Curious icons: the cult of celebrity

The earthquake and tsunami in Japan have suddenly put frivolities like fashion into perspective. This month my intention was to focus upon the links between celebrities, fashion, art - and religion... The 21st century has some curious icons, in particular, the new class of ‘non-ebrities’ - those famous for simply being famous.

A desire to make obscene amounts of money, together with relentless self-promotion, reality TV and the tabloid press have created unlikely stars, like Big Brother’s Jade Goody and I’m a Celebrity’s Jordan and Kerry Katona.


In November last year, a couple of aspiring US reality stars even gate-crashed President Obama’s first state dinner, posting photos of themselves on their Facebook page in a bid to garner publicity. The whole premise of reality TV is that it’s about real people, which means anyone can be a celebrity. But celebrity culture is founded upon narcissism, fed by devout materialism, and often fuelled by extreme ‘recreational’ drug use.










Anna Nicole Smith was similarly attracted by the lure of media attention and a luxury lifestyle – and eventually consumed by its trappings: junk food, sex, booze and drugs. The opera, Anna Nicole, with Eva-Maria Westbroek in the lead role, has recently been running at London’s Royal Opera House, to mixed reviews. I wasn’t wowed by the music, but the show is in equal measure entertaining, clever, funny, thought-provoking and sad.


Anna’s life was a tragi-comic Cinderella of a story. She started out as a waitress, married an 89 year old billionaire when she was 26, and went on to become the bloated laughing stock of reality TV - her sole ambition to ‘party to the end of time, party like primeval slime.’ Even her dog was on Prozac. She died penniless at the age of 39, shortly after the death of her only son.



Despite her childlike charm and celebrity aura, Anna was painfully insecure and easily manipulated by those around her, especially photographers, filmmakers and her lawyer-lover. She became a pumped-up puppet of the press – the living doll of media fantasy, not unlike her own idol, the ‘sacred’ screen star, Marilyn Monroe. (Anna Nicole was deluded enough to think she was the farmed-out child of Marilyn Monroe, even though Monroe died five years before Anna was born).




It’s weird how celebrities have come to be idolized with almost religious fervour. This curious phenomenon has been captured with irreverent humour by Nathalie Queyraud, whose Defiles from Paris fashion icon rosary necklaces are now available at ShopCurious. Icons featured include Marilyn Monroe, Michael Jackson, Karl Lagerfeld and Marc Jacobs.








Much like the operatic immortalization of Anna Nicole, these serve to remind us of our false gods. There’s even an icon of John Galliano, except we’ve decided not to offer this for sale. But have you ever considered that dictators like Hitler or Mussolini were actually ‘supreme celebrities’?




Anyway, rather than worshipping celebrities, why don’t we save our prayers for people who need and are worthy of them – like all those affected by the horrific disaster in Japan…

Will you?

Icons of fashion illustration

Last night’s preview of the Fashion Illustration Gallery’s new exhibition in association with the Victoria and Albert Museum certainly had the curiosity factor. White gloved gallery assistants added an air of mystery and allure, as they presided over boxes of drawings chosen by Abraham Thomas, Curator of Designs at the V and A.












The works on display (by appointment until 26th March) are from a mix of established artists and emerging contemporary talent. Fashion illustrators featured include Richard Gray, David Downton, Gladys Perint Palmer and Barbara Hulanicki. The styles vary enormously from Daisy de Villeneuve’s childlike sketches to Jason Brooks’ clean commercial lines.




















I particularly like the retro, painterly style employed by David Downton, Tanya Ling and Julie Verhoeven.





















And Hiroshi Tanabe uses silver and gold on his drawings to stunning effect.

Last night, there was something of the magician’s sleight of hand about the presentation of Marko Matysik’s fashion scrapbook (below).













The works selected for the show will become part of the V and A’s permanent collection and will also be featured in a forthcoming book called Illustrating Fashion. Talking of which, we’ve some fascinating out of print books on fashion illustration arriving at ShopCurious shortly - so do keep an eye on the website for exciting new additions…

Will you?

Curiosities in the kitchen?

This Shrove Tuesday many of us will be delving into our cupboards in search of long forgotten foodstuffs like flour, honey or maple syrup for our pancakes. We’ll possibly find a few curiosities along the way: I unearthed a bottle of pickled walnuts and some mouldy peanut butter… yum!






Eating habits have become much more adventurous over the past couple of decades. Even the French, though fiercely protective of their classic style cuisine, seem to be experimenting more.

I’m not a fan of creperies, which seem to have escaped the 21st century altogether, but the traditional French style café with its checked tablecloths and eclectic mix of local clientele is making a valiant effort to present food in a more arty and appealing manner.



And new restaurants are going directly for the novelty factor. Like the Mini Palais – a cabinet of curiosities housed in the Grand Palais art and exhibition space.









With mysterious wall hangings, shelves of antiquities and unusually dramatic lighting effects, this is where eating out meets theatre.






