Cameo

We had a mini heat-wave at the start of October, giving me the chance to wear this dress one final time this year. Once again I found myself inspired by Bottega Veneta and their jewellery offerings...this time the lava cameo pieces presented for SS2011. The usual fusty connotations of cameos were turned on their head with varying shades of carved lava rock and blackened filigree. The classic Roman profiles carved from volcanic lava got me thinking of Ancient Rome, Vesuvius, draping...basically, that's how I got to this outfit. I dug out a few cameo pieces (annoyed I forgot about my cameo ring...oh well)....and added a tasselled belt I searched for months for and have hardly worn.  

Vintage dress, belt (eBay), shoes (Bruno Premi)

Faux-bob, angular liner and no lipstick (I barely recognise myself without painted lips!)

images from bottegaveneta.com and style.com

Silk Road

I bought this beautiful jacket at the start of summer and pretty much wore it non-stop. I'm not entirely sure on the age; it's an Oriental design typical of the 1920's, but it may be from the 40's or 50's. The poor thing was never lined and needs a bit of a tidy up, but other than that the silk is strong and the embroidery as good as new. I consider myself very lucky to have found and bought this before anyone else did!

Vintage jacket, vintage vest, trousers (H&M), vintage shoes

Gold Shell

This outfit began with the bag; a pale gold, shell shaped beauty. From there, I developed some sort of 'turn of the century, summer seaside look.' I love the brooch I'm wearing because it looks like its been at the bottom of the sea for a while... although its colours are pretty awkward to fit into my outfits so it really doesn't get worn much at all. Mint green and pearl accents finished the look off (pearls come from the sea too! I do like to carry a theme through).

Hat (Accessorize), bag (Zandra Rhodes), vintage shoes, vintage bag, skirt (Asos)

Wild, curly mermaid hair (i.e. I didn't have time to straighten it) and mint green eyes.

I created a little seaside themed treasury over at Etsy. I was feeling quite shell-y after I bought the bag! Creating treasuries is similar to using polyvore to create sets, except its a little more restrictive. I think I prefer it this way though.

Cut Steel

Back in June I talked about cut steel decoration in relation to an antique belt I bought featuring what I believe to be cut steel. The decorative technique was prolific in the Victorian era, featuring small, faceted studs of steel intended to mimic diamonds (similar, but not to be confused with marcasite). To say the Victorians loved a bit of cut steel is an understatement; they put it on bloody everything, not just jewellery. If you want to read more about Victorian cut steel, there is a good eBay guide here explaining the difference between true Victorian cut steel and 'fake' moulded cut steel. If reading isn't your thing, then enjoy looking at the pretty selection of cut steel I found.................

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Victorian cut steel choker £-sold

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Victorian cut steel shoe buckles $45 each

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Edwardian cut steel and pearl earrings $1325

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Pair of Victorian cut steel scarab brooches £350

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Victorian velvet purse with cut steel design on frame and body $795

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Georgian cut steel and peacock glass sash set $950

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Georgian cut steel Coque de Perle brooch $250

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Victorian cut steel necklace $785

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Late Georgian cut steel belt $275

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Victorian cut steel shoes buckles $50

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Art Nouveau enamel and cut steel buttons £-sold

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C.1900 cut steel earrings $850

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1890's cut steel lingerie buckles £-at auction

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Late Georgian cut steel bangle £-at auction

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Victorian cut steel belt and buckle $125

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Victorian cut steel button

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Victorian cut steel buttons

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Victorian cut steel buckle $42.95

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Antique cut steel shoes buckles $75

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Victorian cut steel brooch $225