Windows on the gothic world

Now I’m looking through the oval window and am reminded of the words from cult retro children’s TV programme, Play School. But this is a very grown up play school. It’s Strawberry Hill, the 18th century gothic revival style residence of Horace Walpole, former home to his world famous private collection of curiosities and works of art, and inspiration for the first ever gothic novel -The Castle of Otranto.

Walpole called his castle a ‘plaything house’, as its design deliberately avoided the fashionable classical features of the time, such as columns, pediments, order and symmetry. In collaboration with a group of amateur architect friends, Walpole based his designs on the architecture of the great gothic cathedrals and abbeys.






According to the website, “Medieval tombs, arched doorways, rose windows and carved screens were models for his fireplaces, windows, doors and ceilings. Books of prints rather than the buildings themselves were his reference point and, instead of carved stone, the rooms and ornament of Strawberry Hill are wood, plaster and papier mache.”

Walpole intended a tour of Strawberry Hill to be a theatrical experience. “You enter a gloomy hall and pass up a staircase of grey stony appearance before finally entering the sumptuous state apartment – a burst of crimson and gold.”








































































The house has recently been refurbished to the tune of £9 million and I took a sneak preview, before it fully re-opens to the public in April this year. The works were still in progress - I doubt they will ever be finished, judging by the painstaking attention to detail and requirement for specialist conservation and regular maintenance.





The renovation of Strawberry Hill is a masterpiece of professional craftsmanship down to the very last detail. From the carpentry and gilding, through to the glass painting and even the careful choice of colours used for the decoration – everything has been done with absolute precision and expertise – as you can see from these photographs of some of the fabulous hand painted glass windows.

Gothic style has become increasingly popular in recent years, undergoing something of a modern makeover in fashion as well as interiors. And, thinking ahead to Valentine’s Day, fans of gothic style might like this vintage heart shaped curiosity box from ShopCurious. Or you could always book a visit to the curiously romantic Strawberry Hill instead…

Will you?

PS Read more about post-gothic steampunk style over at The Dabbler blog

The future, written in stone?

Yesterday, I happened to be attending a lunch at The National Liberal Club, where I noticed this magnificent marble bust of 19th century Prime Minister, Gladstone, at the entrance. Innocent looking enough as a decorative work of art…












Busts are a great way of being immortalized for posterity, as well as adding a touch of gravitas to any interior. We’ve got some curiously colourful, contemporary examples, based on classical sculptures by Hacene Sadoune at ShopCurious. (If you’d like a bust made in your image, or that of a loved one, this can also be arranged).









Anyway, when my eyes wandered down to the text inscribed on the plinth below the bust, I was genuinely surprised to read Gladstone’s words from a speech at Chester:

“The principle of Toryism is mistrust of the people, qualified by fear: the principle of Liberalism is trust in the people qualified by prudence.”




How curious that the Liberals now share power with the Tories, holding office for the first time in over half a century. And extraordinary that partial control of the Government is in the hands of this minority party, which actually lost seats in the recent election. Does this indicate how far the parties have progressed to overcome their differences – or should these words act as a warning for the future of this historic coalition?

What do you think?

Do you?

For the love of Sweet Charity

I once asked the film director, Oliver Stone, to name his favourite film. Mr Stone has a reputation for being something of a misogynist and probably needed no excuse to look down his nose and sneer at my “stupid question”, telling me in no uncertain terms that he had “hundreds” of favourite films. Well, so do I, but I can say with absolute certainty that Sweet Charity is, without exception, my favourite film of all.

In fact, I recently booked tickets to see a new production of the musical version that’s on at the Menier Chocolate Factory, London SE1, starring Tamzin Outhwaite in the lead role. However, I don’t think anyone could ever match the exceptional performance of Shirley Maclaine as Charity Hope Valentine in the original film.







Sweet Charity is about so much more than the fabulous party dresses, memorable songs, outstanding dance routines and curiously captivating plot: In 1957, Federico Fellini directed a comedy drama, Nights of Cabiria, based on the amusing tales of an ‘Italian gamine’. Bob Fosse was so impressed by the film preview, that he stayed up for 48 hours, filling many ashtrays, to conceive and choreograph the Broadway show version of Sweet Charity. In 1967, Universal purchased the film rights to create Sweet Charity, ‘the musical adventures of a girl who wants to be loved’, directed by Fosse. The film’s a real weepy, especially if you’re the sentimental sort, so remember to keep a box of tissues handy…




Charity Hope Valentine, played by Maclaine, is a dance-hall hostess who longs to settle down with the man of her dreams. A tale of mankind’s lost innocence, the film’s essential beauty lies in Charity’s faith in her fellow human beings, in her unfailing trust and openness. Despite and because of her generous heart and enormous passion for life, she is a hapless victim of reality: the corrupt world we live in and the materialistic values of society.






Vulnerable to men who cheat and take advantage of her, the film charts the ups and downs of Charity’s relationships, including a hilariously anti-climactic fling with Vittorio Vitale - played by the divinely smooth Ricardo Montalban, and a wedding to the love of her life, insurance salesman, Oscar – played by John McMartin, which ends in tragedy. However, even when she’s at rock bottom and has nothing left to live for, having lost everything she holds dear to ‘the fickle finger of fate’, Charity never loses hope… which, to me, is key to appreciating the depth of this film and its tragi-comic portrayal of the human condition.






