Wuthering Heights

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Dress: Anthea Crawford stretch jersey & organza; beaded grosgrain belt

Cape: Gift, feathers & velvet

Heels: Emerson @ Big W patent

Bag: Vera May leather & marble with silver hardware

Cuff: St Paul's Cathedral Gift Shop silver

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Sharing pictures of the outfit I donned to attend a recent stage performance of "Wuthering Heights" at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre - or QPAC for those who love an acronym (I don't). Emily Bronte's 1847 Gothic tale of twisted, all-consuming love that transcends death into eternity was given a modern overhaul by shake & stir theatre company but (thankfully for this ardent fan) retained the savagery & turmoil of the tragic yet brutal Heathcliff & vain, cruel Catherine Earnshaw as well as the stark spectre of the Yorkshire Moors in the staging, lighting & costumes... the latter reimagined by the supremely-talented Leigh Buchanan, a veritable "hometown hero" around these parts...

But I digress.

Such an intense tale required a look to match & this "symphony in black" by Anthea Crawford was the ideal place to begin. The dress itself is a fit-to-flare design with textured stretch jersey bodice & floaty "mullet" skirt (shorter at the front, longer at the back) made from swathes of organza & cinched at the waist with a sparkly beaded belt made from grosgrain ribbon that ties in a bow at the back.

Winter temperatures meant that the dress couldn't possibly be worn all on its lonesome (I'm not a big believer in suffering for fashion, unless we're talking about shoes) so the gorgeous feather cape that was gifted to me by a dear friend's mother - worn at a recent gala event - was the perfect choice to ward off the chill. What's more, the black, charcoal & dark green ombre effect of the feathers really made the LBD below "pop!" Keep scrolling to see what I mean...

When it came to footwear, these shiny black patent platforms from Emerson at Big W added height... & kept my toes warm at the same time. Under $20, the cost per wear has been pretty much negligible; needless to say they are one of my BEST EVER buys. All that was required then was to add a matching art deco style black patent handbag with marbled front panel detail (picked up a few years ago now at Simona Ricci/Bare Traps on a shopping trip with my mother) & it was time to go. 

Well, not quite. I still had to add one finishing touch: a divine silver filigree bracelet that I purchased at the St Paul's Cathedral Gift Shop on a trip to Europe four years ago. It seemed only fitting considering that "Wuthering Heights" is widely considered to be a quintessentially English 19th century novel...

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Franny & the Professor & his Wife

Have been lucky enough to spend time with some dear friends & mentors visiting from "down south," attending both Spamalot! & Wuthering Heights in a matter of days. 

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King Arthur: Now stand aside, worthy adversary.

Black Knight: 'Tis but a scratch.

King Arthur: A scratch? Your arm's off.

Black Knight: No it isn't.

King Arthur (pointing): What's that then?

Black Knight: I've had worse.

The uproariously funny Spamalot! (a musical version of the 1975 film, Monty Python & the Holy Grail) followed King Arthur & the Knights of the Round Table on a jaunty quest to find the renowned relic & featured the supremely talented Jon English singing the iconic tune, Always Look on the Bright Side of Life. The show was all-singing, all-dancing, side-splitting fun & left many holding their stomachs & wiping their eyes with laughter... 

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Heathcliff: "Oh, you said you cared nothing for my sufferings! And I pray one prayer - I repeat it till my tongue stiffens - Catherine Earnshaw, may you not rest as long as I am living; you said I killed you - haunt me, then! The murdered do not haunt their murderers, I believe. I know that ghosts have wandered on earth. Be with me always - take any form - drive me mad! only do not leave me in this abyss, where I cannot find you! Oh, God! it is unutterable! I cannot live without my life! I cannot live without my soul!" 

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Speaking of wiping one's eyes, Wuthering Heights had the audience doing the same but for a completely different reason. Emily Bronte's 1846 gothic masterpiece still has the capacity to shock with its raw emotion, unforgiving landscape & dark themes of jealousy & vengeance that culminate in an ultimately tragic ending for the main characters, doomed lovers Heathcliff & Cathy. 

Both outings called for smart-casual options with a spring/summer "floral" feel, pictured below:

Black & pink is a classic colour combination, made that little bit funkier with the use of different textures, such as the sheer black chiffon overlay with the pink satin peeking through. The abstract floral cut-outs also provide visual interest, giving what would otherwise be a simple L.B.D (little black dress) a casual, modern twist. 

A long, dangling necklace is great for lengthening the body & this art deco-eque option provides a "dressed-down" counterpoint on otherwise dressy chiffon. A silver bangle & silver & black onyx bracelet complete the look, anchored with patent black platforms & handbag. 

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LOOK #1

Dress: Basque satin & chiffon

Peeptoe Platforms: Emerson @ Big W patent

Bag: Novo patent

Necklace: TS

Bangle: Wallace Bishop silver & elastic

Bracelet: Oxfam silver & onyx

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Roses are perennially stylish fashion statement, particularly striking in red & quirky in this abstract print when scattered over many asymmetrical tiers. The black inherent in the rose's sculptural shape is enhanced by the addition of this art-deco style headband with large black flower over one ear, blending in with my sharp, black bob. 

Once again, the look is anchored by black accessories in the form of patent platforms & handbag & finished with eclectic jewellery - a stunning vintage silver fleur-de-lis hinged bangle & two black faceted-bead bracelets with a myriad of charms including teeny tiny dresses on hangers...

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LOOK #2

Dress: Liz Jordan chiffon

Platforms: Emerson @ Big W patent

Bag: Novo patent

Hinged Bangle: Vintage, 1940s

Beaded Bracelets with Charms: Thomas Sabo

Headband: Lovisa

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