That's So Renaissance

Now is the time of spruceness

Question: Can Resort-Wear Be Renaissance?

Answer: Yes! Well, yes, according to Erdem’s Resort 2012 and 2013 collections. Here are some highlights from 2012:

                          

                         

So much lace - and headpieces! Also, I’m really into this model’s chalky complexion; she reminds me of death masks and Piero della Francesca’s portrait of Battista Sfroza, Duchess of Urbino (circa 1465).

               

And, let’s be serious, as a fellow pale-lady, I appreciate her whiteness in a resort collection. 

Now onto 2013! 

                         

                         

I love the high necklines here and how even though the collection is brimming with pattern (and pattern on pattern!), it never seems overwhelming. If only I had the navy lacy/paisley dress I would wear it everywhere. So Renaissance - so resort perfect!

-AC

I believe this photo of Kristen Stewart and Kirsten Dunst at Cannes will be a good learning experience for us to decipher what can be considered Renaissance and what most certainly is not:

                              

Okay. Well… As much as I love Kristen Stewart and will openly admit that I read the Twilight Saga (and liked it), I cannot deal with her pants. They hurt me. As pretty as she looks, we could never call what she’s wearing Renaissance; Castiglione would have a nervous breakdown if he saw her. One of the cardinal rules of Renaissance dressing is to always avoid excess. Now, to be clear, this is not to say that we should not accessorize or even seek to swath ourselves in luxurious items, however we should do so tastefully and in moderation. (Also, it’s always good to avoid wearing ugly pants.) We should take a lesson from Kirsten’s ensemble and note that she is absolutely accessorized but hardly excessorized.    

         

Simple white and perfect attention to details (the gold on the soles of her shoes!) seals the Renaissance deal in my book. The moral of my story is: be done but not overdone. Also, I can’t even articulate how envious I am of her Dolce & Gabbana crown… I mean, really… 

-AC

asongoficeandfashion: Lysa Arryn // Solange Azagury-Partridge earrings Nothing says that’s so Renaissance like talons gripping pearls.  -AC

asongoficeandfashion:

Lysa Arryn // Solange Azagury-Partridge earrings

Nothing says that’s so Renaissance like talons gripping pearls. 

-AC

As summer is fast approaching, one problem is looming large: how does one wear a swimsuit while maintaining a Renaissance approach to life? Sixteenth century ladies certainly did not have skimpy two pieces to parade about in, so this is my attempt to craft a Renaissance-inspired beach look.  Zimmerman bathing suit available at Net-A-Porter.com. Valentino Glam Braided Thong Sandal available at BergdorfGoodman.com Roberto Marroni Pink Opal and Brown Diamond Pendant necklace available at Barneys.com Rosemallow Chemise available at Anthropologie.com Yves Saint Laurent tote available at Net-A-Porter.com Ray-Ban Clubmaster sunglasses available at Ray-Ban.com That’s So Renaissance. Now all we need to do is book our tickets for a fantastic Spanish getaway to escape the disgusting humidity of NYC and we’re good to go!  -AC

As summer is fast approaching, one problem is looming large: how does one wear a swimsuit while maintaining a Renaissance approach to life? Sixteenth century ladies certainly did not have skimpy two pieces to parade about in, so this is my attempt to craft a Renaissance-inspired beach look. 

Zimmerman bathing suit available at Net-A-Porter.com.

Valentino Glam Braided Thong Sandal available at BergdorfGoodman.com

Roberto Marroni Pink Opal and Brown Diamond Pendant necklace available at Barneys.com

Rosemallow Chemise available at Anthropologie.com

Yves Saint Laurent tote available at Net-A-Porter.com

Ray-Ban Clubmaster sunglasses available at Ray-Ban.com

That’s So Renaissance. Now all we need to do is book our tickets for a fantastic Spanish getaway to escape the disgusting humidity of NYC and we’re good to go! 

-AC

That’s So Medieval Arriving on the Red Carpet at Cannes decked out in a seriously Medieval fashion (monstrous fur collars, floor length velvet, voluminous cloaks) were the singers from the French duo Brigitte, Sylvie Hoarau (right) and Aurelie Saada (left).   -AC

That’s So Medieval

Arriving on the Red Carpet at Cannes decked out in a seriously Medieval fashion (monstrous fur collars, floor length velvet, voluminous cloaks) were the singers from the French duo Brigitte, Sylvie Hoarau (right) and Aurelie Saada (left).  

-AC

Cannes Red Carpet, continued

Naomi Watts how you set my heart aflutter! Loving her Chopard necklace as the perfect amount of glitz and glamour to compliment her Marchesa gown. 

-AC

dieu-etmondroit:

This day on History:

May 19th

1499 – Katherine of Aragon is married by proxy to Arthur Tudor, Prince of Wales. Catherine is 13 and Arthur is 12.

1536 – Anne Boleyn, the second wife of Henry VIII of England, is beheaded for adultery, treason, and incest.

1568 – Queen Elizabeth I of England orders the arrest of Mary, Queen of Scots.

Renaissance moments from the Cannes Film Festival: Days One and Two

Eva Herzigova looked fantastic in Dolce & Gabbana. Love that she’s covered in glitter and has her arms covered…

… and her neck dripping with Chopard diamonds made in honor of Marilyn Monroe. Gorgeous.

In a muted moment, Hofit Golan looked excellent in her perfectly embellished, long-sleeved gown. That high neckline?! I love it!

Virgiene Ledoyane in simple black and a simple but stunning diamond necklace. 

-AC

This is truly excellent. Another piece for Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee, this Talisman Crown made by De Beers is inspired by the jewelers Talisman Wonder, a piece of art crafted from an array of incredible jewels designed to highlight the beauty of diamonds. The Talisman Crown is an impeccable re-imagining of the crowns of the medieval English monarchy. In the closed form, that is crafted with connecting pieces on its top, this crown reaffirms the English Monarchy as a world power. For more on open versus closed crowns, check out this earlier post on Richard II. De Beers hit upon all the most important features of a royal crown - cross pattees, fleur-de-lis, and the crowning (so to speak) orb. The only thing missing (besides a giant diamond like the Second Star of Africa) is an ermine cushion to make it wearable! All and all, it’s a phenomenal tribute to the institution of the English monarchy.

This crown will of course not be worn but instead will be on display in the window of Harrods from May 15th through June 15th. 

-AC

Yes! I am beyond excited to go to this exhibition this summer!

-AC

Happy Mother’s Day!

To all the mother’s in the world, happy mother’s day! However right now I would like to acknowledge one particularly Renaissance mother - my own! Yes, Mama Sarah, I believe it is safe to say you are the most dazzlingly Renaissance mom I have yet to encounter. Let’s pause and consider one Renaissance item of my mother’s in particular: her Stubbs and Wootton monagrammed slippers with a crown.

I mean, really, it’s almost too much for me to handle. It’s like she knew (because, ya’ know, moms always know) that I would spend the whole semester thinking about crowns and she needed to have shoes to match - well done! We are so connected.

Happy Mother’s Day, Mummy, I love you!

-AC

The Jaeger LeCoultre Limited Edition Reverso watch in honor of Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubilee. The Swiss watchmakers have a long history of making timepieces for royalty. Evidently King Edward VIII had his family’s coat of arms engraved on his Reverso. The few watches that were made all have been engraved with the Jubilee’s official logo and, of course, are studded with diamonds. I’m not sure what could possibly be more Renaissance. 

-AC