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givenchyic · 4 years

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It probably won’t come as a surprise that since I have been writing for the wonderful antique and vintage jewellery company Lillicoco, I have become more than just a little bit obsessed with jewellery

I mean, it was going to happen at some point. Jewellery is, of course, the finishing touch of an outfit and another elegant way you can show your personal style.

Not to mention, since writing about jewellery has become my main financial source for my livelihood, I have become drunk on the knowledge – and trust me, there are lots. I could probably wax lyrical about how cool antique jewellery is, a far cry from any fussy associations and misconceptions people have.

But it has meant that I appreciate jewellery more than I ever have, and have been inevitably drawn towards numerous jewellery brands.

A point of interest that has developed within me in that last year or so is an interest in the classical world of the Romans and Greeks. That interest admittedly was always there, but I have nourished this fascinating past more in my spare time. And, do you know who also loved these ancient societies and as a result created a bunch of jewellery using ancient techniques, motifs and styles – the Victorians. In fact, in July or August, I am planning on exploring this further on the Lillicoco blog so I will spare you with that incessant babble… for now. But, below are my five favourite current jewellery brands which, coincidentally, have clearly taken design inspiration from ancient civilisations, societies that continue to seduce us with their captivating mythologies and omnipotent symbolism.

Hermina Athens

Stocked at Liberty and Co, Hermina Athens is a Greek jewellery brand creating timeless pieces that pay homage to Greece’s rich mythological and artistic heritage. From bejewelled medallion necklaces to shimmering plump baroque pearl earrings and Gold portraits of Goddesses, each piece is the perfect combination of a refined and polished look with the honesty and heart of handcrafted jewellery.

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I first came across Hermina Athens through the wonderful world of Instagram explore. Captivated by their necklaces, bracelets and earrings, (not to mention they sell really cute bags too!), I was instantly transported to the cerulean waters and frothy sand beaches of the Greek islands.

I was lucky enough that I received one of their stunning pieces for my birthday this year from my dad! When he asked me what jewellery brands I liked prior to the big day, this one was the first I sent. I received the gorgeous Kressida pendant, which takes its origins from traditional ancient talismans. It wasn’t just the pendant that was gorgeous, but the lilac and blue packaging too was for me, a match made in heaven.

The Boutique Minimaliste

For me, there is nothing better than pieces that look expensive but are seriously affordable, and the Boutique Minimaliste does just that. Championed by style influencer Lorna Luxe (who I do inevitably plan on doing a “how to dress” like her blog post similar to my Jeanne Damas one), these pieces perfectly encapsulate the sensibilities of the modern woman.

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Based in Lisbon, the brand focuses on creating jewellery that fuses the sleek aesthetic of geometry with the raw powers of nature. Oozing sophistication, each piece is infinitely wearable, adding a glowing touch to both a starchy white shirt or laissez-faire t-shirt.

One of the things that I love the most is that they have included an abundance of shells and baroque pearls into their creations too. Which not only celebrates mother nature’s talents but also it means that each piece will inevitably be unique in its own way.

Manom Jewellery

Fierce and whimsical, Manom jewellery instantly evokes ethereal wonderlands and magical dreamscapes. Created by Japanese jewellery designer Mayo in her South London studio, Manom jewellery castes romantic narrative in Gold and Silver plated enamelled designs.

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Since I love enchanting fairytales and magical realism, Manom’s creations speak to me quite literally on another plain. I long to feel the gracious Moon hoops swinging on my earlobes (also adorned by Kate Moss no less) and the sweet animal pendants are just the right amount of kitschy cuteness.

Also, as an antique jewellery aficionado, the Georgian and Victorian motifs like Lover’s Eye Jewellery is present in her Journey to Yoghulherp Forest collection.

All in all, the perfect way to add a touch of magic to your everyday wear.

Aglihieri

I love it when brands have genuine stories and inspirations behind their craftsmanship, especially ones of literary and artistic meaning. This next brand, Aglihieri, does just that.

