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.
 

49 comments:

  1. 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,

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

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. So glad you love the coat Joanna, you're too kind thank you!

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

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

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

    ReplyDelete
  5. 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

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 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. 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.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ah you are so kind, lovely, Tamera, thank you for your beautiful words!

      Delete
  7. 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

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much Sue! I do appreciate your support.

      Delete
  8. 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.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 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. lovely coat..and your words got me thinking....................


    http://www.myunfinishedlife.com

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

      Delete
  10. 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

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 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. Beautiful. Click those heels three times...

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

      Delete
  12. holy smokes that jacket it amazing!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 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. 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.

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

      Delete
  14. 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

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 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. 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!

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

      Delete
  16. 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.

    ReplyDelete
  17. 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.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 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. "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!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 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. 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!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 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. 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

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

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

    ReplyDelete
  22. 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.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 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. 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!

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

    Thanks for stopping by my blog!

    http://lazymazei.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  25. Love this look! Im all about the long capes! LOVE!

    ReplyDelete
  26. 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

Please leave a message, I love to hear from you!

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...