One of my very favourite films is Portrait of a Lady.
Portrait of a Lady, starring Nicole Kidman is based on the Henry James novel of the same name.
The reasons I love the film and have watched it many times are for the setting and in particular the Victoriana style wardrobe.
Portrait of A Lady is set in England, in Wiltshire.
Wiltshire is one of the most picturesque parts of the English countryside and Heale House, where much of the film was shot, is so architecturally beautiful I nearly cry every time I see it. Heale is the kind of house that gives me goose bumps all over, if you love homes and gardens like me, you will understand what I mean.
After Heale I start dreaming of another time and can almost envision myself in the English countryside wearing long skirts, lace blouses and hair up in an elaborate plaited coil. Of course I would be dripping with jewels as I wandered the garden devouring romance novels for my fancy.
I am not sure if my over blown and silly imagination is oftentimes more of a curse than an advantage.
The Victorian fashion style is one I have always admired.
The delicate nature of the fabrics, especially the laces and the tulles and the intricate details of the accessories has always resonated. Brooches and drop earrings, hair accessories and velvet bands are very feminine and pieces I have had in and out of my jewellery box over the years.
I have forever been a fan of the buttoned up blouse with a cameo style brooch at the neck or a less structured shirt with a pin on one of the shoulders; not to mention my badge fetish years ago that saw me pinning multiples onto my lapels. As for drop earrings, they are still and will always be my most loved style of earrings; I can probably blame the Victorians for that.
This season fashion is favouring Victoriana.
I am so delighted to see an abundance of lace and frills, soft and beautiful fabrics mixing with harder edge style lace-up shoes and booties. The designers have had fun with Victoriana and included such wonderful pieces in their collections.
I have edited my list of Victoriana from Nordstrom’s Designer Collections. Truthfully, this style is one I truly adore so choosing a selection to show you was not easy.
I am thinking there are two ways to wear Victoriana.
The easiest and most practical is to mix one piece in a classic approach; a lace skirt with a simple tee or a lace shirt with a plain pencil skirt.
Alternatively, I would be tempted to add a pair of flats with an ornate buckle and dress my ears up too.
Certainly less is not more in this Victoriana case.
Victoriana style is one to interpret; let’s interpret. xv
Portrait Of A Lady: Victoriana
divine inspiration
marni horn and crystal drop earrings // simone rocha beaded brooch // manolo hangisi flat // manolo hangisi jewelled pump
erdem peplum top // lanvin lace blouse // proenza sshouler broderie anglaise top
oscar de la renta guipure lace skirt // simone rocha embellished midi dress // paskal laser cut midi skirt // saint laurent bootie
p.s
don’t forget to watch the new video of Portrait of a Lady in EYSPYE
images portrait of a lady, steven meisel, john singer sargent
