Recently, I've been fascinated by the documentaries featuring the Vaganova school which I've found on YouTube. The Russian style of ballet, with its emphasis on the long line and extreme flexibility is increasingly appealing to my English-trained eye. Students at the Vaganova Academy; Photo: Tumblr The first documentary I saw... Continue reading

Devastated at the end of the BBC’s War and Peace, I was comforted by a cinema trip to see the latest ‘period drama’ Pride and Prejudice and Zombies (which starred some of the same cast members!). Regency era fashion has taken a backseat in recent years, with Downton Abbey popularising... Continue reading

Follow my blog with Bloglovin As it's Throwback Thursday, I thought I'd share these pics of my mum, taken in the 1970s! Wasn't she a hottie?! I particularly like the Kate Bush-inspired Victorian frills... Continue reading

Back in the golden era of the magazine, the 1990s, I loved nothing more than devouring a good teen fashion story. Never more so than during the summer holidays, when time stretched ahead of me so much that I was always eager to go back to school (it was painful... Continue reading

I love gingham. I think it all started with The Wizard of Oz, as my four-year-old self coveted Dorothy's costume, and not just the ruby slippers. I would religiously wear my hair in braids, and dresses in a shade of blue in all seasons. So, when I spotted the 'Pinafleur'... Continue reading

I have always loved the 1940s/50s outfits pictured in my mum's copy of the Ladybird book, The Inquisitive Harvest Mouse. The copy she has is falling apart, but the illustrations still look so fresh and bright. I'm sure I've always loved dotty dresses because of the red polka dot one... Continue reading

As it's Throwback Thursday, and I've just received the files, I thought I'd post some photos from the February Downland Dance show! The ballet was called The Faerie Child, and was created in the nineteenth century Romantic style, a la Giselle and La Sylphide. I'm pictured on the left in... Continue reading

Wedding dress spread; Photo: from laurenconrad.com Butterflies are here! I came across this photo on Pinterest this afternoon...what great idea for the wedding. It makes me think of Gone with the Wind, all the huge dresses, and the spiral staircase at Twelve Oaks! Continue reading

Voraciously pinning, I came across this great Kate Moss photo by Mario Testino, taken in January 2000. Love his work! From the Vogue article, '20 Ballet-Inspired Ways to Wear Tulle and Tutus Offstage'. Continue reading

A fairly recent tradition for me and my family (thanks Mum, for converting me!) is to watch the New Year's Day concert from Vienna. It's always a grand display of refinery, elegance, and taste! The screened ballet films are my favourite part, and this year's concert was no exception. However,... Continue reading

After a long hiatus this summer, I hope to be back to the blog more regularly. I did achieve something very important whilst I was away, however - I bought my wedding dress! Here's a pic of my favourite historical bridal attire, worn by Grace Kelly, to celebrate! Photo: Grace... Continue reading

In anticipation of the Royal Ballet's The Winter's Tale (screened live tonight in cinemas across the world!), I've been thinking about the big sceen adaptations of Shakespeare plays I have seen. Romeo and Juliet was the film of the moment when it was released in 1996. The angelic costume worn... Continue reading

Whilst watching the Royal Ballet's Sleeping Beauty (at glamorous Didcot Cineworld!), I spotted some amazing costumes in the final act pas de quatre. The ladies wore tutus with Elizabethan ruffs! They were really kitsch (yet fitting for the production!) and reminded me of Natalie Dormer in The Tudors... Photo: Henry... Continue reading

Back in January, I saw a very special performance of Giselle at the Royal Opera House. A ballet made of two contrasting acts (the first set in the earthly countryside, the second in a supernatural forest), the costumes emphasised the story's tragedy. With Lauren Cuthbertson in the title role, it... Continue reading

Just at lunch time today, I was talking to my colleague about Disney's Sleeping Beauty (1959). The film is her favourite Disney story, for a very girlie reason – a knight resuces a princess. Do you need more escapsim than that?! We got into a debate about Princess Aurora's dress,... Continue reading

Reading through autumn's fashion magazines makes me eager for crisp weather and my favourite month of the year, October. This fashion season is so appealing - after all the tired summer sale racks and weary brights the consumer is ready for a change - a new colour palette and more... Continue reading

Continuing the Tudor theme, I discovered an incredible source of inspiration at Boughton House, Northamptonshire. Notably, this portrait of Elizabeth Vernon at her toilet, which demonstrates the detail and importance given to dresses in the sixteenth century. Elizabeth Vernon, the lady in these portraits, was Maid of Honour to Queen... Continue reading

I've just finished one of the best novels I've ever read about Anne Boleyn, second wife of King Henry VIII and mother of Queen Elizabeth I. Brief Gaudy Hour by Margaret Campbell Barnes, first published in 1948, is a subtle and accurate re-telling of the life of the famous queen.... Continue reading

Inspired by the recent shooting stars, I've been thinking about the way they've been used in fashion. Famously, Empress Elisabeth of Austria (also known as 'Sisi') was painted with stars in her hair. The influence for other cinematic costumes, Sisi's portrait is testament to the Victorian monarch's beauty and is... Continue reading