fashion - The Seventh Sphinx

August 6, 2013

the scarab pendant

Speaking of objects I was entirely right to acquire, here is an antique wood and enamel scarab pendant I finally picked up after many months of watching from afar. The colors and visual texture are incredible, and it reminds me of the intricate scarab cabochons you see in the ancient Egyptian section of the MFA (or any such museum), which I always find arresting. Like to try to imagine how they would have been used and worn. It’s quite small, just a little over 1/2″ long. This green-leaning turquoise hue appeals to me in just about every context, really, but especially this one.

[Imagine a massive scarab to hang on the serpent necklace, see what I’m saying? How FIERCE would that be?]

I’ll get more into my love of the ancient Egyptian aesthetic later I’m sure, for now it suffices to say that yes: the creatures chosen for artistic representation, the blending of myth and nature and the mythical resonance of just about everything/pervasive symbolism, the crisp lines and bold colors, the prevalence of gold, eyeliner for all, and of course all those sphinxes…I love it.

I love, too, the process of building – borrowing and elaborating from the great pool of history and myth – my own mythology and establishing my own set of personal symbols, replete with any power I have channeled into them. I am drawn to the concept of the charm or the amulet (I recently lost my cimaruta, sadly), not because I believe in ancient or current systems of power, but because I believe in my own power (certainly over myself, conscious or no), and can derive comfort and strength from my personal totems and emblems. The scarab traditionally symbolizes the sun (another favored symbol of mine), and so growth, development, transformation, creation.

There is a glyph on the back, anyone able to identify? Maybe a stylized Arabic script?

August 3, 2013August 3, 2013

the retro maillot

Women fond of dress are hardly ever entirely satisfied not to be

seen, except among the insane; usually they want witnesses.

– Simone de Beauvoir

These rounded cat eye sunglasses put me in a retro mood.

I searched for a boyshort maillot for ages before I found this one by Seafolly, which has just the silhouette I was looking for, though a bit dull in the back. Despite the forgiving ruching and full (for swimwear) coverage, it still manages not to leave much to the imagination.

Sometimes I can really get behind a halter, which has, in ideal circumstances, a symbiotic relationship with the shoulders, each strengthening the other.

History shows that I consistently go for this kind of drab olive color.

Boyleg maillot from Seafolly (thrifted), sun hat from San Diego Hat Co., Vuarnet sunglasses* (thrifted), 8-9mm pearl studs from Pearls of Joy, Nieman Marcus beach tote (gwp), 8-strand pearl bracelet (eBay), on the lips: Wet ‘n Wild Megalast lipstick in Purty Persimmon (swatched here).

*I’ve been looking for sunglasses with glass lenses, and found the price and style range I was looking for in the French brand Vuarnet. They have a selection of lenses designed for different lighting situations, which high-performance lenses provide protection while allowing great clarity and visibility. The only strange thing about them is the cheapness of the plastic used for the frames given how expensive the lenses are. And the weight can drag them down your nose.

Hugh Laurie wrote a comic novel! It’s quite funny, I suppose in just the way you would expect. I would have read it on the virtue of his uber-appealing salt & pepper stubble alone. Hugh Laurie, is there anything you cannot do?

[My beach towel has penguins on it. I got it when I was 9.]