In the Mood for Love

I saw In the Mood for Love a few months ago, and was really struck by the fashion, especially the dresses. I love the idea of having one basic style and making it look so different through fabric and trim.

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It would probably be pretty easy to get a Cheongsam pattern and find some nifty fabric, but if you look you can find some interesting vintage ones on ebay or etsy. I prefer etsy because I consistently lose autions on ebay . . .

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~Zed

Les Vacances

It's spring break, meaning Zed and I are trapped indoors with a severe case of bloggers block. How unfortunate.

However to ease your boredom, I suggest you listen to some Joe Hisaishi. He's a Japanese musician who has done the soundtracks to many movies, and is excellent to listen to on rainy days. If you've seen any of Kitano's films, you're probably already familiar with Joe Hisaishi's work.




And while your listening to contemporary Japanese pianists, I'd also recommend Yoshiki.



Yoshiki's fame stems from his band X Japan, but his solo project and his classical compositions and covers of his previous works should be noted for their excellence as well.

D.

Hot Water

Eugenio Recuenco via Lace & Tea

The lack of a bathtub at my disposal is saddening . . . even a modern one, without drippy candles along the edges would be lovely. I am making do with some very nice soap from Villainess Soaps, however, which makes enduring dorm showers all that much more bearable.

~Zed

Real men wear . . .

Antique heels. They don't make men's shoes like they used to.

(Man's shoe c. 1650-60. Leather, Silk Cord, Tassles. 15x8x22 cm, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, MA. www.mfa.org )

(Man's tie shoe late 19th Century. Kid leather and Silk, 14.1x19x25.5 cm. Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, MA. www.mfa.org )

The day I discovered these beauties was clearly a good one. I've been sorely tempted to start designing my own shoes based off these and other antique ones, however, my lack of shoe lasts (the form you shape the exterior of the shoe on) has slowed the process. Perhaps I will make my own.

The process of making shoes seems interesting, and strangely straightforward. I have no intention of following any of the articles I've read on it, as I refuse to believe there is only one way of doing things. Most cultures have some sort of footwear, and they can't all make them the same way.

Granted, after I try to make a pair, I'll probably go back and follow each step of someone's tutorial and be left with a rather bland pair of useless slippers.

D.

Welcome

Albrect Durer, Portrait of the Artist Holding a Thistle

(c) Musee de Louvre/A. Dequier- M. Bard link

Welcome to Bois de Merveilles. We plan to use this blog as a place to talk about art, fashion, aesthetics, music, and whatever else may chance to catch our attention. We hope you will stop to wander through once there is . . . something to wander through.

D & Zed