Just tulle-ing around

Let’s face it: tulle is a frivolous fabric. Even Wikipedia has not much to say on the subject, and there is little other information about it. Although apparently there is a town in France called Tulle, which I didn’t know.

All the same, there is something enchanting about it. There is obviously a strange dichotomy going on in my fashion personality, since I am attracted to such confections as this hat; the colour pink (pink and tulle even collide in this instance here); and vintage jewellery – as well as stark, straight lines; all shades of grey; and fierce shoes that scare some of my female friends.

When I first saw this hat in a charity shop I was instantly charmed by it, but doubtful that I would ever wear it in public. It was the polka-dots scattering the netting that convinced me, however. (The sales person who complimented my appearance in it had nothing whatsoever to do with my decision.)

When I first saw this hat in a charity shop I was instantly charmed by it

I knew how I would photograph it: I would wear my polka-dotted blouse, and the black tulle gloves – also vintage – and I would sit at a table surrounded by white.

My other inspiration was this 1957 photograph by Antony Armstrong-Jones. It wasn’t until after the shoot that I found the image in a book, and I realised how hazy my recollection of it was – I’d forgotten the context completely. But how amusing to see the similarity of her dress to my blouse! I am still trying to decide whose expression of delight looks more affected…

Below are some more modern frivolities (how adorable are those thongs, and they would totally go with my pink tulle hat!). You can see more here.

(Second from left, John Galliano for Christian Dior; far right, Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel. Other images uncredited.)