Gloom And Gild

The other day, I returned to Newport to take in a Pierre Cardin exhibit at Rosecliff Mansion. The scenery was perfect for photos. The exhibit was interesting, it consisted of pieces from a private collection, about thirteen or so, both couture and pret a porte. I only truly loved about four, but allegedly, the Newport Preservation Society offers various other fashion-related exhibits at the mansion through the year. Pierre Cardin is the pioneer of space-age style, geometric designs, and the bubble skirt of 1954. Cardin formed his own house in 1950 after a stint as Dior's head designer.

Some Pierre Cardin looks: (none of which I saw, I saw the private collection of some elderly Newport socialite...)

Anyways, aside from the exhibit, Rosecliff Mansion itself is lovely, with ocean views, fountains, rolling lawns and fragrant gardens. The house itself was built in 1902 by some ridiculously wealthy people attempting to compete with neighbors like the Astors and the Vanderbilts. My favorite parts are the staircase which is a double, and the decadence of the ballroom. The ballroom and subsequent grounds around the house are featured in both the 1974 version of The Great Gatsby with Robert Redford (which was poorly cast,in my opinion) and lately, Evening, which I did cry my delicate eyes out at. In 1904, (and this is a piece of intriguing tour information I picked up by the British man leading us through the house...) Theresa (Tessie) Fair Oelrichs, owner of the house and famed Newport hostess, threw an amazing "Bal de Blanc" party on the property, beating Diddy to the punch by about a century! Oelrichs had her own fleet of full sized skeleton white ships built to serve as a backdrop on the ocean for the gala, as the 400 guests frolicked amid arbors of silver birch and white hydrangea, inside and out! Oelrich brought in white swans for the fountains, and the dress coat was white gowns, and powdered wigs and makeup in the style of Louis XIV (Think Marie Antoinette, except all in white!!).Tessie Oelrichs, looks like she knows how to have a good time...

The staircase that I love (no photography in any of the mansions...)Ballroom with Cloud Ceiling...(If I ever were unselfish enough for marriage...)Dining room

Whenever I am in a fashion rut, I go to Newport to tour the decadent mansions to channel some past socialite's glamorous style. The furnishings and architecture are all very inspiring as settings for perfect vintage fashion.

Gilded

Top: Forever 21
Shoes: " "
Bracelet:" "
Skirt: Popstar (?)
Sunnies: UO (most likely...)
Bag: Vintage Givenchy
Earrings:Vintage

Gloom

Next stop was Brenton Point Park, which is known as a terrific spot for kite flying and a lovely rocky shoreline. Its got lush picnic grounds, and lesser known is the haunted woods also part of the property. I of course, knew all about this, thanks to my book, Haunted Rhode Island by Thomas D'Agostino. I enjoy keeping up with all the decidedly haunted locations throughout New England. I am always fascinated by the stories behind such hauntings, and D'Agostino puts them into striking historical context as well. In the case of Brenton Point Park, D'Agostino writes that the eerie condition of the land began when famed Egyptologist Theodore M. Davis built a large mansion known as "The Reef' in 1876 which has since burned down. Well supposedly, Davis was involved in some missions that may have left him a cursed man while exploring in Egypt, including raiding the tombs of King Tut's father, and brining home pillaged goods to Newport, artifacts of the cursed tombs. It isn't shocking that Davis and all the subsequent owners of the land experienced ill luck and spooky occurrences. In fact, no one wanted to live on the property because they were so freaked from 1946 on! In 1969, the area became a public park run by the state. D'Agostino outlines some of the freaky things that still occur in those deep woods today: unexplained noises in the garden, invisible horses trotting noisily--and invisibly through the wooded paths, and phantom conversations...I of course insisted we shoot in the woods...

Original carriage house ruins, all boarded up now.

2nd windmill built by Davis (the first one burned down, shocker!)
Both areas are the sites of unexplained paranormal voices, according to D'Agostino...

Dress: Francesa's Chicago (courtesy of Betsy, who is now here!!)
Shoes: F21
Sunnies: F21
Bracelet:F21
Hair Flower: unknown?
Bag: Vintage Givenchy

"...voices lurk around the gnarled trees in the great gardens. The trees themselves harbor negative energy that seems to create a foreboding atmosphere in the vicinity where they sit most menacingly along the edge of the woods."
-Thomas D'Agostino

Betsy and O are here! He's gotten so big! Yesterday Betsy and I had quite a fun day out together! I am so glad they're here! Next week, it's back to school for me! Still not sure what to wear...Today I get my hair cut,(finally! my bangs are too long!) and work a short shift at work! I would like to continue my "haunted" photo shoots once every week or so (it's not a promise, it's a pledge...)up until Halloween. I think that would be exciting!