Category Archive for Books + Magazines
FRIVOLOUS ROCOCO COURT FASHION: COSTUME HISTORY BOOK, MARIE ANTOINETTE WIG.
Aie, how irresponsible of me. Last month, I found a delightful fashion history tome in the library reference room. I took some snapshots, but neglected to write down the title… perhaps one of you might recognize the source? Even if not, keep the book comments coming and you can win Gothic garb from Evil Kitty.
This nameless encyclopedia covers court garments from King Tut to the Tudors and beyond. Naturally, I gravitated to the gigantic caricatures of Rococo frivolity. They remind us that the panniered ladies of Versailles were laughing at themselves; “Rococo included, almost from its inception, elements of irony and self-criticism.” (Revolution in Fashion: 1715-1815)
Marie Antoinette would be delighted with today’s Fruits and Kera street fashion. She’d build a “Little Harajuku” outside Versailles (complete with a reproduction of the infamous bridge); she’d import Goth Lolis, yamambas, and decoras; and she’d blow them all out of the water with her billowing sailboat hairdo.
Finally, here are some dashing Victorian dandies in Count Dracula capes, top hats, and buttoned waistcoats. I leave you with a wistful quote from Revolution in Fashion: “It was a time when people relished a certain joie de vivre, engaged in witty conversation, and danced graceful minuets.” Le sigh!
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JAPANESE DIY CRAFT BOOKS: SOCK AND GLOVE, AMIGURUMI TINY YARN KNIT ANIMALS.
He looks like a fuzzy angel… but boy, can he ever whine when he wants snacks or attention! I’ll never let go of Basil Farrow, but you can still enter to win a red hoody or T-shirt from Evil Kitty. Simply tell me about one of your favorite books in the comments. On Sunday, my foldy-eared son will pick the winner with his chubby feet. (Speaking of kawaii – isn’t Evil Kitty’s limited edition sterling silver pendant devilishly cute? )
One of my favorite scenes from Kamikaze Girls is where the Rococo ladies and gentlemen sit around making embroidery. I also love Momoko’s stitching frenzy that causes her to collapse from exhaustion. (Aie, I’ve been there…) Most of my DIY endeavors come out of my head, but I’ve been strongly inspired by Japanese kawaii crafts. Two books in this vein were released by Penguin USA, my publisher for Cooking Cute.
Miyako Kanomori’s Sock and Glove was originally printed in Japanese, and it’s one of the most darling and original books… ever! Her stuffed animal cuties started out as discarded socks, gloves, and mittens. They’re quick to make (with needle and thread) and endlessly personalizable; just check out the variations in this Flickr pool.
Aren’t you dying to adopt one of these little guys?
Last week, Penguin released Tiny Yarn Animals by Tamie Snow. The book riffs on the Japanese art of amigurumi, or knit/crocheted adorable creatures. I haven’t picked up a crochet hook in a long time, but luckily, these whimsical friends require only basic stitches.
What are some books on your must-read list? Comment and you might win a prize!
LA CARMINA
