Do you remember this delightful fascinator cap from Humble Bumble B we mentioned a few weeks ago? Cath wore it with much aplomb to our cousin's wedding. I can guarantee that she was the only one within 50 miles of Akron so attired.
John Singer Sargent's Madame X, and Cath in her fascinator, no-name dress, and Vera Wang shoes.
Cath bought this gorgeous dress (from the same cheesy/trashy store where I got my mondrian dress!) for about $25, with the fascinator in mind.
I didn't even recognize Cath's resemblance to Sargent's Madame X until I pulled the image into Photoshop today. It's hard to think "art! masterpiece!" when taking outfit photos in a Holiday Inn Express just north of Akron. But I'm pleased as punch that I can throw art history gibberish into our fashion blog again.
In Sargent's original portrait, Madame X's right strap was portrayed slipping off her shoulder. This was far too overt and scandalized the masses. Sargent eventually repainted the strap as you see here. Cath is obviously defying proper Victoriana decorum. Huzzah!
Madame X's presence on our blog is quite appropriate because Virginie Amélie Avegno Gautreau (i.e. Madame X) is from Louisiana- a true French Creole (Cath and I are technically French Creole, but AsianCreole doesn't trip off the tongue the same way). We would like to adopt this bold and daring lady as a long lost relative. Great-great-great-great-grandma X.
P.S. For those of you interested. The Mondrian Dress below is also available at F21 - thanks for the tip, Lala!
It definitely takes some boldness to pull of that cap- but she does perfectly! Great dress too!
ReplyDeleteI agree with above! Bravo for pulling off that hat. :)
ReplyDeleteI took a mini fashion risk recently. I thought I'd try something out of the ordinary with my hair, so I did something very unlike me. A bowl cut. This risk lasted until today, when I then asked my mom to fix it. Bowl cut goodbye, bob with bangs and layers hello. :)
The fascinator is too cute! And it goes so nicely with that dress. Loves!
ReplyDeleteshe looks absolutely fantastic!!! i wish i could pull off that look with such perfection and grace..
ReplyDelete-issa
Fantastic look ~ the dress and the cap are both wonderful.
ReplyDeletehey, i just found your blog. she looks great in the cap; i would never think to try and pull off something like that.
ReplyDeleteCath looks utterly fantastic. The fit on that dress is perfect, and the fascinator sets her apart. Well done, Cath!
ReplyDeleteGeeze, 40's Hollywood glamour queen feathers and sleek, Grecian style dresses! This is a downright goddessy post!
ReplyDeleteI love the dress. Looks super chic!
ReplyDeletefabulous! the dress is going in and out around your body in right places...
ReplyDeleteYou could go for a bigger feather to create more drama I recon.
Lovely. xxx
gorgeous dress! yay for akron photo shoots!
ReplyDeletehi you look amazing i bet you stand out in that dress-hat combo.
ReplyDeletevery european...i love if you check out my blog....
saludos from mexico
That dress is so fucking amazing. Why the hell aren't there cheesy/trashy stores for me. WHAT THE HELL, MAN.
ReplyDeleteAnd where is this F21 Mondrian dress...
Oh this look is so amazing! The hat really sets it off perfectly.
ReplyDeleteok i am in love with that dress. i need to get it right now. and it looks so great on you!!
ReplyDeleteHi there-Cath, you look absolutely gorgeous-this is a lovely dress and the fascinator compliments your outfit beautifully!!
ReplyDeleteThat hat is really cute. I love it.
ReplyDeletewow, i love it!!! cath, you look so so beautiful, and lar--i adore that you bring such culture to your blog! great job, ladies.
ReplyDeleteLove the fascinator and the whole outfit. It's wonderful and I think perfect for a wedding.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great outfit! I might like to try a little hat like that, but I'm not sure that I have enough hair to attach it to! The little hat reminds me a this woman, Kelsie, who is on Project Runway this season. She is a pretty young woman who looks like a 40s pinup model, and she wears these little hats, flowers and feathers on the side of her head. It realy looks great on some girls.
ReplyDeleteI love three things about this post: 1) the spectacular ensemble, 2) the art history gibberish, 3) the fact that the picture was taken in a Holiday Inn in Akron. Nice!
ReplyDeletei love the portrait... really.
ReplyDeleteand also your beautiful hat and your dress.
you look great :D
just LOVED.
ReplyDeleteLove the outfit!
ReplyDeleteI need to find feathers to stick on my cap too! & the dress is awesome! It reminds me of the amazing draped dresses Rami made in PR season 4!
ReplyDeleteHer dress is stunning, and I definetly wouldn't think you'd find such a thing in a trashy store. Love the comparison of the two lovely ladies. (Keep the art history coming!)
ReplyDeletewhat an incredible deal! looks absolutely fantastic, i love the draping.
ReplyDeleteI've always adored Sargent's Madame X, and this is a very great piece you've put together!
ReplyDeleteOh very elegant! The dress is so Grecian.
ReplyDeleteso savvy stylish. i want the dress now and buy a hat. maybe i can wear it going to the races this summer.
ReplyDeletethe headpiece looks stunning, and that's neat how you compared thedress to thepainting!
ReplyDeleteModernized Madame X... nice! The draping on the dress looks great and only $25?!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fabulous look!
ReplyDeleteso beautiful!!
ReplyDeleteHi girls!
ReplyDeleteI´m so bad at commenting. I love this dress, so unique! Hope you are well:)
Love Amie
♥
Actually that is a gorgeous dress on Cath. And for $25?
ReplyDeleteNormally, I don't like "busy" stuff on dresses but this one looks pretty nice. Maybe it's because of the muted blue color.
Very special hat.I like it a lot.
ReplyDeleteI love the cap. Very fashionable.Paula
ReplyDeleteLove the cap!!! "Madame X" always reminds me of "Moulin Rouge!" :-)
ReplyDeleteWow I love it! The dress, the fascinator...definitely something I would wear :)
ReplyDeleteI found out about Humble Bumble B a while ago through Threadbanger and used one of her items for a post I did about fascinators some time ago. She's really talented and her stuff is always so gorgeous!
ridiculously gorgeous and chic. Love it.
ReplyDeleteoooh that cap is amazing!!
ReplyDeleteand also that 'no named' dress!! - wonderful!
i work at that cheesy/trashy store!
ReplyDeletelol recognized the dress right away