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Founded in 2014, Aglihieri aims to create timeless modern heirlooms that can easily be passed from mother to daughter or father to son. Created in London’s Hattan Garden, the jewellery is inspired by Dante’s Aglihieri “Divine Comedy” an epic 14th-century poem exploring the realms of the afterlife in Catholic Europe. Plus, and a major plus in my eyes, during Covid-19 they are donating 10% of their profits to Refuge, a domestic abuse charity.

From haunty chunky signet rings to abstract molten gold, these pieces are incredibly animated, vibrant and esoteric, giving us a rare glimpse into Dante’s mind.

Wolf and Gypsy

Launched in 2018, Wolf and Gypsy was created to make fine modern-day affordable heirlooms crafted from Sterling Silver, 14ct Gold and semi-precious gemstones. Featuring staples like coin medallions, t-bars, and dainty charms, these necklaces are the perfect accessory for both work and play.

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Like the other jewellery brands in this curation, it’s hard not to see the Etruscan, Hellenistic and ancient Egyptian influences from the bust of Nefertiti pendant to a saturated Lapis Lazuli hugged by Gold Vermeil. When choosing a pendant, you can also choose a designed chain length too, so you can easily create a layered necklace look.

What’s more, their pretty collection of earrings are designed for multiple pierced ears, so like their necklaces, you can adorn and accessorise yourself to your heart’s content.

If you like to see more of my jewellery loves and my personal affections for everything sparkly, check out my “Little Things” Pinterest board!

Thank you for reading!

Molly x

Five Jewellery Brands I Just Can’t Stop Thinking About It probably won’t come as a surprise that since I have been writing for the wonderful antique and vintage jewellery company Lillicoco, I have become more than just a little bit obsessed with jewellery…

#aglihierijewellery #bloggerstyle #boutiqueminimaliste #bristolblogger #fashionblogger #goldjewellery #herminaathens #jewellery #jewelleryblog #jewellerybrands #manomjewellery #wolfandgyspy

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givenchyic · 4 years

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From the slick of her rose-coloured lipstick to insouciant flick of her unruly brunette hair, Jeanne Damas retains a quiet cool Parisian commanding presence on social media. The owner of French clothes brand Rouje, Damas’s effortless looks epitomises the laissez-faire French girl style that we all would dream of emulating.

Damas’s dress sensibilities are a perfectly curated Pinterest board, equivocal of spring. Delicate frothy knits, abstract florals, and the meshing of a subdued pale palette with a bright touch here and there, makes her style stick out on Instagram.

Damas’s look is the combination of vintage finds with both designer and high street labels. Resonating with an increasing follower base of 1.3 million followers, Damas’s world wraps us in a lilac petal-kissed, crunchy french bread damask, a comforting and lighthearted presence amidst the drivels of lockdown. Yet, it’s not just her style itself that makes Damas so alluring and popular, it’s that her style seems accessible to all.

If you, like me, want to dress like Damas, below I have selected more than just a few pieces that I think she would have more than just a penchant for.

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Or, of course, you could just save yourself the trouble and pop over to Rouje instead!

A french rose amidst a field of wildflowers, Damas’s presence has cemented herself as a style influencer for the century.

And oh my god do I want to get a fringe.

How to Dress Like Jeanne Damas From the slick of her rose-coloured lipstick to insouciant flick of her unruly brunette hair, Jeanne Damas…

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givenchyic · 4 years

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Be extra. Enjoy things and show it. Stop apologizing for it.

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givenchyic · 4 years

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It is no secret that reading is highly subjective, but that doesn’t rid it from biases.

Writers – especially women: Don’t let anyone sneer at you for writing “fluff.” Fluff is an insulator. Correctly used, it can stop you from freezing, or burning to death. Fluff fiction is designed to protect you from the relentless toxicity of the real world. Fluff saves lives.

— Joanne Harris (@Joannechocolat) January 8, 2020

Never not thinking about the grace of this reply from @MarianKeyes for @guardian about the idea of shame surrounding literature pic.twitter.com/ownskfJfPC

— Pandora Sykes (@PINsykes) May 6, 2020

What, for you, determines a book you want to read? Is it an acclaimed author, a particular genre, a recommendation from a friend or a book shop, or is it the accolade of prizes it has been shortlisted or awarded?

