The Edge of Love

  A film I have always been attracted to especially production design wise has been "The Edge of Love" (2008) by John Maybury, to me it is a massive eyegasm with victory rolls, florals and other war-time lovelies. I am so into it that I have even decided to dress more in the style of the film's main two protagonists, Caitlin (wheyyyyyyy!) and Vera. Caitlin and Dylan Thomas were infamous for their relationship, their union suggested that a couple who drink together, stick together. Naturally this theme of alcoholism fits rather snugly into my current artistic practice. So I may even research more theoretically into Dylan Thomas' life.
   I am sure we have all been in a situation at some point in our lives in which you and your best friend like the same guy, and sometimes even in a sort of extreme situation, have ended up in some bizarre love triangle scenario. So this film focuses on the dynamic which is portrayed when two best friends have had/have a relationship with someone, and Cillian Murphy's character, Wiliam Killick states,

   "First love's all right as far as it goes; last love, that's what I'm interested in." which when you think about it, this quote could serve as the film's theme. 

   Also funnily enough, my mum being the lit nerd that she was in her younger years, saw the name of Dylan's wife when she was pregnant with me, and given the baby name specification she so desired which included Irish names only, actually named me after her. So in a bizarrely almost-narcissistic way, I probably feel I can relate more to her story due to our identical titles. 
   But aesthetically, some of the shots in this film are truly stunning. I spent a wonderful evening sipping tea and screen capping the shit out of this film.
   My personal favourites are the parts that pay close attention to small colourful details, i.e. a paint pallet, or a bright children's rattle. Or even the 5 second shot of Caitlin Thomas' son playing with a dead fish outside.

Not only that, the costume design is incredibly appropriate and accurate, particularly for day-to-day living in rural Wales, hats, long socks and wellies are the fitting uniform of convenience for harshly cold and rainy conditions.

Sorry for the shoddily out of focus quality of these photos. Just click to zoom. I just love that blue colour on her. 

Frolicking on the beach, seriously how skinny are they both? :/ In fact, when you look at photos of the real Caitlin MacNamara nee Thomas, you observe a massive chunk of historical inaccuracy. The real Caitlin definitely had more junk in the trunk...

I just want this jumper.. Caitlin wearing Dylan's chunky fair isle jumper in a time of crisis.

Sienna Miller looking like Emma Watson (???).

   Not only do the girls wear just day-clothes, on special occasions they don bright lipsticks, slickly rolled hair and pastel coloured suits. We see this in the court case at the end of the film, and when William returns from the war, Vera gussies herself up nicely. As much as I love their "formal" wear, I prefer the outfits they sport mucking round Wales, that is just a personal perspective though. I'm more of a dressed-down gal myself.

Wahhhhh how gorgeous is this shot?! Love the depth and sadness in it.

Sozzzz for the Play symbol. HER HAIR!!!

The story moves into the courtroom near the end of the film.

   Caitlin and Vera's emotional goodbye, even thought they were rivals, and one of their husband's ruined the other's quality of life, they were still "best friends" and vowed to write to each other.
   Also if anyone knows of any films that are similar in terms of costume design, give me a shout please.

Loose Lips Sink Ships

   I am just ob-sesssssed with the "Land Girl" style anyway of late. I even made a Pinterest board. See? I'm so committed.

   I see a economic struggle around me, particularly as an art student, which leads to a necessary creativity, a modern "make do and mend" if you will. My housemate last year made Christmas decorations out of granny porn i.e. those Mills & Boon books you can get in Smiths. Girls around me are hemming and tying and making something new out of nothing at all. And this as an artist since I can remember, always fascinated me. I am really into blogs like Vixen Vintage, she can tie THE PERFECT head scarf. And she owns so many tartan skirts and saddle shoes. <3.

 Why the shit are there no saddle shoes anywhere in England by the way? Is anyone else facing this problem? If I find any they are cheesy 1950s rockabilly girl fancy dress and they suck. I want the real deal, y'all. Someone hook me up, please.

Anyway, here is a plethora of photos of things that I think are pretty/fit into my Land Girl obsession reverence. I'm thinking, victory rolls, overalls, dungarees, head scarves and tea dresses.

Owwh Rory. This is kind of where my Land Girl love was sparked again, in this particular episode of Gilmore Girls, "We've Got Magic To Do" in which Rory throws a WWII themed DAR party. Just- her hair. It helps that Alexis Bledel seems to really suit the vintage look (see below).

A shot of Alexis Bledel taken from one of my favourite photoshoots ever, "American Icons" by Amy Spencer featuring famous actresses donning the look of American pioneering women of history.

Some bint with banging hair and a fabulous ride- source: http://puttarukka.tumblr.com

TEA DRESSES!!!

Rita Hayworth. Source: http://vintagedressups.blogspot.co.uk/2009/09/1940s-hair-and-make-up_16.html

Vixen Vintage's Solannah with one of her impeccable headscarves. What originally started out as a safety measure to avoid the female factory worker's hair being tangled up into dangerous machinery, then ended up a pin-up fashion statement for years to come. Source: http://www.vixen-vintage.com/2010/01/how-to-tie-40s-headscarf.html

   There's also the formal suit wear of the 40s which showed a proportionate shoulder/hip balance, puffed and accentuated shoulders usually in pastel colours, and the famous . I'm not as knowledgable on this style as I am the Land Girl style but I still think it's a really strong look.

Some 1940s style tips, featuring "swing shirts" and the like. Source: http://www.myhappysewingplace.com/2011/03/pinafore-inspiration-part-2.html

Another costume design gem, "Miss Pettigrew Lives For A Day". Source: http://www.fanpop.com/clubs/miss-pettigrew-lives-for-a-day/images/8462748/title/miss-pettigrew-lives-day-photo?ir=true

"Service women checking out new, artificial silk-plated stockings specially designed for them c. 1943"

  Anywho- I am definitely going to be channeling my inner WWII factory worker-cum-land girl this summer. Particularly at Glastonbury Festival, which I have rather loserishly been planning what I'm going to wear for it. Whilst my best friend intends to grow some dreadlocks and wear Indian/African/beautifully ethnical looking prints, I am going to be V-Daying it up.

  I EVEN DREW THINGS FOR IT.

   Yes so the above depicts my summer sketchbook, a leather bound notebook I got from when I was in Turkey last year, it is small and compact enough for me to take everywhere with me for random ramblings that roam in my head that need to manifested on paper. I have these thoughts and ideas that are expelled out of my pen. I did the majority of these sketches whilst en route home to Bucks from Norfolk, so hopefully they're not too shaky (the Loose Lips Sink Ships typography was haaard to execute).
   To be honest a lot of these things I tend to wear and do anyway, i.e. the fairisle jumpers and floral patterns and brogues are forever on my feet, it's the A-Line skirts and headscarving I need to work on. But I feel as though I already have a little head start, my friend Emily (her writing is here, if you want to read something touchingly personal and tender, yet sharply concise when it comes to matter of style and beauty, check her out) calls me her Land Girl for shits et gigs after all.