Armchair Culture Part 2 - London
Places To Escape To …
Welcome to the second instalment of our globetrotting cultural tour - New York, London, Paris and Milan, in fashion week order! Welcome to the world of the armchair traveller and vintage fashionista!
It is the strangest of times at the moment. And I’m steering away from the news as I find all that it does is make me anxious! That’s not to say that I’m sticking my head in the sand either. I’ll read and digest what the pundits say, but I have had to allocate times to do this, otherwise I am not a happy bunny to be around. I have to allow myself time to escape! Yes! It’s officially a coping strategy!
So in order to escape a little I’ve been travelling across the world in search of virtual cultural experiences, and stopping by at museums along the way. I’m afraid there’s definitely a bias towards some beautiful Vintage Couture, (well if you don’t know me by now)! Actually I think my husband is probably quite relieved that I am locked away in my study typing this and not dragging him along with me! (Well, not until he is drafted in to proofread this later!)
We’ve already been across the Atlantic to New York in a previous blog post.
LONDON
Time to make cup of tea, or perhaps something stronger if the time of day allows! One of my lockdown challenges was to finally drink all those leaf teas in tins in the cupboard - all that is left is Fortnum’s Christmas tea, I’m going to give it a try!!
THE VICTORIA AND ALBERT MUSEUM
It’s off to South Kensington for the quite possibly my favourite place on the planet, the Victoria and Albert Museum. A couple of days ago my phone reminded me that this time last year I was lost amongst the beautiful Dior dresses in the V and A museum. I had planned the Bags Inside Out Exhibition, relaxing afterwards in the cafe, and meeting my husband for a meal before the last train home. But our lives have been put on hold and for the foreseeable future it’s not to be.
However you can still while the hours away here. As part of a collaboration with Google Arts and Culture you can revisit several of the V and A’s exhibitions online. My favourite has to be the wonderful:
Balenciaga Master Craftsman
Based on exhibits from "Shaping Fashion” I’d almost say the exhibition online is as good as the real thing! And there’s a brochure to read too.
““Haute couture is like and orchestra whose conductor is Balenciaga. We other couturiers are like the musicians and we follow the direction he gives.””
Evening dress by Balenciaga, 1954 ©Victoria and Albert Museum, London
There’s wonderful sculptural shapes and uplifting colours. And a series of fascinating X-rays detailing the “invisible engineering” of the gowns, with their hidden construction of bones and wires and layers of gathered tulle. And even pins trapped in the hem!
Schiaparelli and Surrealism
Another joy is the slideshow of the “Schiaparelli and Surrealism” exhibition online, the photographs are glorious and you can see every piece in detail. Close up you can see the tiny stitches that breathe life into the garments, it’s wonderful! The ribbon roses on the cocktail coat designed in collaboration with Jean Cocteau are stunning!
Schiaparelli Coat, 1937, ©Victoria and Albert Museum, London
Although I’ll reserve judgement on the brown crepe “Etruscan” dress!
Hop back to the swinging sixties for:
Mary Quant Beauty Bus
And wander down to the bottom of the page for more interesting reads, and a free downloadable PDF pattern for a Mary Quant Georgie dress!
Gallery of Fashion
And amongst the Gallery of Fashion I found this, which left me feeling inspired to create something similar! Those sleeves! The contrasting trim with a bow at the elbow!
Mary Quant Dress © Victoria And Albert Museum, London
There are inspiring videos over on the V & A’s YouTube channel. And as I am officially a Dior addict I will include:
Fashion unpicked: The Bar Suit by Christian Dior
A peak behind the scenes at how Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams was created
And if you love a bit of sparkle you could check out Queen Victoria’s sapphire and diamond coronet.
Queen Victoria’s Sapphire And Diamond Coronet © Victoria And Albert Museum
Whilst you are in London there are other museums you can dip in to. How about:
A virtual tour of the BRITISH MUSEUM, and also “Traditional Jewellery and Dress form the Balkans.”
A virtual tour of THE NATIONAL GALLERY
And a trip along the river the Crown Jewels at THE TOWER OF LONDON
Modern technology does allow us to curl up and escape the news for a few hours. It’s true that you can spend hours exploring the museums of the world, especially now that we are confined to our homes. Distraction helps deal with corona-anxiety, so it’s fine to give yourself permission! (Well, that’s my excuse and I’m sticking to it!) Enjoy your lockdown cultural journeys, and wherever you go on your armchair travels “Bon Voyage”.
Take care, stay safe. Allow yourself to escape (well virtually)! And have some fun!
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