To start off the new year, my partner, Markabre Charade and I have collaborated on a mixed media project!
We both have an interest in early film and the romance of the silent era, which we have incorporated into this work. The results are fairly Lynchian, thanks to Mark's video editing skills. This is going to be one of many experimental films, hopefully leading up to something a lot larger, with a possibility of turning into a performance piece.
Photography and film work by Markabre Charade
Styling, modelling and photographic retouching by Anna Swiczeniuk
We also have some stills from the above film.
As a side note, the dress was a gift to myself, after hunting for a good, long Galliano-esque gown for some time - hurrah for January sales!
Just a quick announcement for the winner of my calendar giveaway. I really appreciate all the support and comments on the blog so far, thank you to all who entered!
I have picked a winner at random, so congratulations to Lorlor, your calendar shall be on it's way to you very soon!
In other news: a few months ago, I modelled in a project shot by Nitemare Photography, with Sample Remix designs (including amazing styling). We had to keep the images under wraps because they were to be included in the newest issue of Creepy Queen magazine, which is now available for pre-order.
I can't wait to receive my copy, and finally be able to show off the amazing images!
Some of you may remember the set of self portraits I shot for milliner Apatico, which also featured a beautiful dress by I Do Declare. Although I don't consider myself fitting for most Lolita clothing, I am in love with everything that I Do Declare designs. Research makes all the difference when one is looking to create something unique, and Kelsey's interest in history really comes across in her work.
She was kind enough to send a few pieces for me to shoot, so here is another set of self portraits featuring I Do Declare!
(Brushes are from Dracovina-Stock, the hat is from New Look, surprisingly!)
Yesterday the rather chameleonic Yume Ninja came over to my humble abode for a quick shoot and some damn good food. Although based in Los Angeles, Yume and her partner are visiting the UK over the Christmas season. We had planned to shoot more, including teaming up with Sohui, however snow and fail had left poor Sohui stuck at a bus stop twiddling her thumbs.
I have, for some time, been very interested in the work of Paolo Roversi, particularly when in combination with the genius of John Galliano. Working predominantly with polaroid film, natural lighting and a technique of using long exposures with Mag-Lite flashlights to pick out his subjects creates a otherworldly effect that has become his trademark. Roversi is particularly inspiring when considering his popularity within the fashion industry; although a very traditional and artistic photographer, he has worked with the most "fabulous" names within the "fiercest" magazines. It fills me with joy to see work such as his, and similar photographers, rather than those concerned purely with modernity.
In order to obtain a similar, surreal effect using digital photography, I used a lensbaby composer on my 5D MkII. The lensbaby allows the photographer to select a particular point of focus and blur other points, which is great for this kind of style and experimentation. Yume styled herself, and did her own fantastic makeup; which was all inspired by John Galliano's Frozen Ukrainian Brides, which has to be one of my most adored collections ever..
I do love feedback on my work, so feel free to leave a comment!
Rudolph Valentino; one of the most charming and diverse faces of early cinema, since [mostly] forgotten thanks to the distractions of Britain's Got The X Factor Come Dancing and the music of Lady Auto-tune.
His career spanned from 1914, when he played uncredited bit-parts, to his final film, The Son of the Sheik, in 1926. Tragically, he died later that year, after having emergency surgery to treat appendicitis and gastric ulcers. Although the operation was successful, peritonitis had already spread throughout his body due to his condition remaining untreated for so long. Sadly, his doctors neglected to explain the seriousness of his illness, leaving Valentino convinced the malady would pass. Right up until his death, it was reported that Rudolph Valentino talked of his future.
Rudolph Valentino was one of the most popular stars of his time, amassing a legion of fans, who were sent into mass hysteria over his tragic demise. An estimate of 100,000 people crowded the streets of New York in order to pay their respects, and reports soon came in of suicides and riots. Actress Pola Negri (another favourite of mine), who claimed to be his fiance (an issue which remains hazy to this day. Personally, the romantic in me prefers to think of this as fact!), collapsed in very public hysterics and ordered flowers spelling out her name to be placed on top of Valentino's coffin.
Valentino and Pola Negri
Despite his popularity at the end, it wasn't easy for Valentino to carve a career for himself. It was only in 1921, with the release of The Four Horsemen of The Apocalypse that he was, technically, a star, although the studio refused to acknowledge this. Despite The Four Horsemen being the first film to make a million at the box office, Metro Pictures would not give Valentino a raise and for his next film forced him, once again, into a bit part. Yearning for respect, he quit Metro and entered into a contract with Famous Players-Lasky, a studio that focussed on commercial film. It was in this company that his stardom was embraced and his reputation as the "Latin Lover" set in stone. The Sheik became Rudolph Valentino's defining film, both in his career and his image. It is no secret of the questionable attitudes concerning other races at this time, and such a film could have easily slipped into racism (by today's standards); however Valentino attempted to distance his character from the stereotypical Arab man. When asked to comment on the subject, he said, "People are not savages because they have dark skins. The Arabian civilization is one of the oldest in the world...the Arabs are dignified and keen brained."
Valentino and Agnes Ayres in The Sheik
Despite Valentino's legion of female fans, American men were far less impressed, and his masculinity was often questioned throughout the media. Men idolised the personality of stars such as Douglas Fairbanks (who I wouldn't kick out of bed either), however many began to take inspiration from Valentino's looks; a man who greased his hair back was known as a "Vaselino." Despising the gossip concerning his sexuality, Valentino often carried snippets of newspaper articles with him in order to criticise the contents.
Surprisingly, his sexuality continues to be questioned to this day, mostly due to the two, short-lived marriages he engaged in. In 1919 actress Jean Acker married Valentino, in part to remove herself from a lesbian love triangle she was embroiled in. Understandably, this marriage did not last long, however they remained married for 2 years, during which Valentino met Natacha Rambova. This second marriage ended bitterly, with many of Valentino's associates describing Rambova as "controlling". These marriages have since been questioned to have been "lavender marriages" in order to hide the lesbian affairs each woman was reportedly involved in.
Another rather amusing rumour was that Rudolph Valentino was involved with Ramón Novarro, despite Novarro claiming they barely knew eachother. According to books such as Hollywood Babylon, Valentino had given Novarro an art deco dildo, which was found stuffed down Novarro's throat at his death.
"GAY, MOI?" Valentino in Monsieur Beaucaire
Gay, bi-sexual or just an old romantic, Rudolph Valentino remains one of my favourite Dandies of the past. Seeming quite a chameleon, he portrayed a beautifully clad Arab, a Russian outlaw (squee!), a dapper playboy Earl (SQUEE!) and a much-loved toreador (SQUUUUEEE!!!). If only he had played Napoleon, then I would have assumed we were made for eachother. Oh well, I'll make do with gazing longingly...