“Fluffy” literature fits into all of these frames, so why is it looked down upon? What even makes a good book “good”?

For me, generally, I define “fluffy” literature as often romance serialised novels that provide a strong degree of escapism. These types of novels are often viewed as “silly” or “fantastical”. A few examples are:

E.L James – Fifty Shades of Grey Franchise

Mills and Boon Novels

Bridget Jones Franchise

Novels that have cover designs like these below:

Yet, this definition comes with multiple caveats and cachés, “fluffy” literature could also largely be written from a women’s standpoint, it could be set within a young adult dystopian world, or it could be set within our own ordinary everyday timeframe.

“Fluff” in fiction itself is a pejorative connotation, often referring to written elements of the story, like elaborate and hyperbolic description, that doesn’t serve the development of the overall plot. Yet, this just generally makes it seem like reading is a means to an end, rather than enjoying the act of reading itself.

What we perceive as high vs low is constantly changing. For example, Charles Dickens is today perceived as ‘high fiction’, but during his time he was actually writing serialised fiction for the masses. What’s more, as he originated from a working-class poor background, this also affected how people viewed him at the time.

“High” fiction could also have a plethora of terms and connotations. Most of the time, I view high fiction to be classical literature, books that have won multiple awards, and books that are being recommended to you at every twist and turn (like Sally Rooney’s Normal People!). However, unlike the latter, a lot of people feel disengaged from classical literature, and it can also be argued that classical authors like Jane Austen adhere to many of the “fluffy” literature tropes.

It cannot be denied that fluffy literature can have an engaging plot, making you hold the pages tight between your fingertips. Whether you are reading it on holiday or at home, fluffy literature can hold you in its grasp like a crime, dystopian or fantasy novel. Soon the pages will curl from the hot condensation as you read it in the bath, or the spine will crackle in the heat from hours reading on a sunlounger. Yet fluffy literature is so often disregarded, sometimes given measly one-star, two-star reviews. And even if it did get a five-star review, it would be placed in the realm of women’s fiction, women’s reading. Because, of course, the only books worth caring about are ones that are written for men.

I have been thinking about this for a while, about how the books that are deemed “womanly” are not equal to others, even if they are beautifully written with intricate plots.

I often find myself confronted with my own ‘womanliness’ when wanting to read these books, and struggle with overcoming the negative stereotypes society has placed upon them as lesser literature; this is exacerbated by feelings that I should be reading from the higher echelons of accepted literature, especially because I have an English literature degree from a Russell Group University.

I not only like reading these books, but I’m tired of the negative snobbery surrounding them. On a micro-scale, it is dismissive of this style of literature, but on a macro-scale, it discourages the act of reading for pleasure.

In fact, a few of the narratives of fluffy literature is no different to many of the plot lines within revered classical fiction. Take Jane Austen Pride and Prejudice and Helen Fielding’s Bridget Jones Diary, they mirror each other in so many ways. But Pride and Prejudice is considered a must, whereas Bridget Jones, an icon in its own right, isn’t pushed onto young men and women in the same way.

As a culture, we are reading far less than we used too, and discouraging people from reading just because of their book choices is completely alien to me.

The act of reading in itself is freeing, but reading for pleasure is tight in the grips of criticism. We are now, more than ever, scrutinised for our hobbies, and what we devote our time to is apparently indicative of our personality and our intelligence.

I remember the first time I felt misled for some of the books I chose to read. I had chosen to do 16th-century A-Level History because I had enjoyed reading Phillippa Gregory’s various novels on the Wars of the Roses and Tudor Queens, each written from a woman’s perspective.

On the first day of teaching, we had to inform our teacher as to why we had chosen 16th-century history. My history teacher scoffed at me, saying that these novels were largely false and nothing in them was accurate. Not only did this make me feel inadequate for my choice in literature, but my reasoning seemingly paled in comparison to my friend who then pronounced she had been reading Machiavelli’s ‘The Prince’. I know that in the historical novel genre circles Gregory is looked down on more than others because she engaged with the “fluff” per se, and she extensively has used her artistic license rather than her historical one. But, isn’t it more important that her books got me interested in this period of history? That it fed an appetite that I didn’t know I had and encouraged me to learn more?

