Costume Inspo: Flower Power
It’s just over two weeks now until our midsummer, 1960s extravaganza, Summer of Love!
And so we begin our JOURNEY INTO COSTUME.
Our core inspiration is FLOWER-POWER, no matter what your gender; flowers galore across your head and face and neck & whatever bodypart you wish. If you can divest yourself of clothes altogether & just wear flowers, that would be awesome. Clothes are not needed - flowers are.
There are a million types of flowers & all are valid, but extra points for:
REAL FLOWERS! (obvs challenging)
DAISIES (esp massive Gerberas), CARNATIONS, CHRYSANTHEMUMS, HYDRANGEAS, SUNFLOWERS, with occasional pansies, peace lilies or birds of paradise
60s USA vibes - which nods south to Mexico & Frida Kahlo & roses + East to Indian garlands etc
English pagan wildflowers + grasses + Solstice vibes
FLOWER CROWNS
We have sooo much flowery goodness to share over the coming days & week but for now let’s just start with the simple FLOWER CROWN, rimming heads with royal radiance, whether horizontally or vertically.
UKRANIAN INFLUENCE
There are many reasons to have solidarity with Ukraine - and here’s another: their incredible floral headdresses (or Vinok), a tradition (hinting at bridal purity) that has become increasingly in vogue (& inspired Comme des Garçons Homme Plus Fall 2016 catwalk show).
FLOWERS FOR MEN
We fear this event has caused the men a tad more costume anxiety than normal, so we’ll do our best to put my brothers at ease.
Flowers are not feminine. Men love flowers too. Some flowers are even considered masculine - especially lot of the 60s ones - Daisies, Gerberas, Sunflowers, Dahlias, Anemones, Marigolds..
Here’s to men who love flowers & to how glorious they look with their heads enwrapped in them.
Following on, it may come as some surprise that there’s a well-established tribe of FLOWER MEN - in Saudi Arabia, on the border with Yemen.
Here are some photos of them by Eric Lafforgue and Omar Reda.
“These garlands are made from herbs and flowers, including marigolds, jasmine, and basil. There are many reasons why they wear these unusual adornments. Some use them to look and smell nice and others have them for medicinal purposes, like warding off headaches. They go into the foothills of the Habala Mountains every morning in search of fresh herbs for their garlands.
For the longest time, they were reluctant to have their photos taken or even meet foreigners. The first studies were led only in the 90’s by french photographer Thierry Mauger. Flower Men have a unique privilege in the Kingdom: they are the only tribes in Saudi Arabia who are allowed to grow and consume khat, a stimulant drug. Possession of drugs is punishable by the death penalty in the kingdom.”
