The Ornamented Being

“A lock of the queen’s hair is preserved within a mourning brooch at Musee Carnavalet. Mourning jewelry, popular hundreds of years ago, were used to signify mourning for the loss of a loved one. Oftentimes, mourning jewelry was given as a gift, to show sympathy or to pay tribute to the deceased. The relative or friend would wear a cameo type brooch or a ring with a lock of the deceased’s hair within it. The hair preserved in the brooch at Musee Carnavalet is thick and of a reddish-blonde hue. It is curled around, forming a perfect loop. As I stood looking at the tiny, perfect loop of hair, I could easily imagine Marie Antoinette self consciously pulling the widow’s cap from her head. I could see her thick hair spilling down her back, like a cascade of liquid gold. I imagined the shiver that ran down her spine as the executioner lifted her heavy locks and roughly sheared them off her head. I wondered what she felt as she was made bald. Did she stand with her eyes downcast, watching the ringlets float fall to the ground and pile up around her? Did she, perhaps, kick a few errant strands off her plum colored shoes?  Or, did she stand with resolute pride? Did she keep her eyes focused forward, projecting herself through the block wall and into a happier time and place? 

It was interesting to view Marie Antoinette’s hair. Numerous authors have written about Marie Antoinette’s hair loss before her execution. They have stated her hair turned gray “nearly overnight.” The hair I saw was thick and far from gray. ”

I found that quote on a ladies blog and emailed it to myself (and now I can’t find the blog) but I found that to be one of the most beautiful things I’ve read about Marie in a very long time. 

Marie Antoinette; Queen of France; Vienna 2.11.1755-Paris (executed) 16.10.1793.-Locket with miniature portrait by Charles-Henri Desfossez (1764-1809) and lock of hair of the queen.-Undated. Private collection.

I did this shoot about a year ago (funny how you come across the photos you wish the photographer would have given you a year ago -__-) It’s actually weird to be searching a site and randomly find my photos on it. ANyway I wanted to be a female pierrot but it ended up being influenced by Herr Drosselmeyer’s Doll (Abney Park) particularly this line:  ”There she is on the stage. Spinning as she sprawls. Thank God the curtains fall.”

*massive nosebleed*

I swear to God I am in love. 

WHY WAS I NOT ALIVE IN THE 60’S?

anyone else think Robert Plant looks like Armand from the Queen of the Damned?

fripperiesandfobs:

From the “Fashioning Fashion” exhibit at LACMA.

I just found fripperiesandfobs and I LOVE it! We wish to see more! 

Also, incase you haven’t checked lately the KCI updated their archives! Click the picture to go!