However, as the year progressed, I couldn’t help but notice something. At this point, EVERYONE was talking about the explosion of Game of Thrones. Perhaps now regarded as a bastion for the fantasy genre, sitting amongst Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter, Game of Thrones captivated a global legion of fans. Yet if you dismiss the TV show (which I digress I am a fan of) and if you look at the historical inspiration of the Wars of the Roses, the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, a time period that George R.R Martin has stated inspired him, is Game of Thrones really any different from Phillippa Gregory’s The White Queen or The Other Boleyn Girl?

Yes, those who are die-hard Game of Thrones fans are likely going to balk at that statement especially if they are dismissive of Gregory’s books. I don’t deny that both of the Game of Thrones books and series were incredible with their visceral raw depictions of a meticulously thought out society. But, amongst all of the fanfare, those who were reading Game of Thrones weren’t made to feel as if they were dumb or had a lower IQ because of the books they had chosen to read, whereas, I think, the same couldn’t be said for Gregory’s readers.

These thoughts had been cooking in my mind for many years, floating about like hot stewed dumplings, simmering, boiling and cooling, until I saw the tweet from Joanne Harris, the award-winning author of Chocolat in January and recently, I saw the tweet from Pandora Sykes about Marian Keyes.

“Fluff is an insulator” Harris writes, a distraction away from the ordeals of everyday life. And now, with everything, (and ‘everything’ itself is a loaded word) isn’t that just true? But regardless, Harris makes an astute point also “especially women”.

And, it is women isn’t it?

It is no secret that history is patriarchal, written about men by men, and the history of the novel itself is no different. The history of the novel as we know it ignores the genuine importance of both women writers and readers. In fact, novels were pretty much invented for women, and in the Victorian period, fiction novels were largely written by women for other women. Yet, the patriarchy did want some control. They feared that women would get fancy “ideas” from the books that they were reading, so certain themes were encouraged like romance and domestic discourse. However, the themes they wanted to contain and control women with, were also the themes that they soon dismissed. Soon, the ideas of reading and writing became entrenched within the world of men, which meant that for women writers to be taken seriously in literature circles they had to adopt male pseudonyms.

In fact today, some women still write with male pseudonyms, J.K Rowling is an obvious example. Common discourse seems to be to look back and praise these women for their ‘bravery’ in overcoming their restrictions and falsifying themselves, yet when this practice is still being employed today, it is clear that these constraints are yet to be dismantled.

Another case study that I put forward is Mills and Boon. Founded in 1908, Mills and Boon were known for making “escapist” fiction for women in the 1930s. Considered “low brow” and “formulaic” in its iterations of a similar romantic narrative arc where the woman is submissive to the man, it was believed to play to women’s inner fantasies. Mills and Boon were widely successful because they provided escapism during the Depression years, and most importantly they were read by women of all backgrounds. What’s more, today they still attract three million readers in the UK. Now, whilst the dominant alpha male and submissive women rhetoric is problematic in their own right, it’s also the denouncement of some novels as “low brow” and reserved for only women is another problem that people overlook. I find the word “low brow” offensive to not only women but also working-class women too. I think it is assumed that people from lower classes are not only interested in reading “low brow” fiction, but also that it is the only type of fiction they can “access”, yet “low brow” fiction is also criticised in itself.

Reading is and always will be a tool for pleasure, but also no matter how escapist or fluffed out a novel is, it always will be a tool for education. The allusion to romantic liaisons or the meticulous details about the buttons and folds of a woman’s dress can open up a reader to a wider vocabulary or teach them more about romantic relationships. You shouldn’t just be recommending the classical giants or booker prize-winning authors, you should be recommending readers of all ages, genders and backgrounds. Not to mention that fluffy literature isn’t just for women, men might want to read it too.

All in all, A novel can still be a good novel if it doesn’t give a veiled critique on society or written in elevated language and syntax. In fact, I think the disregard of this said novel is more revealing of society’s inner prejudices against class and women as a whole.

