Harper’s, June 1896 Cover by Edward Penfield
Books in Art: Harper’s, June 1896
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Tag Archives: Style
Daily Diversion #318: Vogue Coloring Book
This coloring book from American Vogue is so lovely. I cannot wait to give it a whirl!
Vogue Colors A to Z
Tea in Art: The Red Portfolio by Harry Wilson Watrous
The Red Portfolio by Harry Wilson Watrous, circa 1900.
[Alternative Muses] Writerly Style: The Sharp Dressing Nancy Cunard
Nancy Cunard-poet, publisher, and activist-was famously fashion-forward. In this photo, she looks like she could step out of the current issue of any high fashion magazine.
Nancy Cunard, looking quite editorial.
That sleek belted-jacket is everything, with the statement necklace and her signature piled-on bracelets both coming in a close second.
Perfection.
Off Topic Post: The Story of Maelcum Soul
Nice short documentary about Maelcum Soul, who was associated with John Waters and Divine.
[Alternative Muses] Artistic Style: Georgia O’Keeffe
Georgia O’Keeffe is so intrinsically and eternally elegant that mere fashion doesn’t matter; it’s a blip on an inconsequential radar. Unlike aesthetic conformity, personal style effortlessly squashes large spans of time into nothingness.
Don’t believe me?
This image of the legendary artist is 97 years old.
Georgia O’Keeffe by Alfred Stieglitz, 1918.
There’s so much to love about this look, this vibe, this scene.
Where to start?
- Her focused and intelligent gaze?
- The uplift of her eyebrow?
- The sublime beauty that attends every artist as they are working on their craft, which is powerfully evident here?
- That luxuriously thick and practical sweater, with its large buttons, worn over a thin throw-it-on-and-forget-about-it dress?
- Those boots? Those boots.
Fierce. Every last bit. Fierce.
[Alternative Muses] Writerly Style: This Photo of Solita Solano Has Everything…
…hair, makeup, clothes, attitude, and personality.
Portrait of Solita Solano by Berenice Abbott, circa 1920
The Miriam Hopkins Blogathon Was Quite the Success/Introducing Font and Frock
The Miriam Hopkins Blogathon, which I co-hosted with Ruth of Silver Screenings, was a roaring success! If you’d like to learn more about this fabulous actress or her films, please follow the links to the daily post round-ups.
As many of you know, the blogathon coincided with the official launch of my new blog, Font and Frock. Our review of Miriam’s film Design for Living is a great introduction to the blog’s eccentric concept. Each film we review will be done in the same, four-part manner. One classic film=four segments, covering film, fashion, flash fiction, and feminism. Check out the links below to see it in action.
Design for Living: Part One-There’s Just Something About Miriam
Design for Living: Part Two-Gilda’s Tips for Dressing Like a Successful Commercial Artist
Design for Living: Part Three-“To Let: One Cheap, Roomy, Salubrious Flat”
Design for Living: Part Four-Not Your Average Rom Com Heroine
Thank you!
[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!
[Alternative Muses] Writerly Style: Dressing for the Four Seasons with Sylvia Plath
Reposting in honor of Sylvia’s birthday!
“Style is knowing who you are, what you want to say, and not giving a damn.”-Orson Welles
Sylvia Plath is best remembered for the sharp-edged precision of her poetry: word-vessels that are hard, clear, and passionate examples of literature’s trickiest form. Her style, although of minor importance to both literary historians and laypersons, remains fresh and appealing fifty years after her death. The timeless quality of Sylvia’s wardrobe is easy to emulate, and personalize.
Four Seasons, Five Photographs, Forever Stylish:
Sylvia Plath: Spring
A crisp white tee, corset belt, and floaty high-waisted skirt is the perfect outfit for the windy days of spring. She finishes it off simply with lipstick and a hairpin. Typewriter: optional. [This is my favourite photograph of a writer caught in the act of writing. I’ve always envied the imagined comforts of working in a garden setting. Sun-on-skin; light, earth-tainted breeze; a lounge chair to sink…
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