The Magician
I lament the day I ever think I am too old to watch an animated film. Lately I have been revisiting the Studio Ghibli collection and allowing myself to be whisked away to weird and wonderful dreamlands. A personal favourite of those dreamlands is the beautiful, if tormented, Neo-Victorian setting for Miyazaki's interpretation of Howl's Moving Castle. I shall always have a soft spot for the Neo-Victorian, even though in most iterations it can unfortunately smack of costume rather than fashion (namely steampunk). Indeed many of the costumes seen within the film would be rather difficult to really apply to the everyday. Even so, if one were so inclined, sourcing the majority of the Victorian fashions employed would be quite the hard task.
I have always been rather taken by Howl's outfits within the film. He has a very simple albeit well-accessorized uniform, the silhouette and ease of which really interests me. Flying around in a baggy blouse, high waisted black drainpipes, Cuban heel boots and oversize magician's coat, only ever worn as a cape, it is quite a striking combination. Add to this his rather opulent jewellery, with the blue stoned ring he wears on his index finger, the emerald drop earring, and the various necklaces he wears throughout the film, and there is a deceptively simple outfit. The jewellery may sound like overkill, but then, for all of its overtly feminine charm, it works. I suppose it is androgyny at its most romantic.
Then again, you can get away with just about anything in a cartoon world, so you would probably have to tone it down for everyday...
- Viscose shirt by Ann Demeulemeester
- Stretch jersey trousers by Lanvin
- Cuban heel boots by Yves Saint Laurent
- Sapphire, gold and iron ring by Marco Baroni
For those not wishing to tread the line so closely, there is always Markl - floppy bow tie, white shirt, green waistcoat, knickerbockers, maroon stockings and brown monkstrap shoes. Heck, I wish I dressed that well as a child.
xxxx