Wedding Dresses 1775-2014 & Horst: Photographer of Style: V&A Exhibitions

So I was recently made redundant *sympathy please* and in between hunting high and low for a job, I've also had some time to myself. Where I had been so busy working I had rather neglected one of my most favourite past times: visiting my favourite museums. So, whilst searching for a job I have also been dashing off to the V&A and the Tate to get back into being creative. Up first is my post on the Victoria and Albert Museum:

Wedding Dresses 1775-2014

 

Another Friday night spent at the Victoria and Albert Museum gushing over magical wedding dresses at the Wedding Dress Exhibition, and perusing vintage Vogue covers at the Horst Photography Exhibition. 

Honestly it's so nice to spend an evening at the museum. Before I met with my Aunty for the two exhibitions I had time to wonder round the museum, happily snapping away at marble Statues, mosaic tiles and historic furniture.

The wedding dress exhibition blew me away! Such stunning dresses including KATE MOSS' which I have to say was my favourite of the collection - the sequin embroidery of peacock feathers in the feathery trail was just exquisite and honestly I would go again to this exhibition just to see THAT dress again. It is so interesting how the wedding dress has evolved over time, and I have to admit there were a few that had me questioning the brides taste slightly, but there were those that stunned.

 

It's such a shame that the exhibitions do not allow you to take photos of your favourite dresses, and the shop was surprisingly lacking in the wedding dress postcards (and those that were there were my least favourite *boohoo*) but I did find pictures of quite a few of the wedding dresses pinned to the Victoria and Albert Pinterest. So here are just a few of my favourites:

 

Horst: Photographer of Style: V&A Exhibitions

 

After perusing the wedding dresses and rating them out of ten, my Aunt and I then went to the Horst exhibition. I've got to admit, I had never heard of the name Horst before, but as soon as I stepped into the exhibit room, I found I was familiar with quite a lot of his work. From celebrity portraits (of the likes of Coco Chanel, Marlene Dietrich, and Jacqueline Kennedy) to vintage Vogue covers and abstract art, Horst has literally snapped his way through some of my favourite decades. I spent the whole exhibition ashamed that I hadn't realised who he was, and can now class him as one of my favourite photographers (alongside John French, Annie Leibovitz and Tim Walker - I feel post coming along?). I absolutely love the colours he uses in his fashion photography and I'm considering getting a few framed for my bedroom! Just look at some of his work - images from the V&A Pinterest Page:

 

 

..and look how beautiful the V&A courtyard is!...

 

 

 xxx Lucy xxx

La Lavandou Diaries Part Deux.

Monday 8th September

 

St Tropez. The most beautiful drive through the hills (thought we were going over the edge a few times) into St Tropez - which, though it sounds rather suave, it's not actually the most exciting place if your a peasant like me, actually it's like torture. I cried walking past Louis Vuitton (not before getting a good look at a beautiful pair of black suede heels in the window), stopped and stared at the door of Dolce & Gabbana and pointed towards a bag I blogged about a few weeks ago -I thought if I pointed and stared long enough some billionaire would take pity on me and buy it - didn't happen :(.

 

The closest I came to the bag was my Granddad taking a picture for me. I mean, it's a good picture, but it's not quite the same is it? And then my Pa made me close my eyes, led me across the road and planted me in front of the entrance to a Dior restaurant. DIOR RESTAURANT.

Any normal Father would at this moment BUY something from Dior for his daughter right? Yeah, well, not this one ;) JOKE. But seriously, if anyone has a few coins spare please give to me and I'll add it to my 'never in a million years but you can try' Dior fund.

 

I spent the majority of our trip to St Tropez picking out what posh yacht I'd have if I was rich, hunting for single Billionaires to marry (or rob if they're too old haha), laughing at a few of the botched up Botox and plastic surgery jobs and coveting anything of a designer brand.

 

I could however, afford a cute little box of Lauderee Macaron's (I was mostly drawn to them because of the pretty packaging) and tasting them became a bit of a laugh with Sophie (pictured below ).

 

Tuesday 9th September

 

Wednesday 10th September



Fig, Parma Ham, Lettuce - SOOO good!

Thursday 11th September

 

 Fin

 

And now I'm back at home, drinking tea, looking for a job, and wishing I was back in France! But a quick trip to Kew Gardens to see the sweet smelling roses and getting some good photo's wasn't too bad I suppose!

 

 



La Lavandou Diaries Part Un.

 Sunday 30th August

 

 

Monday 1st September

1 day into my holiday and I have a ridiculous amount of boat photos already. Like, I'm seriously obsessed with them. If anyone's out there reading this (that's a miracle in itself) and happens to have enough money to buy me a boat, my contact details can be located on my About page. You think I'm joking, but I'm not. Really I'm not.

Also, I'm obsessed with these shades of blue. Deep, dark and intense midnights, sapphire's, cobalt's and azure's. And I love how the sea gets lost in the skyline. Nothing beats the sound of waves rolling into shore, the sand beneath fizzing against the white crest of the waves. Why I don't live by the sea is beyond me. If you're rich enough to buy me a boat, why not throw in a seaside cottage too?

 

Tuesday 2nd September

 



 Wednesday 3rd September

So today we found the cutest little town, at the top of a hill in the valleys - Bormes les Mimosas, which is just above La Lavandou. I've decided I want to move here... actually I've decided the house I'm going to live in too (last picture below) but to be honest I'm not sure I'll ever find it again in the maze of cobbled lanes and cottages. Sooooo beautiful. Arty shops (I bought a lovely mint green basket for beach trips), pretty restaurants with patios overlooking the hills and STUNNING doors. I've taken so many photos of doors already that they are going to need their very own post. But honestly, I absolutely adored the peace and quiet of the lanes and I wish I could stay here.

 

Thursday 4th September

A little cruise around the beaches.