when life was better? Oh, my god. Do I really turn into Miss Havisham? Seriously, is my future that pitiful?
2014: I’m not wearing a tattered wedding dress, am I? So, no. I forgot how kooky we can be.
2004: Wait. Wait! Do I-do we-become…normal? I’d rather be Miss Havisham.
2014: Haha, no! We’re amusing, too!
2004: Hey, don’t take credit for that line! I said it, so I am the amusing one. Continue reading
Weekly Photo Challenge: Achievement
A June day.
Stifling, high heat. Where: a few miles off a highway in Kentucky. Me: a fair-skinned person who left her hat in the car. Unsuitable adornments: a long skirt, heavier than the weather warranted, a v-neck tee, and sandals with wedge heels. Italian leather, well-cushioned. Made for sustained walking excursions, albeit safe, flat city ones.
I went rogue.
Half a mile up the side of a steep hill, through a woodsy trail. Climbing, up up up, like a pack mule. Sweat-drenched. Determined. For what? A panicky attack of vertigo, and a stunning view of a river I’d only read about earlier that day.
This view, this river:
Kentucky/river: worth it. A photograph I snapped using a single hand, buckling knees, and averted eyes. June 2014.
A flushed face, drenched shirt, and fear-of-heights induced inability to stand up straight? A small price to pay, all for one decent photo and a story that later made my grandma laugh (thanks, mom!).
This is my entry in the Weekly Photo Challenge: Achievement.
Writers in Art: Tolstoy Ploughing by Ilya Repin
Tolstoy Ploughing by Ilya Repin, 1887
Shopping for the Bookworm: The Dead Writers Round-Up, Volume One
This shopping guide is a companion to the 10th-14th November The Dead Writers Round-Up. Enjoy!
Schiller Wax Seal Necklace by Renate and Jonathan. $127.00
Arthur Rimbaud Quote Tote by The Book Fiend. $21.95
Quote
Robert Louis Stevenson Quote
Oh, Autumn!
Oh, autumn! You are my favourite season. No, really. I adore everything about you: your beautiful leaves, smoke-scented wind, vibrant sunsets, pumpkin patches, delectable food (warm cider, caramel apples, pie). You are really quite remarkable.
Autumn by Abraham Manievich, 1914
Autumn by Béla Farkas, 1913
Autumn Leaves by John Everett Millais, 1856
You have the best pastimes: hayrides, haunted houses, apple picking.
No wonder your charms drive poets into the arms of hyperbole:
you are the season of purest inspiration.
Autumn by Alfons Mucha, 1886
Your sights, sounds, smells–all are bundled away until needed. I unpack them in the heart of winter, when I do my best writing. They make life, and work, less barren. Hopeful, warm.
Autumn by Jens Lund, 1909
Thank you.
A Small Press Life: Books. Art. Writing. Life. Tea. 