The Spirit of Christmas

It’s Christmas Eve at last, and it’s a warm summer’s day here in Melbourne. I have grown up with hot Christmases, so for me the notion of a snowy Christmas is exotic. That’s why I particularly love this photoshoot by Tim Walker from British Vogue, shot in Ireland. It’s not snowing, but that billowing tartan skirt looks so cosy, and an armful of holly is a simply wonderful concept. There’s an air of anticipation as they make ready for Christmas; a holiday excitement that makes them sing and skip.

I don’t know which issue of Vogue these pages are torn from, but I am guessing that it is at least 5–10 years old. Although there is a delightful touch of whimsy in the styling (hanging upsidedown; tipping through a window), there is not the Walker trademark of the utterly fantastic. This is not to say the shoot suffers any loss by it; rather it makes it easier to imagine inhabiting that cold Christmas world.

It’s a lovely inspiration for tomorrow however – I haven’t yet decided what to wear. Now a shot lilac silk dress beckons, and perhaps a pair of bejewelled green satin sandals too…

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