The Pre-raphaelite Fascination

Preraphaelite art has always held an irresistible charm for us at Wild Rose and Sparrow. The luminous colours, the petal-light, flowing fabrics and mythological themes transport us to other worlds filled with ethereal beauty and forlorn, forgotten places.

Peopled with lithe nymphs, tragic heroines, powerful enchantresses and beguiling sirens, preraphaelite art transcends the everyday world and draws on the literature and poems of Romantic authors, as well as greek and roman myths for its themes. For the first time in European art, women were being viewed as strong and as the wielders of their own destinies.

This pre-raphaelite fascination has translated to our world in flower-strewn hairclips, delicate, graceful scarves and rich, saturated fabrics that have all of the rustle and texture of a J.W.Waterhouse painting.

What art movement do you think would make a good fashion trend? Leave us your response in the comments box.

Austen-tacious: Regency Strikes Back

The delicacy of lace billowing in the wind, the sound of silk rippling on strolls across peaceful country estates… these are symbols of a world that now exists only in books, a society that adhered to a system of chivalry and raffinement, and a time that ran more leisurely than our modern day frenetic sprint.

Some of that charm has returned to the 21^st century. Bodices lined with buttons, delicate embroideries, layers of lace and tulle are all returning: reminders of simpler times, where days ran slowly and were dedicated to the enjoyment of life.

The runway has witnessed the return of Regency: in Marc Jacobs' latest show, he had the surprising and quirky inspiration to revive "bloomers": knee length flared pants worn underneath skirts. He did this for aesthetic purposes, but the pretty practicality of it can be made part of your everyday, from bike rides to trekking the world on countless railroads.

Of course, modernity always leaves its mark. Gone is the time to latch on over twenty buttons and lace up a multitude of ribbons: now zippers take their place and the buttons and ribbons are purely ornamental, little luxuries in a world that prizes efficiency over whimsicality.

the Rose

P.S. In the comments box, let us know! What time period do you wish you could travel to?