Faded Glamour

by petal & pins

waratah gown for blog

One afternoon a couple of weeks ago a friend dropped in for afternoon tea with the gift of a waratah  – such a majestic flower – upright and boldly red. I enjoyed its beauty in a vase on  the mantelpiece and over time it revealed a palette of not just red but also purple.

I have a memory of a picture of a 1980’s YSL dress in red and purple – he was a master of the bold colour combination – and it inspired this garden fairy’s gown.  I waited until the base petals started to droop and brown at the edges before I could bring myself to pull it apart.

I was surprised at how delicately the gown evolved, so different from the bold shaped flower. I thought about those favourite pieces you have for years and how over time after lots of wears and umpteen washes they turn into something else, their faded glamour infused with memories. You might not wear them often but occasionally slipping them on brings a certain joi de vivre.