Friday, 22 March 2013

Tale From The Harem

 
 



 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Can you not see... that fairy tales in their essence are quite solid and straightforward; but that this everlasting fiction about modern life is in its nature essentially incredible? Folk-lore means that the soul is sane, but that the universe is wild and full of marvels. Realism means that the world is dull and full of routine, but that the soul is sick and screaming. The problem of the fairy tale is - what will a healthy man do with a fantastic world? The problem of the modern novel is - what will a madman do with a dull world? In the fairy tales the cosmos goes mad; but the hero does not go mad. In the modern novels the hero is mad before the book begins, and suffers from the harsh steadiness and cruel sanity of the cosmos.  
 
by G.K. Chesterton, via 1






 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The Outfit:

Vintage Brocade Satin Opera Coat: made by granny Kiki for Kiki Couture in the 30s/40s

Black T-Shirt: very old from H&M

Black Sequin Waisted Harem Trousers: old from a sale at Asos

Red Sequin Peep Toe Heels: old, from a sale at New Look

Amber earrings: my mother's
 
Amber bracelet: gift from a friend


 
The Soundtrack


Marianne Faithfull: Boulevard Of Broken Dreams

 
 
All photographs taken by me, self portraits using the self timer on my little digital camera. 
 
 
Thank you so much for all your supportive comments on my last post, I feel lucky to have found such a caring and inspiring blog community. The fog is gradually lifting, although the weather outside is still freezing! 
 
I'm delighted to be a part of Visible Monday, hosted by the lovely Patti from www.notdeadyetstyle.blogspot.co.uk, click on the website link to see her outfit and those of many others.
 
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49 comments:

  1. Ofelia22 March 2013 at 15:20

    Emalina, the brocade opera coat is so regal and elegant on you. The amber accessories are also fantastic (well I love anything amber!!!)and the red peep toe hills give the entire outfit a kick of sexiness!!
    While you are listening to Marianne Faithfull I was watching parts of her Girl on a Motorcycle movie with the then beautiful Alain Delon.
    Have a great weekend,

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    1. Flora Cruft28 March 2013 at 14:56

      Thanks so much Ofelia, glad you liked! Ah yes what a fun movie, cult viewing and how beautiful are both Marianne and Alain!

      Delete
  2. Joanna22 March 2013 at 16:03

    Love, love, love the coat! You've paired it fabulously with those great shoes!

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    1. Flora Cruft28 March 2013 at 14:56

      So glad you love the coat Joanna, you're too kind thank you!

      Delete
  3. Ulla-Marie23 March 2013 at 01:40

    So nice with soundtracks to every post (and I envy your coat)

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    1. Flora Cruft28 March 2013 at 15:03

      Thanks very much Ulla-Marie, I do love my music as well as my clothes :)

      Delete
  4. Lucys Lounge23 March 2013 at 01:50

    i love your coat. your photos are great as always. thank you for the song. lucyx

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  5. mispapelicos23 March 2013 at 03:11

    I love your beautiful and wise words, and definitely WANT that vintage brocade Satin coat, ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.
    You smile is the best accessorie, my dear friend.
    Have a wonderful weekend.
    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

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    1. Flora Cruft28 March 2013 at 15:06

      Thank you so much my dear Sacramento! I'm so glad you love the brocade coat as I do, and I shall try to remember that about my smile, so sweet of you :)

      Delete
  6. Tamera Beardsley23 March 2013 at 07:58

    I always love stopping by for a visit my dear! Inspiring prose, beautiful fashions and you sharing your beauty and soul with the world.
    I am happy to hear your fog is beginning to lift.

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    Replies
    1. Flora Cruft28 March 2013 at 15:13

      Ah you are so kind, lovely, Tamera, thank you for your beautiful words!

      Delete
  7. Sue @ A Colourful Canvas23 March 2013 at 23:09

    You have a dancer's silhouette, and magical looking shoes today Emalina. Happy to hear that things are looking brighter for you, my friend.

