LA REINE MARGOT

Isabelle Adjani - major girl crush!

VIVA LA BALLET

The Ballets Russes (French for The Russian Ballets), an itinerant ballet company which performed under the directorship of Sergei Diaghilev, became extremely famous in Europe in the early part of the 20th century. An offshoot from the Russian Mir iskusstva (World of Art) movement, the Ballets Russes had more influence on ballet and ballet music than any other ballet company of their time.

A little on the World of Art Movement - led by Alexander Benois, Mir iskusstva had mainly occupied itself with painting exhibitions and the publication of a culture magazine. Subsequently, Benois and his circle conceived the idea of bringing Russian nationalist opera to Paris in 1907, i.e., the Ballets Russes, wherein it was an instant success.

Here are just a few memorable images :)

BRANCHING OUT ...

I know I've posted images on my signature Butterfly pieces before but I thought I'd do it again now but as a progressive report of sorts :)

I started with creating these Branch Earrings back in 2007.







Then moved on to a somewhat more curvaceous form.









And here are a few of my more recent incarnations.





You know, I can't believe it's taken me two years to realise just how incredibly flattering and versatile the shapes of these earrings are. They can elongate a fuller jawline even as they add the necessary curves to a sleeker face shape.

So, as the post title implies, I'm branching out, mama!! You'll be seeing a whole lot more of these shapes from hereon ... call 'em Butterfly, call 'em Branch, just call 'em wonderful to wear.


Love ya!

MUSINGS OF A MAESTRO by ECLETTICA

Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827), one of history's most famous and mysterious composers died at the age of 57 with one great secret. Upon his death, a love letter was found among his possessions. It was written to an unknown woman whom Beethoven simply called his, "Immortal Beloved".

The world may never put a face with this mysterious woman or know the circumstances of their affair (although the most likely candidate, based on what is known about people's movements and the contents of the letters, is Antonie Brentano, a married woman with whom he had begun a friendship in 1810).

And his letters are all that is left of a love as intensely passionate as the music for which Beethoven is famed. Compositions such as the Moonlight Sonata as well as Beethoven's many symphonies express eloquently the tragedy of a relationship never publicly realised.

The letter reads thus ...

"My angel, my all, my very self -- only a few words today and at that with your pencil -- not till tomorrow will my lodgings be definitely determined upon -- what a useless waste of time. Why this deep sorrow where necessity speaks -- can our love endure except through sacrifices -- except through not demanding everything -- can you change it that you are not wholly mine, I not wholly thine?

Oh, God! look out into the beauties of nature and comfort yourself with that which must be -- love demands everything and that very justly -- that it is with me so far as you are concerned, and you with me. If we were wholly united you would feel the pain of it as little as I!

Now a quick change to things internal from things external. We shall surely see each other; moreover, I cannot communicate to you the observations I have made during the last few days touching my own life -- if our hearts were always close together I would make none of the kind. My heart is full of many things to say to you - Ah! -- there are moments when I feel that speech is nothing after all -- cheer up -- remain my true, only treasure, my all as I am yours; the gods must send us the rest that which shall be best for us.

Your faithful, Ludwig"

My soul is greatly intrigued by this poignant, intimate look into the very depths of such a unique individual. So much so that Musings Of A Maestro was born.

These danglers embody a delicate performance of Soft Silver, Bold Blue, Passionate Red and Dramatic Black against a backdrop of Gilded Gold. Indeed, African Rubies, Labradorite (displaying both Blue and Copper Schillers) and Mystic Black Sapphire are melodiously put together with 14K Gold Filled Wire to compose a bejewelled virtuosa, reminiscent of Beethoven's contributions to the Classical and Romantic era.

"Ist es nicht schön?"
(Is it not beautiful?)

Musings Of A Maestro is a lithe 2 3/8" drop from 14K Gold Filled Ear Posts.

{ ALL RIGHTS RESERVED }

Designs, Literature & Imagery ©2007-2009 Eclettica The Atêlier

DAHLIA DARLING

My friend Dahlia is a stunning, true-to-life beautiful woman who looks amazingly like one of my muses, Dita Von Teese. And yes, we both share a mutual adoration of the modern day burlesque performer :)

Plus she's also just posted some stunning photos of Ms Von Teese, SO SO SO divine that I simply *had* to share 'em with you http://dahlialand.blogspot.com/ check it out.

I'm particularly enamoured of this one ...



Doesn't that ring adorning Dita's finger remind you of my Skirting The Complexities Of A Nebula confection?

GAGA GETS DAZED

But not confused.
Dazed and Dazzling.

I know, many of you are suffering from Gaga fatigue, but not me! Not even the massive number of Lady Gaga costumes sure to take over the nation on Saturday night can quench my insatiable thirst for her special brand of quirky cool. Her SNL performance a few weeks ago was awesome and so too, I expect, this new video set to hit our screens soon.

