Which muse to choose?

Love ‘em or loathe ‘em, fashion designers’ muses are often celebrity icons – actresses, singers, models, or well connected celebtocracy types. As Liz London’s pop-art style fashion muse inspired artworks are currently available at ShopCurious, I decided to take a closer look at the role of the celebrity muse.

Free clothing and accessories, plus masses of attention grabbing publicity are some of the perks of the muse’s job, but what must she (or, increasingly ‘he’) offer in return? Here’s my list of the top 10 requirements of a job spec. for musedom:






1) Beauty or aesthetic appeal
2) A ‘coat-hanger’ body to show off the latest designs
3) A large following, to get designs noticed
4) Wealthy friends, who might buy designer creations
5) Relationship issues – always good for extra publicity
6) A willingness to be re-styled every season
7) Some semblance of individuality for inspiration
8) An ability to walk in high heeled shoes
9) A good PR firm
10) A love of fashion, or a talented stylist.





We may well think it’s all air-heads and freebies, but celebrity fashion is hugely commercial, and even muses have to pull their weight (oops, did I mention weight?)

And, of course, there are some muses who fall outside this categorization - who have their own arty, eccentric, and curiously inspirational style, like the late Isabella Blow, Daphne Guinness and Lady Gaga.










Anyway, if you’ve got any additional points to add to the list, do let me know.

Will you?

Woodland wonders

It no longer matters if your home furnishings are a little bit rough around the edges. Unfinished interiors are all the rage. We feature some of these in our Curious Trends blog today in an article that also focuses upon sylvan style.








Woodland colours, wooden objects and leaves are going to be very much in evidence in decorative art, interior design and fashion accessories over the coming year or so.






This fabulous pair of vintage 1950s jewelled clip-on earrings from ShopCurious epitomize the leafy green look, and would make a perfect gift for Mothers’ Day.

And, talking of woods, did your mother always ask you to try not to get dirty when you played outdoors? Unfortunately, dirt is an occupational hazard of being human – and it’s the subject of my column today at The Dabbler, where you can read about all manner of filthy things. I bet that’s got you curious…

Are you?

Icon of beauty

In memory of Dame Elizabeth Taylor who sadly died today at the age of 79.

Famed for her striking violet eyes and fiery temper, Elizabeth Taylor was the classic beauty of her age. The child star of National Velvet was a fine actress – most notably in Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf, in which she starred with the love of her life and on-off husband, Richard Burton. ShopCurious pays tribute to Elizabeth Taylor with clips from these films:

This is how I will remember her.

Will you?

Are you high-brow, or low-brow?

There’s more retro upcycling in my special Retro-Progressive post today at The Dabbler. Check out ShopCurious’ updated version of an old feature from a 1940s Time Magazine that’s been magnificently illustrated by The Spine.

Entitled ‘Everyone's Tastes from High-brow to Low-brow’, the chart uses iconic images to represent our preferences in areas such as food, fashion, furniture and entertainment.

Take a look at this amusing snapshot of our style and lifestyle choices. And let me know what you think…

Will you?

Age, vanity and upcycled old bags

Nietzsche said, “the vanity of others offends our taste only when it offends our vanity.” The word ‘vanity’ as we know it, didn’t develop narcissistic undertones until the 14th century. Excessive pride in appearance and conceitedness are usually frowned upon, yet seem to have become de rigueur in today’s fashion focused world.







But, “modern excesses of body shape and fashion are not a recent phenomenon,” says Dr Ulinka Rublack, teacher of early modern European history at Cambridge University, and author of Dressing Up:Cultural Identity in Renaissance Europe. Apparently, even in the 15th century, people aspired to an elongated, delicate and slim silhouette. With the development of international trade by merchants from around the world came new fabrics and techniques for cutting and sewing, along with unique accessories such as hats, bags, gloves and hairpieces. And Renaissance art was the ‘new media’ of its day – a way of being noticed and admired by others.



July 1526, Mattheus Schwarz, of the Fugger family in Augsburg, commissioned a naked image of himself looking fashionably slim. In fact, during his life, Schwarz commissioned 135 watercolour paintings in various outfits, which were compiled into an album called the Klaidungsbuchlein (Book of Clothes), which is currently housed in a museum in Brunwick. From the book, we know that Schwarz carried heart shaped leather bags in green (the colour of hope) when courting. In later images, he wore black, as opposed to the red of his youth, so as not to apear like mutton dressed up as lamb.




Talking of of which, I thought you might like to see these vintage vanity cases by uoldbag from ShopCurious. Each one is an upcycled old bag which has been individually embellished using iconic images from vintage magazine cuttings to create decorative decoupage. A stylish alternative to bland modern travel bags, they’re also great for keeping lots of girly bits and pieces. They’d make an extravagant and unusual Mothers’ Day gift too, in which case they’re probably best described as ‘retro’ rather than ‘old’. You don’t want to offend Mum’s vanity on her special day.

Do you?

Vintage motherly style

For a curiously classic, grown-up look, there’s no accessory that signifies responsible, motherly style more than the traditional silk twill Hermes scarf.

Princess Anne has always been a fan and is often seen wearing one when cheering on her daughter, Zara, at show jumping events.









Margaret Thatcher used to be a great headscarf wearer too, especially when addressing a large audience at an outdoor venue.






Then there were the leading ladies – movie icons like Audrey Heburn, Brigitte Bardot and Grace Kelly, along with famous First Lady, Jackie Onassis. And not forgetting the most regal wearer of all – Her Majesty The Queen.









If you’re feeling particularly generous this Mothers’ Day, I can think of nothing more appropriate as a gift than one of the selection of collectable vintage Hermes silk scarves at ShopCurious.








You can always borrow it too - and if you don’t fancy the traditional look, there are plenty of other ways of wearing a scarf. Just make sure you remember to return it to Mum afterwards.

Will you?

Divinely decorative

True religion is more than just a jeans label…As we increasingly find ourselves searching for meaning amidst the tumult of these rapidly changing times, more of us are seeking solace in some form of spirituality.

I’m always curious to learn about other people’s views on religion and have been fascinated to hear some of the recent speakers on Channel 4’s 4Thought TV. Being exposed to the wide ranging opinions of Scientologists, Islamic fundamentalists and devout Christians certainly broadens the mind.








What’s more, far from losing their meaning, traditional sacred icons, of whatever religion or denomination, seem to be becoming rather popular as decorative home or fashion accessories - which is why we’re offering these antique mother of pearl crucifixes at ShopCurious.







The one thing I can’t get my head around is why anyone chooses to fight over religion, when faith supposedly emanates from pure love. Perhaps we need to go back to basics and search for something a little more sacred within ourselves…

Will you?


PS Over at the Dabbler - read my post on Britain’s (neither divine nor decorative) local shopping centres.