Tuesday 12 February 2008

A reminder



Just in case I forget just how beautiful the sky was this morning I took my camera with me for a wander round town. Some things we take so much for granted that we no longer notice them. I can't remember when I last stopped and looked at the Royal Pavilion as I walked through its gardens to the town centre or the Lanes. How could I have got so used to its sheer "out of placeness", its flamboyance and beauty? I stopped in front of it for a few minutes this morning and wondered at its spectacle. Against the sky, you could be fooled into forgetting that you were indeed in a busy English seaside town.



Another thing I am in danger of taking for granted round here is the sheer abundance of art available to us. As I turned to take photos of the Dome (the former stables of the Prince Regent and now a concert hall) I remembered that the museum in the same building was staging an exhibition that I had long been planning to see.



I'm glad I took a detour. The exhibition, charting the history of the little black dress, since its introduction in the 20s by Coco Chanel, to the present day was wonderful.


I think we probably have all had at one time or another that little black dress in our wardrobe to fall back on. That little staple that makes us feel good and is always dependable.



Thanks to Audrey the little black dress is now an icon. Although, the Breakfast at Tiffany's dress wasn't present there were dresses from the 20s onwards. Having never owned a designer frock I marvelled at the sheer beauty of these creations, their cut, fabric and design. I wouldn't have minded any of them being in my wardrobe! I have been watching the fascinating series about Savile Row on TV and drooling over the bespoke tailoring and cut of the suits and glimpses into the parallel lives of those who buy them, some of whom are pure eccentrics (last week an explorer came to have his explorer's suit altered, he was just off to the Amazon to hunt down a meteorite - and I thought Indiana Jones was pure fantasy). Having seen close up today the beauty of a couture dress I can fully understand the temptation, if not the price!

15 comments:

French Knots said...

Next time I need to pop off to the Amazon I will kepp Savile Row in mind!
It's easy not to see the things on our doorstep, that we get used to and take for granted. Doesn't blogging open your eyes?

Thimbleanna said...

You are so right -- the pavilion seems so out of place. My first thought at the first picture was that you'd been on a trip somewhere! Thanks for the little tour and glimpse into the exhibition!

Gill said...

You live in an exciting place Kim but I guess like the rest of us it's easy to go about your day without really looking around you.I always carry my camera with me now just in case a photo opportunity comes along!

weirdbunny said...

My goodness, that photo of the blue sky and the pavillion top looks like it was taken abroad. The pavillion roof looks maroccan !

Cowboys and Custard Mercantile said...

Hello Kim
Thank you for the mini tour of Brighton. I have only been there once many years ago to an antiques fair. It was an outing organised by West Dean College where I was a student studying ceramic resoration..way back in the early 80's. I would love to return and visit the Pavilion..
I share your love of well tailored clothes though you would not think it to see my normal attire.
My mother had the most beautiful tailored clothes as was tradition in her day.. nothing off the peg!

Raindrops said...

I have only just started to watch the Savile Row program. Wish I had seen more of them now. Tricia

cd&m said...

The weather has been wonderful hasn't it? Your so lucky to have such wonderful places to see and things to do on your own doorstep.

Sal said...

How gorgeous! I think I would love Brighton;-)Sal

Anonymous said...

Lovely to see the photos of Brighton, Kim and against such a beautiful blue sky, thank you for that. Love Jackie Mx

Susan Tuttle said...

What a beautiful pavilion -I felt like I was taking the walk with you. What a pretty sky.

Hope you have a Happy Valentine's Day!

Susan

Pam said...

The Pavilion looks amazing.

I loved your gardening post. I've just come inside from forking around in the earth - my fingers are cold but my nose is full of the smell of fresh air and damp soil. Yum.

OhSoVintage said...

That exhibition sounds really interesting. I haven't seen the Saville row programmes - when are they on?

dottycookie said...

It's years since I've been to the Pavilion - what a gorgeous place it is. And that exhibition looks wonderful - wish I'd made a detour this week!

Louise said...

Your photos of the Pavilion are lovely enough to be made into postcards and what a sky. Lovely exhibition of the Little Black Dress, I must contact me niece, who loves everything Audrey Hepburn and is also taking a gap year in readiness for a fashion/art course at university, she would love this, although she is so on the ball, she has probably been already! So glad you had some 'me' time and on such a beautiful day. x

meggie said...

Another lovely post! Love the Dome.