Daydreaming

In the centre of Glasgow is a building emblazoned with the words 'Jacobean Corsetry' in huge gold letters. Although it doesn't refer to a shop that exists in this day and age it has always, for me, conjured an image of an old-fashioned store with rows of drawers, glass-fronted cabinets and smartly-dressed, elegant staff sourcing wonderful treasures from their hidden wares. 

While the sign fed my young imagination it transpires that the reality was a wholesale corsetry company that only closed its doors as recently as 2000. There is a brief interview with the owner in The Herald to mark the closure of the business.

I'm reminded of all of this because tonight BBC1 showed the third episode of their latest period drama 'The Paradise'.

The Paradise – BBC1

The costumes are wonderful but the shop interiors rekindled memories of what I imagined to be behind the sign on Virginia Street. While The Paradise is fantastically beautiful, it seems that some elements are accessible for us mere mortals! At Corset Laced Mannequins, they don't just have gorgeous mannequins perfect for corsetry display, they actually supplied the ones on show at The Paradise. 

Beautiful Corset Laced Mannequins

Colour predictions

For women . . .

. . . and men

Today's blog on Etsy was all about Pantone's colour predictions for Spring fashions 2013. I'm bemused by the idea that what I make/buy to wear will be influenced by a group of total strangers but I also know that next spring I am likely to be bombarded by these shades and unable to buy much else.

On another note, I love that Pantone's Pantoneview Colour Planner Autumn/Winter 13/14 is called 'Happiness'. To quote them:

In Western society, happiness is often defined by feelings of delight and joyousness, and consumption is marketed as a quick route to instant gratification, whereas in the East, happiness is believed to exist within oneself and is considered to be a deeper state borne from the ideas of wholeness and togetherness. 

From a colour perspective, happiness is usually associated with bright colours; however, for Autumn/Winter 13/14, though these bold colour statements are still very present, they are balanced by a more peacful range of shades which reflect a more contemplative attitude and these emerging feelings of thoughtful meditiation.

colour + materials + texture + superimposition = HAPPINESS

I think the sentiment is pretty sound and I'm all for happiness – not so sure about the superimposition though.

Oh yes, and the cover's quirky too . . .

Inspiration galore

The Alexander McQueen Spring 2013 collection is full of inspirational and aspirational designs.

The corsetry shows innovation, historical references and incredible beauty. I especially love the silhouettes, layering and flossing. Fabulous.

Have a peek for yourself on style.com (the flossing starts here).