    Sue xo

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    Replies
    1. Flora Cruft28 March 2013 at 15:14

      Thanks so much Sue! I do appreciate your support.

      Delete
  8. Melanie24 March 2013 at 00:59

    The cosmos goes mad for your SHOES! Clearly your universe is wild and full of marvels. I expect you to fly through the sky like a dream.

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    1. Flora Cruft28 March 2013 at 15:19

      I have tried clicking my heels but no flying yet! They're so high I feel like I'm flying as I walk though! Thanks very much Melanie, you're a great inspiration, let us continue living in the wild and the wonderful.

      Delete
  9. My Unfinished Life24 March 2013 at 09:13

    lovely coat..and your words got me thinking....................


    http://www.myunfinishedlife.com

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    1. Flora Cruft28 March 2013 at 15:22

      Thank you, and lovely to meet you! I've just checked out your blog which looks fabulous :)

      Delete
  10. Vix24 March 2013 at 12:24

    Your coat is utterly gorgeous, a timeless piece, Kiki was indeed a fantastic designer. It wouldn't look out of place in a contemporary magazine feature. I love how you've dressed t with harems and sparkly shoes, utterly inspired and truly unique.
    I'm delighted the fog is starting to lift, you get support as you're such a warm and lovely woman, you always leave such thoughtful and genuine comments. xxx

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    1. Flora Cruft28 March 2013 at 15:23

      Ah I so appreciate your support and appreciation dear Vix, thank you for your kind and lovely words. So glad you enjoyed the post!

      Delete
  11. Kathleen24 March 2013 at 14:44

    Beautiful. Click those heels three times...

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    1. Flora Cruft28 March 2013 at 15:24

      I keep trying! Maybe one day it will work :) Thanks Kathleen.

      Delete
  12. Hollie Black-Ramsey24 March 2013 at 15:07

    holy smokes that jacket it amazing!

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    1. Flora Cruft28 March 2013 at 15:27

      Aw thanks Hollie, and good to meet you! Looking at your lovely blog it looks like we share a love of renaissance gowns - keep an eye out because I'll be showing some ancient vintage gowns soon :)

      Delete
  13. Patti24 March 2013 at 17:12

    So glad to hear the fog is starting to lift, dear Emalina. Your opera coat is just stunning. Thanks so much for linking your lovely look to Visible Monday.

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    1. Flora Cruft28 March 2013 at 15:27

      Thanks so much lovely Patti, and for your supportive words my dear.

      Delete
  14. Helga24 March 2013 at 19:12

    OOOOOOOOOOO, that COAT!
    ISN'T this just the most wonderful little community! I truly feel blessed to have all these supportive people in my life, albeit at a distance! I long for sunshine for you lovelies, it's been gloomy for too long!X

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    1. Flora Cruft28 March 2013 at 15:29

      Yes such a LOVELY, fun and inspiring community, thank you for your kind words and for letting me be a part of it my dear! I've taken to hallucinating the sunshine, as I'll show in my next post!

      Delete
  15. Angie25 March 2013 at 00:30

    Such a great brocade coat,when i see it it makes my heart beat faster.And I love how you put it together with Assos and H&M. Brilliant!

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    1. Flora Cruft28 March 2013 at 15:31

      Thanks very much Kelly, great to meet you and I'm so glad you like the outfit!

      Delete
  16. Harlow Darling25 March 2013 at 03:19

    Stunning, that coat is so perfect on you and I love how you've styled it with pants! You have such a perfect figure for outfits like this, I am so short I would drown in a coat like this but you look effortlessly ethereal.

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  17. LollyWillowes25 March 2013 at 04:32

    Gorgeous coat, I love the words, 'opera coat' always calls up evocative and glamorous images, that and 'winter gardens' for the same reason. Or perhaps I am just peculiar...best not answer that! And fairy tales, I can't get enough of gorgeously illustrated old books for children.

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    1. Flora Cruft28 March 2013 at 15:33

      You're not peculiar, or no more than the rest of us that's for sure! Like you I love phrases like 'opera coat' that are so evocative of magical and special experiences. Thanks lovely LollyWillowes!

