Mode à la Daisy

Celebrating the Roaring Twenties in a Special Series

À la Daisy :: Tinto 1848 // C-Type Plate // No flashOne of Daisy Buchanan’s accessories I liked in The Great Gatsby was her black and geometric print white headscarf. I looked at it, admired it and thought, “I can do that.” I have a long geometric silk scarf already and have worn it today, double wrapped and tied above my left ear. It’s received the approval from my fellow fashionistas in the office too.

Carey Mulligan as Daisy Buchanan and Leonardo DiCaprio as Jay Gatsby in a scene from “The Great Gatsby

Between Takes

Celebrating the Roaring Twenties in a Special Series

So I might have been a little underwhelmed by the film experience, but these portraits by Hugh Stewart in the May issue of Australian Vogue are just beautiful. They were taken on the set during breaks in filming. I like to imagine the actors rushed off one set straight onto another in whatever they were wearing – sort of like a ‘come as you are’ party – which is entirely appropriate for a film about a man who gave the most fabulous parties ever. 

Click images for larger versions.

A Sebastien Hart Murder Mystery, No. 1398

He parted the beaded curtain carefully, but the rattle gave him away to his beautiful target, and instantly she turned her auburn head, ears pricked up to listen. Catching his breath, he drew back into the darkness and admired her perfect form, visible through the filmy lace of the negligee she wore – or rather, didn’t wear. A trickle of sweat rolled down his brow, and soundlessly he cursed. Had the air in the close room suddenly gone up a few degrees? Or was it something else…?

Ah, the multitudinous joys of pulp fiction. The ridiculous covers featuring scantily clad and pulchritudinous women, the silly copy … What could be more fun than a photoshoot with my friend Sapphire on the theme? After researching dozens of covers (see some here in the Scrapbook), we came up with two concepts, the first of which you see here, featuring the saucy and scantily clad temptress reclining on a suggestively rumpled bed, gun in hand. I love Sapphire’s come-hither look that is belied by the dangerous weapon in her hand ($2.99 from the closest two dollar shop).

Her vintage lingerie comes out of my closet: a flamingo pink slip with a pleated and ruffled hem, and a lacy negligee both c.1960s or 70s, and her curls courtesy of 45 minutes of patient curling by the hairstylist (me) with my iron. And what fun to sort through the photos, complete the artwork and write some suitably lurid copy.

Stay tuned for Sebastien Hart’s next title … 

Je Ne Regrette Rien

Celebrating the Roaring Twenties in a Special Series

I have had my hair short for a while: the first bob was cut longer at the back but this new haircut has it quite short at the back, which I love. It is such a liberating feeling; so easy to style and fast to dry in the mornings.

But recently I was trawling back through the archives and came across a photo of my hair at its longest and I had to gasp at just how long it was. Mad. All one length, it was dull too, with nary a layer to enliven it. Mind you, I barely ever wore it out – I liked to have it long so I could put it up! And since that was the case, it may as well be short I thought. I have no regrets!

Fruit-Flavoured Jewellery

Recently I have discovered that I might have fructose malabsorption. While it is as yet unconfirmed by a doctor, avoiding all sorts of delicious fruits, amongst other things, does seem to improve my well-being. This is very sad, because I love fruit (and probably overdosed on it daily), but I have come up with a healthy alternative … Fruit-flavoured jewellery!

May I present to you my new watermelon necklace? Isn’t it luscious? I believe these stones to be some type of quartz, but they look very much like giant chunks of watermelon encircling my neck. Melancholy begone!