I was 9 years old when I first read Nana. I was on holiday and had run out of books, so picked up the novel my Dad had just done with and tucked in. On first read I fell in love with the childish, impulsive, somewhat cruel, Nana and the heady perfume of her theatrical world. My first encounter with her was as she walked out onto the stage almost naked for her theatre debut at the tender age of 15. The hush of the crowd followed me through the book as Nana fucked, fought, and froliced with almost every male who run across her path. While she can hardly be considered to be a heroine in the heroic sense, and Zola is often at pains to point out how ignorant or immature she is, the sheer determination to make someone of herself is leaves its mark on even the hardest heart.
At the age of 9 I could hardly understand the not so subtle sexual tone of the book, but I loved Nana for bucking the system in every way she could, and having a bed surrounded by blue drapes and carved cherubs. Now, having read the book countless more times I love her pig headedness, her sharp tongue, and her girlish gaudiness. Had she been moved from the 1800s to now, I'd like to think her look would be perfect for any hopeful cocotte.
Ossie Clark Casino Crepe Blouse
Bobbi Brown No Smudge Mascara in Black
Make It A Date: Bright Star
Lately life chez moi has been rather topsy-turvey, we've had double the amount of housemates due to that blasted volcano, people moving in, people moving out, a broken router, an broadband bill we forgot to pay which involved me wandering through Whitechapel in the rain to find a pay point, and a week of parties in the flat above, oh and me leaving my job to go full-time freelance.
Amidst all this chaos and disruption I sat down to watch Bright Star and no sooner had the opening credits begun rolling but I was transfixed and slightly teary. Bright Star is the story of John Keats, the poet, and Fanny Brawne, his neighbour, and their tempestuous romance during the last 3 years of Keat's life. Abbie Cornish as Fanny is a wonder: a romantic lead who is smart, funny, headstrong, and gorgeous; while Ben Whishaw was perfect as a coy yet passionate Keats.
Being someone who neither goes for period dramas nor the poems of Keats I'm not sure what possessed me to watch this film, though it was probably it's appearance on One Day, One Movie, but I am glad I did. While the soft focus saturated colours drew me in initially (I'm a sucker for anything made on real film stock) Abbie Cornish's smart, funny, and insanely stylish character kept me hooked. Sometimes I'll watch a film just for the costumes, compiling colour combinations and looks in my head for days afterwards, and I have sat through a lot of shockers just to see a dash of mauve against a snowy white arm, I hate to admit, however I'm happy to report that Bright Star was no Marie Antoinette thank fuck. This was a smart, engaging film that made me fall in love with falling in love all over again.
Fanny's mostly homemade outfits are still rattling around in my head with their bright ruffled accents, and her penchant for enormous hats, and despite her look being rather avant-garde for those stuffy times it makes her an even more beguiling creature than either I or Keats thought possible.
Steal a little inspiration from her hotch-potch style and go wild on your next date! Throw caution to the wind! Layer ruffles on ruffles, patterns on patterns, and dress like that headstrong heroine you always wanted to be!
You are not a boring person so why should your date outfit be? Stop playing it safe and dress however makes you happy. After all if Fanny could get away with those kind of get ups, and have such an unfortunate name at the same time, then what's to stop you and your less lewd name snagging a genius all to yourself?
Photos from Miles Adrift on tumblr who's url I have rather lost and forgotten!, and screencaps by me.