Saturday, October 8, 2011

LA BELLE ÉPOQUE?

Everyone else interpreted it as an opportunity for elegance in formal attire.  I, on the other hand, read Times Square Local -- as in: actress who has taken a wrong turn from her dressing room.  You see, when I read my cousin's wedding invitation, I knew it would be theatrical.  So I wanted to play a part.

My "look" at my cousin's wedding, re-created here
with feathered fascinator, and a mass of curls

Here's a smattering of comments I heard when I walked into the Hudson Theater, resembling a drowned New York pigeon after walking one block in a downpour:

"Look, it's Mary Poppins!" (I had my furry bolero on and a dripping umbrella)
"Is that real raccoon?" (in reference to my raccoon bolero, also used here)
"It's 'Midnight in Paris'! " (in reference to La Belle Époque scenes, I presume?)
"She's a New Yorker." (this was my favorite!)
"A boa on your head?!" from a stranger sharing my table
"I don't know who you are but can I take a picture?" says polite stranger, eyeing my hat
"Can you smile for me? * snap * I just like your hat" says another stranger, not as polite
* snap * (stranger takes my photo wordlessly and walks away)

Some things, like the Folies Bergère, are better experienced in dark, smoke filled rooms. Same with my Look.  But I've taken my ridiculous outfit outdoors so you can see it better -- down to every wrinkle.  Party and packing creases have been left in for interest.


Gaudy in the sun -- like daytime Folies Bergère!

This outfit was cobbled together with no specific era in mind.  The only items truly "period" were my necklace and earrings.  They are heirlooms from a dear friend's grandmother's dowry -- from an old Spanish family that had settled in California when it was still a province of Mexico.  My friend, however, is now living a bohemian dancer's life in Hawaii while hoping for a Celtic Druid to whisk her away to a magical life in the Western Isles.  (No joke.) She decided Doña Margarita would be happier if I took her jewels to another, hopefully more glamorous, life.  Uncomfortably, I promised I would safeguard them for a short while since she should be the true keeper of her family's treasures.  Meanwhile, I hope Doña Margarita and her jewels enjoyed the party in New York City!

I leave you with a real image from La Belle Époque.

from a book by Jean-Marie Creugnet

Is there a specific era in mind you would have liked to live in?


34 comments:

  1. Always gorgeous, inspiring and so interesting to read.
    You look fabulous, and Doña Margarita would agree.
    Besos.
    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

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  2. Fabulous outfit, LOVE it. I love the Belle Epoque, yep, I would want to live in it without the following war. Have you seen "Cheri" with Michelle Pfeiffer? Fantastic movie, where Michelle wears incredible clothes and lives in an incredible house too. I would switch places with her in an instant.

    "Party and packing creases have been left in for interest." *grin* love that humor of yours (and that mirror too.)

    I have heard of this speach of Steve but I haven't seen it, yet. But I certainly will. Thank you for your lovely comment.

    Enjoy your weekend,
    San

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  3. I've seen the speech and it's truly amazing.

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  4. there is a exposition about the belle epoque here in Barcelona on Caixa forum...I will go tomorrow..I love belle epoque and all the impressionism!


    Rachel, xoxo :)

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  5. Hi honey, love the blog.
    Very good!
    What do you think of following each other?
    kisses.

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  6. So original looks ;) I like your blog. If you want we can follow each other! :)

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  7. You are so individual. I appreciate that.
    17th Century for me;-)

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  8. Haha! The comments! Well you know what they say - better that people are talking about you than not at all - great outfit!
    As for eras anything pre Edwardian to medieval and I wouldn't mind a look in at the 20s and 30s either.

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  9. I'd love to live in the 1920's! I would've befriended Fitzgerald and probably insisted he get marital therapy, AFTER Gatsby was written, of course. Thank you for your lovely comment on my last post, it was such a pleasure to read.

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  10. i can see how this may remind one of La Belle Époque...and from the comments it seems you were a hit..and from the photos i am absolutely sure you were!

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  11. haha Mary Poppins! All that matter is that you know and that we know that you looked fabulous from head to toe!

    Love! ~Angel

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  12. Lovely! Of course. But i'm thinking about this question about what era would I like to be in....maybe the Roaring 20's/Jazz age...I'd def like to rub elbows with Hemingway and Fitzgerald ala Midnight in Paris.

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  13. I love the way this outfit looks- lately I've been enjoying designer versions of mix and match- like the Spring 2010 Louis Vuitton that wonderfully mixes the decades to create something fresh and post modern. Your outfit reminds me very much of the same- old mixed in new ways to live in a new set of memories.

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  14. No way doll, you look marvelous!! I love your outfit, that style of dressing is one of my favourites!! As long as you felt great(despite the rain) thats all that matters!! Wish you a great Monday!! Thanks for visiting me..great blog!! xx

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  15. I'd love to live in the 80s! Not really an era though, haha! Actually, I'm not sure I really like other eras because they seem so harsh and discriminatory to women (not that people aren't, up to now, but it's considerably less)

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  16. I LOVELOVELOVE your outfit. it is at once extremely original and utterly elegant. your stately velvet gloves, the tiny glitters of your top, your delicate diamond jewels, your long and sober in its shape (but joyful in its colour) skirt.. your eccentric feathered hat... everything inspires me much! besides I don't think I would like to live in another era than ours .. :)

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  17. Very cool & interesting!

    Xx

    http://chelseasgirl.wordpress.com/

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  18. very cool pictures honey :D

    xx

    www.sickbytrend.com

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  19. Fantastic inspiration! I am digging your headpiece and the gloves are a sensational touch. It's a cross between cortisan and couture. Love this look.


    Diego
    www.howtozipyourfly.com

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  20. Great look. People can be weird when they are taking pictures - just to take without asking or being rude. What is that all about? This is a great look for the wedding. Totally apt I would say. Xxxx

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  21. A drowned pidgeon?? You look great dear!! Did I tell you that I adore your sense of humor???

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  22. Love this post! Love the way you look like a character from a movie! You look so lovely and elegant! xx

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  23. Oelala.... I think the Belle Epoque would surely be it!

    Have a gorgeous weekend.
    Thanks so much for passing by my blog, hope to see you soon there again.

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  24. you're such a rockstar! fabulous blog

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  25. Wow great pictures!

    http://www.martasfashiondiary.com/

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Dear Fellow Aesthetes, I love hearing your thoughts. I think the other readers find them valuable too! Much love xxx

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