If you’re a lover of retro fashion, lavish interiors and late 1960s nostalgia, you’ll also appreciate this original souvenir programme from the 1969 film, Sweet Charity, that’s available at ShopCurious. It covers the film’s history and introduces each member of the cast, which also includes Sammy Davis Jr, famously starring as a psychedelic underground religious leader and the awesomely stylish dancers, Chita Rivera and Paula Kelly. There are photos from all the song performances including ‘If My Friends Could See Me Now’, ‘The Rhythm of Life’, ‘I Love to Cry at Weddings’ and ‘Hey Big Spender’.













































There’s also a section on the making of the film and the key people involved, including Fosse, the playwright Neil Simon and the composer, Cy Coleman. I particularly enjoyed learning about the set design and reading the piece on Edith Head, the Chief Costume Designer for Universal City Studios. Ricardo Montalban was apparently so impressed with the costumes that he purchased all his clothing from the film and is quoted as saying, “ The designs are very special and the tailoring is finer than any outfits I’ve ever worn.” Miss Head, who authored books on ‘dressing for success’, was also responsible for a new jewellery innovation in the form of diamante tattoos.






The Sweet Charity programme would make a wonderfully individual and unusual Christmas gift, or could form an incredible source of inspiration, if you’re involved with fashion trends or interiors. Of course, as it’s also highly collectable, a film buff might like to consider this niche publication as an investment. I suspect that a piece of cinematographic heritage as uniquely rare as this might even appeal to Mr Stone.

Do you?

PS If you’re tempted to get this film on DVD, please beware, as the laserdisc version has an alternative, happier and less inspiring ending than the original video recording.

Viva vintage Versace

I imagine that avid members of the style tribe are already trotting down to Sotheby’s, curious to view the splendid spoils of Versace’s villa that are due to go under the hammer next Wednesday.

Versace wasn’t just a designer, he was a major trend-setter and a key contributor to the culture of bling. His glitzy and glamorous fashions and interiors defined the ‘loadsamoney’ luxury lifestyle of the late ‘80s and early ‘90s.


We’ve some rare vintage Versace treasures in the form of perfect examples of what Gianni did best – fashion. This original vintage fluffy pink cable knit sweater appeared in Versace’s Autumn/Winter 1994-95 catalogue, both of which are now available at ShopCurious.

The stunning photographs of Versace’s iconic ‘94-5 collection were taken by Richard Avedon. Featuring a sea of supermodels, this collectable catalogue showcases peak-of career-Versace designs – including this stylish black halter dress (below left), which happens to be my favourite. One of the images shows a doe-eyed and innocent looking Carla Bruni in a hot red boucle suit (below right).
























The ultimate in look-books, this will definitely appeal to you if you’re into the cult of the body-beautiful. Of course, I’m only interested from the point of view of fashion and fashion as art.














It wasn’t that long ago, but the models’ figures appear to be rather more normal sized and wholesome than those of today … and the statuesque poses displaying bulging muscled thighs are pure neo-classical-style Versace – the phrase ‘in Versace veritas’ springs to mind.
Are you?

Do you ShopCurious?

• Are you ready to buy something you really like, rather than something you want to be seen to have, because it’s supposedly the current ‘in thing’ that everyone else – especially the press – is raving about?

• Do you identify with the trend away from mass-market branded luxury goods. Are you more discerning, more aware of original-yet-timeless style?

• Will you forget the hype, ignore celebrity endorsements, go with your gut feel, take responsibility for what you choose – even use your taste as an extension of your personality?

James Martin, writing for Live Magazine (The Mail on Sunday, March 2008) says: “This is a disposable world. Fridges, phones, TVs, cars: everything’s made to be scrapped. High-street chains sell £20 copies of the latest designer clobber that conveniently fall apart before you’re bored with them. That’s fine – stitches put in by a Chinese 12-year-old aren’t designed to last. But these days I’m interested in stuff that is.”

“....these days. Everything looks nice. Everything looks Italian. And modern. And a tiny bit retro without being old-fashioned. With one of those cowhide rugs thrown in front of the HD plasma…And this is why the sharp end of the market has moved on.. The forward-looking bods in the interiors market no longer shop anywhere you or I shop, because if they did there would be the chance they might buy something someone else might own. No, the fashion these days is for one-off pieces that aspire to art..” says Dylan Jones, editor of GQ Magazine in Live Magazine (Mail on Sunday, March 2008).

“After a decade of an increasing obsession with brands, glitz and sleek style, accompanied by a faux cheer … a new era has begun…The result is a shift in values. When it comes to lifestyle and design, practicality and comfort merge with style. Life’s objects are chosen because they delight the eye and lift the spirit, not to impress others…this era of exploration involves discovering, honing and embracing ones own tastes, making them less contrived, truer – even if they run counter to trends.” Shelley von Strunckel, Elle Decoration, February 2008

Couldn't agree more! And you?
Are you? Will you?