Stoker

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Trying to choose between a multitude of possible Halloween costumes is never easy, particularly as it begins to exponentially increase in popularity throughout the Southern Hemisphere. A few days ago I styled up five quick & easy options for inspiration - click here for a trip down "Memory Lane" - but decided to save my personal favourite to wear to a "Spooktacular" party in the River City on Friday: an homage to one of my literary heroines, Wilhemina "Mina" Harker from Bram Stoker's Dracula; best friend of the hellion's first victim, Lucy Westenra, wife of Van Helsing accomplice Jonathan Harker & only woman to recover from the curse of the vampire's soporific bite...

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Dress: Laura Ashley poly-blend & chiffon

Cape: Reject Shop polyester

Booties: Emerson @ Big W suede platforms

Necklace: Prouds silver fob

Pendant: Gift, silver

Hinged Bangle: Gift, vintage 1940s silver

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Seeing as my costume is based on the original 1897 Gothic novel rather than one of the many film interpretations, I donned this decidedly Victorian style dress from Laura Ashley with its empire-line cut, wide scooped neckline, chiffon capped sleeves & under bust bow detail & pair of sky-high, closed-toed suede platforms by Emerson @ Big W to truly evoke the era. 

Jewellery choices kept the vibe strong: a chunky, heart-shaped necklace nestled on my decolletage & vintage, moulded fleur-de-lis hinged bangle... both made out of silver, which any horror buff knows is DEADLY to vampires, due to its origins as the "metal of choice" for religious relics & the mysticism surrounding its purported "lunar" associations in European folklore.

Finally, of course, there was the amazing black cape that I picked up for the princely sum of $3 at my local Reject Shop... Sure, Mina is eventually cured of the urge to stalk the living & drain them of their lifeblood but for a while there, it seemed as though she was pure vampire, possessed of the ability to transform into a bat & soar through the air under the cover of darkness...

Do you believe in destiny?

That even the powers of time can be altered for a single purpose?

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