Saturday, December 31, 2011

The Soul of the Rose

"The Soul of the Rose" by John William Waterhouse
Image from jwwaterhouse.com

In high school I was absolutely obsessed with Pre-Raphaelite art.  And while it is not all pretty ladies and knights in shining armor, I will admit, the beautiful ladies and their fabulous titian hair and long flowing gowns are what originally caught my attention.


So it is not surprising that when I was able to choose my own pattern and fabric, this is the dress that I came up with.  I can clearly remember that the beautiful rayon fabric was the most expensive yardage I had ever purchased, but once it caught my eye, I had to have it!  And I think Waterhouse would have approved!


Although the dress is no longer my favored style, it sure is fun to pull out early projects.  Back then, if it covered the ankles and wrists, it was okay with me.  The more old fashioned, the better. 


The only thing that can account for this bout of nostalgia is my recent birthday (and the reason this dress was pulled out of the closet).  Silly, right?  The more things change, the more they stay the same . . .

 

"April Love" by Arthur Hughes


Dress:  Made by me, McCalls 9107
Shoes:  Nine West “Burg” in Medium Pink

8 comments:

  1. Beautiful dress! There's another John William Waterhouse painting called, "I am Half Sick of Shadows," said the Lady of Shalott" that I just love, partly for its fiber related theme.

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  2. This is still a lovely dress, and good for you for keeping your clothes from high school (not to mention still fitting into them!). I think I must still be in that romantic phase myself, and Waterhouse is one of my all-time favorite artists.

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  3. This is a beautiful dress and looks fantastic on you!

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  4. Laura Mae,

    It's confirmed, you are a real life leading lady from a soap opera. The kind who never really ages or changes dress size, possesses an amazing wardrobe from various decades, looks flawless in every style, and appears oblivious to the richness of her life?

    And that's a life steeped in art and observation, serendipity and circumstances beyond your control. Yet you rise well above every situation with an unheralded ease; the same ease that the rest of have with growing superfluous body hair, creating sweat rings, or putting a foot in our mouth at a social setting.

    It's a brand new year Laura Mae, but rest assured, the angst of my envy is not diminished by time, and the petty outbursts and unabashed bemoaning of your achievements shall pepper and permeate 2012.

    Somewhat yours,

    Testosterone

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  5. I wish we had more reasons to pull out floor-length numbers like yours and that purple creation at the end which has me transfixed. Lovely :)

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