TREND I-SPY

Peter Newell's illustration 1890 Tim Burton's movie version of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland has topped the box-office again this week which started me thinking about why this story written by Charles Lutwidge Dodgson (Lewis Carroll was his pseudonym) a century and a half ago, should remain so appealing to mass audiences today. The book was first published in England in 1865 and its sequel, Through the Looking Glass, followed in 1871. At this time, Victoria had reigned for nearly 30 years, presiding over the largest Empire in history. The Great Exhibition of 1851 offered people the chance to view 13,000 exhibits from all over the world, which included Australia, New Zealand and of course, the jewel in Victoria's crown, India. The nineteenth century was synonymous with change, it was a time in which the greater percentage of the country's population moved from the country to the city and what was once an agricultural society became industrialized. The sight and ...

Dior, Couture S2010 Is high fashion about to do a 180 degree turn? If the Dior Couture S2010 show is anything to go by then it would seem so. Last season its designer John Galliano reveled in emphasizing the important role of lingerie in current fashion sending out half-dressed models wearing stockings with suspenders, corsets and basques. Many celebrities have embraced this trend with relish, eager to show-off Pilates-honed limbs and abs. Some have taken it to the extreme. Then along comes Galliano with an offering inspired by that most demure and modest female-only pursuit, riding side-saddle. Toward the end of the 19th century in what was still the Victorian age, women rode in a long bustled skirt, soft shouldered peplum jacket and a top hat with net veil. John Galliano's interpretation was faithful to the original while bringing in some wonderfully modern elements such as high heeled boots and opera-length gloves. I wonder if this is a sign of things to come for the F2010 seaso...