The Wonder Years

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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 sound of the first steam trains as they tore through what was once quiet fields and meadows must have been larger than life, surreal, even dream-like. Isn't that something we are experiencing again today? Modern science and technology has created a new world where the lines between reality and fantasy are blurred. I love this visual from New York Magazine showing that from the works of James Joyce, to modern Japanese street style, Alice has been hugely influential on art and culture all these years.


The blog for The Color Association of America reports that the jewelry designer Tom Binns has teamed up with Disney to create 35 Alice-inspired pieces, and has also collaborated with Stella McCartney to create a limited edition necklace and bracelet set. This set is adorned with plexiglass Alice charms such as rabbits, playing cards, and a Mad Hatter’s hat.



From Shelterpop a whole host of Alice-related products to turn your home into a wonderland.



Left to right
Stackable Furniture, $900, Dust Furniture;
One-Lump Lamp, $200, Anthropologie;
Toadstool Tea Set, $160, Mahar Dry Goods;
Rosanna Teapot, $35, Amazon;
Tobiko Sofa, $4000, InMod;
Chaise Lounge, $600, Funky Sofa
Fleur de Lis Wall Plaques, $43, Home Decor World
Harry Allen Piggy Bank, $190, Panik Design
Toadstool Table, $90, Streamline
Art Deco Side Chair, $1000, Country Living
Suits Coasters, $30, Target

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