Best of all is the food, which is some of the tastiest and most inventive I’ve sampled in Paris for a long time – even the bread is divinely different. You’ll have to try it…









Or you could always create your own unique ambience. If you’re looking add a touch of quirky retro character to your dining table, may I suggest this collectable Carlton Ware curiosity cruet set at ShopCurious, which is cleverly shaped like a mushroom.










Great for all the condiments required for Pancake Day. Though I’m not sure you'll be needing the French mustard...

Will you?

Paris blossoms into springtime

They say there’s nowhere like Paris in the springtime, but I’ve noticed something rather curious about the city at this time of year… Unlike London, the centre doesn’t seem to have so many trees – at least not of the blossoming variety.

Never mind, the French make up for it in style. If you’re in Paris for Fashion Week, look out for the blossom in shops, restaurants and hotels. Here are a few photographs from my travels around the city:









The prettily decorated Tresor by Brigitte Masson in the Marais district (curiously reminiscent of my former boutique, Fashion Gallery in the late 1990s) always has a lovely window display – this one featuring a blossom-dressed, quirky papier mache mannequin.






















The Japanese influence appears to be quite popular this season (see today’s post at The Dabbler for more on this trend in photography) - artificial cherry trees appear in quite a few shop windows, along with other more curious flower-filled displays.

And not forgetting the twinkling tree lined avenues and arty floral arrangements in grand hotel foyers, like the George V, as shown below.


















Anyway, if you’re looking to bring some slightly lower maintenance Far Eastern floral style into your life, how about these beautifully decorated gold and black lacquered vintage bowls from ShopCurious? There are six altogether – each one featuring a unique, hand painted Japanese design. There’s a lovely lacquer box with abalone shell inlay too, which would be perfect for Mothers’ Day.










Or you could always take Mum to see the curiously blossoming Paris in the springtime…

Will you?

Snapshot of famous French style

I’ve been dabbling at photography again and couldn’t resist sharing this Paris perfumery photograph which, for me, sums up the old-fashioned elegance of French luxury style.

Also, I'd just like to mention that we’ll have some more vintage Hermes silk scarves in stock at ShopCurious very shortly. Sign up to our monthly newsletter for the first opportunity to see and purchase these.

Will you?

By hook or by book...

Today we’re celebrating World Book Day with a collection of cartoons that remains chillingly appropriate.

A copy of the vintage volume, Nature Notes III, personally signed by Peter Brookes, the award-winning political cartoonist for The Times, is available at ShopCurious.

Here is a small selection of Brookes’ curiously clever, nature-themed illustrations from the book:





























A work of art, snapshot of history and collectable heirloom rolled into one, this publication certainly has style with brains.

Do you?

Local icons with universal identity?

Happy St David’s Day! My grandmother, who sadly died years ago, was born in Wales, so I decided to explore my Welsh heritage. Welsh icons include leeks and a delightfully archaic national costume. But it’s not all coal, rugby, sheep and dragons in this curiously Celtic corner of our little island... There are also daffodils and lovespoons too - the latter being rather pertinent in view of Prince William’s impending nuptials - what with him being based at RAF Valley in Anglesey and next in line to inherit the heir apparent's title, Prince of Wales.

Possibly dating from the 14th century, and based on the ‘cawl’ or soup spoon, lovespoons were carved by young Welshmen to demonstrate their practicality and craftsmanship (much needed in rural Wales) to the father of their intended brides. The suitor carved one or more of a selection of traditional symbols to convey his special message:



Single Heart – My Heart is yours
Double Heart – Love is returned, we feel the same way
Celtic Knot – Everlasting
A Flower – Courtship
A Daffodil – Flower of Wales
The Dragon – Symbol of Wales / Protection
A House – My Home is Yours
A key / Keyhole – My Home is Yours
A Chain – Captured Love
Balls in a cage – Captured Love / Number of Children Desired
Heart Shaped Bowl – Fulfilled Love
Double Bowl – The Couple
Triple Bowl – The Couple and family
Vines – Growing Together
Horse Shoe – Good Luck
Bells – The Wedding
A Cross – Faith
A Ship – Safe Journey through Life
An Anchor – I Want to Settle Down
(List courtesy of Lovespoons Wales).



However, accepting this token of love was by no means an indication that a Welsh girl would marry her suitor - and some popular women amassed huge collections of lovespoons…









Anyway, I blame the Royal Wedding for my digression onto the subject of lovespoons, when what I really wanted to talk about is identity. These days it’s rare for us to identify ourselves with one particular place and culture. Most of us are a conglomeration of influences, ranging from birthplace and hometown to cities we’ve travelled to and people we’ve met. Our unique psychogeography and the individual stories that make up our lives have become more significant than our local origins.



Unlike lovespoons, today’s gifts and tokens of affection are more likely to reflect globally procured character – like the curiosity charm necklaces by Cartography40N74W at ShopCurious.

But might this curious trend lead to the wholesale globalization of culture, and what will the implications be for future generations? Or has the nostalgia-led backlash already begun? Your comments are most welcome, especially if you’re proudly Welsh.

Are you?