The Defense of [Writing or Reading] Fluffy Literature It is no secret that reading is highly subjective, but that doesn’t rid it from biases.

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givenchyic · 4 years

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Repeat after me, “You Can Never Be Overdressed Or Overeducated”, thank you Oscar Wilde. This quote is certainly true no matter the occasion, yet it does resonate in the time of quarantine and might bring you a dosage of comfort. This time is, to put it bluntly, a ‘kick you in the crotch spit on your neck fantastic moment’. Never thought I would combine a quote from Rachel Green with Oscar Wilde but here we are!

If like me, you love to vicariously live your life for a few days through prettily designed Pinterest quotes from dead famous people, then this one is perfect. Whether it’s dressing up in your finest and putting makeup on for dinner, or subscribing to a myriad of online courses and panic-ordering books on Amazon (because truly how long will this last for?) this quote can motivate you to boost both your mood and your brain.

Occasion wear is the new stay-in wear, how to be the best dressed in your living room

Truthfully, I am a little bit bored with fast fashion’s disingenuous attempt to shove loungewear down our throats. For instance, these are a few email subject lines and opening sentences I have received in the past few weeks:

“New Season Loungewear BACK IN STOCK”

“Cozy things From £5” – Facetime your girls, eat tacos in bed and play your records from start to finish.

“Welcome to the loungewear appreciation club”

“Latest in loungewear”

“Next level loungewear”

Okay, we are stuck at home, stop infiltrating my social media cookies.

But, I also get it, you also want to look chic and you want to be comfortable whilst.. well… lounging. With this in mind, I have compiled a few different moods and faux scenarios for you with clothes to match. Truthfully, other than work, I have nothing better to do, so my imagination has run wild!

Perhaps the most annoying thing that I find with this fast fashion loungewear is the use of unsustainable fabrics and repetitive styles quickly regurgitated to satisfy our insatiable demand. Now, I’m not saying that these clothes picks below contain sustainable fabrics, yet I think that they are way more wearable than said loungewear. These pieces are different as you can easily wear them after lockdown ends. Polyester, Acrylic and Nylon knitwear will inevitably shrink in the wash or will be peppered with splashes of hot tomato pasta sauce after precariously trying to eat your dinner on the sofa. Then, it will just end up in the bin and clog up landfill sites in the UK and overseas for hundreds and thousands of years.

The point is, as sometimes sustainable isn’t necessarily the most affordable, buy pieces that you know you will wear again and again, that like us have a life after lockdown (because that day will come!)

Choose silhouettes that emphasise comfort but also that are more sophisticated. From oversized shirts to palazzo pants and silky dressing gowns, I have selected smart stay in wear that will elevate your wardrobe.

So, although this lockdown may last for a while, don’t let your impact on this earth last longer!

For The Ordinary AHA 30% Skin Peel and Bowl of Pasta Wear

There is nothing quite as calming as a hot bath on a Sunday evening followed by a bowl of pasta the size of your head and a skincare routine. If you are becoming a derma baby, and you want to indulge in that vision of preening yourself in front of an immaculate glamorous vintage vanity set then this lockdown look is perfect: A chic soft and silky dressing gown.

I am biased, but One Hundred Stars do the best gowns! From delicate chinoiserie to botanical floral and vintage maps of your favourite cities, these delightful gowns are made out of the softest fabric, a combination of Modal and Viscose. I often wear my dressing gown just around the house anyway, and last summer I wore it with black trousers and a black rollneck to work or thrown over a bikini!

Linen gowns are also a great choice for the warmer weather, and this H&M Conscious collection piece promises sustainable sleepwear that soothes both you and the earth.

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Night On The Sofa and Glass of Pale Rosé In Hand Wear:

Oversized linen and cotton shirts are a must for sophisticated soporific wear.I dream about pairing these cool, calm and collected shirts with darted wide-leg trousers, palazzo pants and, when the sun comes out, satin slip bias mini skirts. The sharp tailored pleats of the trousers, and the slick derriere skimming of the bias cut will provide the perfect contrast to the slouchy tucked or untucked shirt.