It starts out with a stint of interpretive modern dance a la Gaga, set to piano music, before moving on to what appears to be outer space in vivid film noir mode - but of course. It *is* GagaLand.

The styling is sparkly, girly frou frou and somewhat athletic in a Marvel Heroine kind of way, and yes, all at the one same time. And that technicolour make-up is pretty spiffy weird and I truly mean that in the best possible way.

I love you, Lady Gaga!

Here are some behind-the-scenes shots for your viewing pleasure :)

OLYMPIAS, THE SORCERESS by ECLETTICA

Olympias was a Greek princess of Epirus, daughter of king Neoptolemus I of Epirus, the fourth wife of the king of Macedonia, Philip II, and mother of Alexander the Great. She was a devout member of the orgiastic snake-worshiping cult of Dionysus, and may have slept with snakes.

Oooh.
Scandalous.

She was also, as history recounts, a tall, statuesque, vivacious beauty who would fly into rages of jealousy without the slightest provocation. Indeed, it was reported that with Philip's volatility and Olympias' jealous nature, theirs was a truly stormy union.

What an epic tale.
Already inspired, I then stumbled across one of the most visually stunning interpretations of Olympias ever, within the portfolio of Alexia Sinclair, a wonderfully talented Australian-based photographer and digital artist. Please see the last image to understand my awe.

I knew I just *had* to recreate the passion and the essence that was Olympias, The Sorceress. And the elements I chose to use in depicting this regal persona are:-

>> GENUINE BLACK DIAMONDS
>> AAA Dark London Blue Topaz (immensely rare, intensely blue)
>> AAA Black Rutilated Quartz
>> AAA GENUINE TAHITIAN Black Pearls
>> RARE Grey Moonstone
>> RARE Mystic Silver Quartz
>> Mystic Silver Blue Topaz
>> Polished Tanzanite
>> Iolite
>> Silvery Grey Pearls
>> White Seed Pearls
>> Brazilian Blue Apatite
>> Polished Kyanite
>> Rainbow Moonstone
>> Silver Keishi Pearls

Dark.
Sexy.
Intriguing.
Dramatic.
Heirloom.

Olympias, The Sorceress glides sensually around the décolleté at the statement length of 21", securing with a stunning Bali Silver Toggle Clasp. I can certainly make this length adjustable for you, to provide for further versatility in style. The focal portion measures a majestic 4.75", allowing you to feel like the true Queen that you are.

~ matching earrings listed here http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=32518287 ~

{ ALL RIGHTS RESERVED }

Designs, Literature & Imagery ©2007-2009 Eclettica The Atêlier

GOING GAGA

Those of you who know me, know all too well how fascinated I am with Lady Gaga. Perhaps obsessed might be a more appropriate word. And to find her all bedecked in Hello Kitties was an photo opp to delightful to pass up :)






Here are some other (equally) freakinlicious pictures of my Lady Gaga, for your viewing pleasure.









Meow.

EXTRAORDINARILY EUGENIO

These were done by Spanish photographer Eugenio Recuenco for Spanish Vogue six years ago but remain, obviously, immensely chic and timeless and fresh.

OH OLYMPIAS, ALL HAIL ...

Olympias was a Greek princess of Epirus, daughter of king Neoptolemus I of Epirus, the fourth wife of the king of Macedonia, Philip II, and mother of Alexander the Great. She was a devout member of the orgiastic snake-worshipping cult of Dionysus, and may have slept with snakes.

Oooh.
How utterly scandalous.



Today, I was implicitly inspired by this rendition of Olympias by shutterbug supreme, Alexia Sinclair. Her interpretation of Olympias as The Sorceress is simply divine.



And, weather permitting, I'll be able to share with you the necklace which was born of this regal muse. A necklace created to complement my A Visit To Grey Gardens earrings here.



Pray with me to the God of Rain (or of Sunshine, I get confused).

EMPHATICALLY ERDEM

At first glance, perhaps a tad more subdued than my usual sources of inspiration, you think? Ahh, be not fooled my friend. Peer closer and marvel at the splotches and splashes of colour so artfully peppered throughout this collection.

Sufficiently sombre to suit the more staid personality.
Sufficiently effervescent to soothe the spirited soul.

DEAR DARLING VITA, I LOVE YOU

But you knew that. Afterall these earrings, Heather My Sweet, You're Such A Tease were created in your honour (I know, corny much, the pun on your name Heather Renée Sweet but I couldn't resist :P).




My muse.









Some other equally awesome burlesque images to share with you :)

GEORGIA ON MY MIND

He may not be too easy on the eye himself but Mick Jagger sure knows how to kick in the right DNA.

Following in the footsteps of her stunning mother Jerry and sister Lizzie, Georgia May Jagger is poised to conquer the fashion industry.

p/s no guesses as to which original blonde sex kitten this young lady resembles!