Diverting from Hats for a Blog Award

The lovely Lucy of Enchanted by Josephine nominated me for a blog award yesterday. I wasn't surprised that Lucy won this award herself since she has been ever so supportive and kind. Lucy seems like a real friend, even though we've never met. And almost every blog I visit, I see she's already been there herself. Lucy, when do you sleep?

With this award, I must in turn nominate others to share the prize and they, in turn, are supposed to nominate others in the same spirit of blogging friendship.

"This blog invests and believes in the PROXIMITY-nearness in space, time and relationships. These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in prizes or self-aggrandizement! Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers! Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this clever-written text into the body of their award."

My nominations are as follows (and in no particular order):

Elisabeth of Au Temple des Modes who took an obscure reference to an "apple-green bodice" belonging to Marie Antoinette and sent me a photo within an hour of my posting.

Tristan Robin Blakeman of Enchanted Revelry who inspired me to host a Mad Tea Party on my blog.

Rachel of The Wandering Bunny who seems to be the only person willing to publicly comment on my Blog of a Bookworm and told me to continue writing even though I wasn't sure anyone was reading it.

Joy Jones of Cupid's Charm who made me promise to take a photo when I wear her Marie Antoinette inspired jewelery during my visit to Versailles. Joy also posted several of my fashion plates on her popular blog which added many new visitors to mine.

Lucyxx of Corset Laced Mannequins who responded so sweetly and promptly to my comments on her beautiful blog. (Is everyone named Lucy so charming?)

Heather Carroll of Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire's Gossip Guide who was the first one to discover my fashion plates and post them on her blog.

Catherine Delors of Versailles and More who patiently corrects me when I mess up on French translations (ie., giving Madame Campan the incorrect title).

Jacqueline Loewen of Money Magnet Book Blog who suggested that I blog in the first place.

To all these friends, I say thank you!!! If we could all meet in one place, I would love to have you to a real party (of course, you'd all have to wear hats!).

Don't forget to come back on Saturday, March 7 at 10 am EST for the cyber-version of a Mad Tea Party!

Quotes about Hats

Hats by Alexander McQueen, 2008 Collection


At the opening of the exhibition Hats: An Anthology by Stephen Jones at the Victoria and Albert Museum, Stephen Jones had some insightful comments about hats:

"Hats are a great antidote to what's going on. It's really their purpose to put a happy face on a sad world."

"That's the thing about hats. They're extravagant and full of humour and allow for a sense of costume, but in a lighthearted way."


Here are some other famous quotations about hats:

"Fashion is a kind of communication. It's a language without words. A great hat speaks for itself." (author unknown)

"Saying you don't look good in a hat is like saying you don't look good in shoes!" (author unknown)

"I myself have 12 hats, and each one represents a different personality." (Margaret Atwood)

"I enjoy hats. And when one has filthy hair, that is a good accessory." (Julia Roberts)

"A hat is a flag, a shield, a bit of armor, and the badge of femininity. A hat is the difference between wearing clothing and wearing a costume; it's the difference between being dressed and being dressed up; it's the difference between looking adequate and looking your best. A hat is to be stylish in, to glow under, to flirt beneath, to make all others seem jealous over, and to make all men feel masculine about. A piece of magic is a hat." (Martha Sliter)

Maybe I will wear that crazy red hat after all!

Please join me on Saturday at 10 am EST for the first Mad Hatter's Tea Party!

March and The Mad Hatter

Before I fell down the rabbit hole and decided to host a Mad Tea Party, I had other plans for my blog. But I think I've fallen in love with hats and will use hats as my theme for the month.

If you are one of my fans who visits for posts about Marie Antoinette, don't despair!!! Hats were eye-popping confections in the 1770s and Rose Bertin, the marchandes des modes of Marie Antoinette, initially made her reputation based on hats. I will have plenty to write about to keep my historical fashion fans happy.

If you want to join the Mad Tea Party, please send me photos of your hat creations (whether made using the origami instructions, crafted, knit, or sewn) or your favourite hat that you are wearing (feel free to pull the brim over your eyes if you are shy or wish to remain incognito). I will post them in groupings of four since four guests attended the Mad Hatter's Tea Party, including Alice, the Mad Hatter, the Dormouse, and the March Hare. I will accept photos up to and including March 31st. Please send your submissions to artismylife@mac.com.

As for what else is going on in the world of fashion, here are some March highlights:

March 4: Interchange, Taking Shape Lecture at the Textile Museum of Canada - A discussion with artists and curators about the exhibition The Cutting Edge, which focuses on the shape of a garment and what it signifies

March 6: Dr. Alexandra Palmer will be giving a lecture on Christian Dior: History & Modernity to Friends of the Textile and Costume Members of the Royal Ontario Museum.

March 8: Last day to visit the Fashion No-No show at the Harbourfront Centre in Toronto. In this show, six female artists present their points of view about the body and its relationship to technology, art and design.

March 8: Green is the New Black at the Costume Museum of Canada in Winnipeg. An evening to showcase Winnipeg talent who focus on up-cycling fashion. (I won't be going; you couldn't pay me enough to go to Winnipeg in the winter!). If you go, check out the Nightwear exhibition which explores the intimacy of bedroom clothing.

March 9: The infamous Barbie will celebrate her 50th Birthday!!!

March 22: Last day to see The Nature of Diamonds at the Royal Ontario Museum. There are some spectacular diamonds on display. (My favourite jewels were the exquisite diamond dog collar necklace and the two matching black lace cuff bracelets speckled with diamonds!!)

March 31: The exhibition Court Pomp and Royal Ceremony opens at the Chateau de Versailles. The gown belonging to Marie Antoinette which is owned by the Royal Ontario Museum will be on display there. If you cannot attend the show which will run until June 28, 2009 and would like to see photos of this dress, please see my postings from October and November 2008.

And lastly, don't forget to pop over to Blog of a Bookworm. I recently posted a review of 18th Century Embroidery Techniques and tomorrow will post a review of The Art of Dress.