Showing posts with label marie antoinette. Show all posts
Showing posts with label marie antoinette. Show all posts

Fashion in Film: Emma. (2020)

Thursday, March 26, 2020


I have always been transfixed by clothing in films, and over the years I’ve read everything I can about costume design. I was inspired to start a Twitter thread, but wanted to explore the topic without a word count. And this series, Fashion in Film, was born! Here we will take a deeper dive into notable costume design in film.

Seeking a distraction during this difficult time, I finally was able to see Emma. (2020), a movie people started recommending me immediately after the first trailer dropped! Watching director Autumn de Wilde's first foray into feature films was like a soothing balm, with a carousel of visual optimism arriving in quick succession: floral wallpaper! Ornate costumes! Lingering close-ups on hands! Tear-stricken confessions! A shock of blood! All anchored by strong performances from Anya Taylor-Joy, Miranda Hart, and Bill Nighy. There was so much I loved about this spirited take on the Jane Austen classic.

Read on for a deeper dive on my favorite costumes in Emma. (2020).

Fashion in Film: 5 Favorite Period Pieces

Monday, August 26, 2019

Some of the most memorable scenes in film feature breath-taking clothing that speak to different time periods, class system, life experiences, and more. As well as introducing me to worlds outside of my limited scope, movies also taught me about fashion - how to identify fabrics, sewing techniques - not to mention reading a character based on their wardrobe. Things like scuff marks, specific kinds of fabric, color stories, and garment structure all give us clues to the characters on screen.

I started a Twitter thread on some of my favorite films based on their costume design, but wanted to explore the topic without a word count, and I felt like a series here on Mermaidens would be the perfect way to explore costume design in film! I would love to hear your favorites as well, so please leave them in the comments!
Let's discuss one of my very favorite genres of film: The Period Piece.

Makeup Look: Modern Day Marie Antoinette

Thursday, July 25, 2019


Lately, instead of asking myself "how can I make myself look better?" when doing my makeup, I've been trying to ask myself "How can I have fun with this?". It's a much appreciated change, partially inspired by the amazing dialog we had in one of my last post which touched upon beauty standards.

An Interview with Lace & Whimsy

Wednesday, September 27, 2017


Marie Enamel Pin * and Piece of Cake Enamel Pin *

I am super excited to share an interview with Kathy, the founder of Lace & Whimsy, a magical space on the internet filled with kitschy cute enamel pins, stickers, prints, and more! I have been following Kathy for quite some time now, and watching her build Lace & Whimsy from the ground up as been incredibly inspiring. Here, we talk about inspiration and what to do when you don't feel "enough".


How did Lace & Whimsy come to be?
I started Lace & Whimsy back in 2014 as a personal style blog and creative outlet. I didn't have any end game in mind, I was honestly just bored and uninspired with my day job in the accounting industry and wanted a place to share some pretty things in my little world. I soon found myself dabbling with design and creating my own blog graphics. (Everything I made at first was pretty cringey when I look back on it now, but you have to start somewhere!)

A few years ago, I stumbled up upon an Instagram niche devoted to planners, stickers, and stationery. I was fascinated. I wanted to make my own stickers from my illustrations and became determined to figure out how I could do just that. I launched my first sticker collection in early 2016 and have been expanding ever since. I now offer enamel pins, prints, and other stationery goodies, in addition to my sticker sheets, which are still my biggest seller. I have some other products up my sleeve I hope to be able to launch very soon so I can continue to expand my brand away from just stickers. I always feel like I have too many ideas and not enough time to execute them all.



What are some of your favorite pieces you’ve ever done?
My favorite piece I've ever done is almost always going to be whatever piece I've most recently completed. I'm really just getting started on my creative journey and I feel like my art is evolving very quickly. Though I still look back at many of my earlier pieces with love, I'm always giddy with pride at whatever I'm currently working on. That said, I think my Delicate Fxcking Flower collection may always be my favorite. The pin in particular has been a big seller -- I just love how this design really resonates with so many people!

Where do you get your inspiration?
I get inspiration literally everywhere, it can be a little exhausting at times. My mind never stops. I definitely get a lot of inspiration from films. There are so many times I want to hit pause on a beautiful scene in an old movie and just draw it. I love watching animated shows and classic Disney movies. I focus on the way different things are drawn and what details artists choose to accentuate. I also get inspiration from taking walks or scrolling my favorite Instagram feeds. I'm never at a loss for what to create next. I have notebooks full of ideas I revisit when I'm feeling blah. I know if I browse through old pages, something is bound to spark my interest for my next project.


What advice would you give fellow creators feeling like they aren't "enough"?
Focus on your own creative journey. Don't compare yourself to others. Which is easier said than done, I have to remind myself of this constantly. There is always going to be someone who has better art, or a more curated Instagram feed, or a killer website. I try to focus on letting other creators' work motivate and inspire me on my own journey, while still staying true to my own unique voice and aesthetic.

The advice I give everyone is that whenever someone pays you a nice compliment about your work, write it down in a journal or keep a folder of screenshots. Revisit these kind words whenever you are feeling low and that your work isn't enough. Being vulnerable and putting your work out into the world is a brave thing. Keep on shining.

This post is in collaboration with Lace & Whimsy. All opinions are my own and only products I truly love are featured!

MAKEUP: Marie Antoinette

Wednesday, October 28, 2015


When Lancome asked me to do a makeup look inspired by a modern day Marie Antoinette I jumped at the chance! Growing up, I obsessed over Isabella Rossellini’s Lancome ads and I have been equally smitten with the latest face of Lancome, the incomparable Lupita Nyong’o! Here is the makeup look I created - another excellent last minute Halloween costume idea!


Products Used:
Hypnôse Drama Waterproof Mascara *
Auda[City] in Paris Palette *
L'Absolu Rouge Définition Lipstick in Le Carmin *
Sourcils Gel Eyebrow Gel-Cream in Blonde *
Sourcils Gel Dual End Eyebrow Brush *
Blush Subtil in Rose Paradis *

Favorite Films: Marie Antoinette (2006)

Friday, December 9, 2011

While I feel like the plot and character development of this movie leaves something to be desired, MARIE ANTOINETTE (2006) is definitely one of the prettiest movies I have ever seen. The pastel hues, floral patterns, costumes, and sets make this movie such a treat for the eyes! Meanwhile, who else is so excited about Kirsten Dunst's "come-back"?














♥, Kailey

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