For the finishing final touches, accessorise with bright yellow Gold chains, baroque pearls and satisfying slick of red lipstick.

When choosing colour palettes for an overall ensemble, go for graduated tones of ecru, creams, beiges, greyages and latte. These will effortlessly melt and ooze together.

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For Pacing Around Your Apartment Whilst On the Phone to Your Boss Wear:

I never have been one for sliders, but since spending all my time at home, I have come to appreciate the need for “house shoes”. As heady sun-drenched living rooms become the norm, slippers constitute sweaty and clammy toes – not the nicest. But if, like me, you have an affliction with your toesies being out all the time, comfortable sandals like these fluffy ugg sandals will keep you perusing around your home with ease. Available in a variety of cutesy pastel colours, these sandals are worth every penny.

For the Easy Mornings and Luxurious Nights

For me, a slip dress is ubiquitous with both comfort and luxury, two concepts that often go hand in hand or can be worlds apart.

The greatness of a slip dress is in the name itself, the way they just slip over your head and shoulders with ease. Plus, the way they are cut can accentuate your body and make you instantly feel good in yourself – what’s not to love? The lighter materials too are currently perfect for lockdown, keeping you cool in the warmer climates.

Although I am partial to cowl neck, I feel they have been slightly overdone. So, I think a deep v neck slip dress is equally as flattering and infinitely wearable.

The sweet cornflower blue of this Urban outfitters slip dress gives you a renewed sense of optimism and tranquility, and the lime hue is also perfect for dancing the night away with its zeal and fresh colour. What’s more, the chocolate brown option can easily transcend into autumn and winter

(When editing this piece I also found this slip dress in a pretty oyster shade too – a gift that just keeps on giving.)

This selection below from Pretty Lavish are also all great choices. The satin Piper maxi dresses are exceptionally elegant, yet they dance on the fine line of formal and smart casual. The tie-dye print of the apricot number invites flat sandals, and the cool mint hue of the other dress means you can easily wear her, at the discretion of your own confidence, in the day.

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Online courses for pointless knowledge, career-boosting strategies or to learn for the sake of learning

So, I have been purposefully stringent in choosing clothes for this blog post, and believe me, it was hard. The reason why is because the second half is dedicated to learning – yes, learning.

I miss learning, I really do. I have always had a curious mind, divulging daily in documentaries, reading books or following history accounts on twitter just because I like a random fact popping up on my timeline. I enjoyed the large majority of my lectures, and for the most part, reading for essays at university (I found the writing really hard and abhorred it, but you can find out more about that in this blog post!).

Quarantine has made me think, okay how can I direct my energy into learning something new – whether its just pointless facts or it can strengthen my career. Because truthfully in future interviews, I might be asked what I like to do in my spare time, and drinking glasses of wine with friends and boyfriend might not cut the mustard.

I have recently started doing this Museum of Modern Art: Fashion as Design course which is super duper interesting. I’m only on week 3, but the course explores a 2017 exhibition of theirs called ‘Is Fashion Modern’ looking at staple garments like the plain white t-shirt or Nike Air force 1’s and looking at how these garments have made their cultural stamp and their history.

So, I have searched on Future Learn to find other free online courses that I am interested in and have shared them below in case they pique anyone’s interest. The online art platform Artsy has also written: “10 Art History Classes You Can Take Online For Free” .

Start Writing Fiction

A History of Royal Fashion

Understanding Fashion: From Business to Culture

Fashion and Sustainability: Understanding Luxury Fashion in a Changing World

Propaganda and Ideology in Everyday Life

Many Faces: Understanding the Complexities of Chinese Culture

Introduction to Japanese Sub Cultures

Designing a Feminist Chatbot

Thank you for reading,

Molly x

“You Can Never Be Overdressed or Overeducated” The Quarantine Mantra Repeat after me, “You Can Never Be Overdressed Or Overeducated”, thank you Oscar Wilde. This quote is certainly true no matter the occasion, yet it does resonate in the time of quarantine and might bring you a dosage of comfort.

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