      Delete
  18. Veshoevius25 March 2013 at 14:45

    "Folk-lore means that the soul is sane, but that the universe is wild and full of marvels. Realism means that the world is dull and full of routine, but that the soul is sick and screaming."
    How true!
    I love your Dorothy shoes! And there are no words for how exquisite that floral brocade opera coat is - it is the stuff of fairytales - your Grandmother Kiki was a rare talent!

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    1. Flora Cruft28 March 2013 at 15:39

      She would be so delighted to read your words of appreciation! And I feel so proud of her talent, she had such an eye for beauty and all that skill to create it. Thanks for your lovely words my dear!

      Delete
  19. The Style Crone26 March 2013 at 18:11

    So happy to hear that your fog is lifting and that you're wearing one of the most beautiful opera coats that I have laid my eyes upon. Accessorized with red sequin peep toe pumps! My evening is complete!

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    1. Flora Cruft28 March 2013 at 15:40

      Ah you're too kind dear Judith, I'm so pleased you appreciate the opera coat as I do, and enjoyed those sparkly sequins, thank you!

      Delete
  20. Curtise26 March 2013 at 19:07

    What a beautiful coat, you look stunning in it, with those harem pants and Dorothy shoes!
    I'm pleased to hear you feel a little brighter. Blogging can be good for the soul, I think! xxx

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    1. Flora Cruft28 March 2013 at 15:43

      It certainly is good for the soul, in so many ways. Thanks so much lovely Curtise!

      Delete
  21. Anonymous27 March 2013 at 13:38

    Absolutely gorgeous brocade coat! I'm so glad you're feeling better. Xo

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  22. Jean at www.drossintogold.com27 March 2013 at 20:52

    Breathtaking!! I have a brocade coat from the 60's (I think) that reminded me of this one. I have upcycled it because it was too small but I can't wait to show it to you. I wore it this past week. I love your shoes and poses, too.

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    1. Flora Cruft28 March 2013 at 15:45

      Ooh I can't wait to see that upcycled brocade coat on you! So glad you liked the post, thank you lovely Jean!

      Delete
  23. Rosalind28 March 2013 at 14:42

    What an incredible quote from G K Chesterton - I'm going to re-read it several times and bookmark it as I've been writing about fairy tales recently. And from one incredible thing to another. WOW, what a simply stunning opera coat made by granny Kiki. Do you know if it ever got worn to the Opera?
    Glad to hear too that the fog is lifting slowly. If only the snow and East wind would do the same thing and politely take its curtain call and bog off!

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    1. Flora Cruft28 March 2013 at 15:53

      It's a favourite quote of mine too. Have you read The Uses Of Enchantment, the psychoanalyst Bruno Bettelheim's classic treatise on fairytales? I found it so interesting. And I can also recommend the very recent book Gossip From The Forest by Sara Maitland, fascinating if you're interested in reading and writing about the world of fairytales.

      Thanks for the kind words about Kiki's opera coat, so glad you enjoyed the post. Kiki and her husband John loved the opera and the ballet too, so doubtless her coat accompanied her to many a magical performance, which is such a lovely thought.

      Delete
  24. Unknown1 April 2013 at 16:23

    The whole outfit is cute but WOW that jacket is just unbelievable.

    Thanks for stopping by my blog!

    http://lazymazei.blogspot.com

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  25. Unknown3 April 2013 at 18:00

    Love this look! Im all about the long capes! LOVE!

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  26. jaipur handloom - manju lata11 July 2013 at 08:55

    LOVE all of these gorgeous Harem pants, so beautifully produced and perfect for every occasion. Such a beautiful blog you wrote.

    You can find some more on my etsy shop as well

    http://www.etsy.com/shop/JaipurHandloom

    https://www.etsy.com/listing/155690930/harem-pants-new-loose-genie-pants-gypsy?ref=shop_home_feat


    https://www.etsy.com/listing/155694237/harem-pants-new-loose-genie-pants-gypsy?ref=shop_home_active

    ReplyDelete

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