victorian beetle dress

ellen terry as lady macbeth in 1888

a victorian dress made from 1,000 beetle wings that was worn by one of the most famous actresses of the era has been restored at a cost of £50,000. the emerald & sea green gown - worn by ellen terry when she played lady macbeth at london's lyceum theatre in 1888 - will now go on display in smallhythe place, kent, england.
it is covered is with the iridescent wings of the jewel beetle which the insects naturally shed as part of their life cycle. it was one of the most iconic & celebrated theatre costumes of the time, immortalized by a john singer sargent portrait now on display at the tate gallery. read more here.

daisy fellowes

by cecil beaton, late 1930s.

by cecil beaton, late 1930s.

by cecil beaton, late 1920s.

by cecil beaton, late 1920s.

at her desk, by cecil beaton, 1941.

by cecil beaton.

by john singer sargent

by ilse bing, 1933.

socialite & fashion icon, the hon. daisy fellowes (nee marguerite séverine philippine decazes de glücksbierg) was the editor in chief of french harper's bazaar. heiress to the singer sewing machine fortune she was born april 29, 1890 & died december 13, 1962.

william butler yeats

portrait of william butler yeats by john singer sargent 1908

william butler yeats was born today in 1865.

when you are old

when you are old and grey and full of sleep,

and nodding by the fire, take down this book,

and slowly read, and dream of the soft look

your eyes had once, and of their shadows deep;

how many love your moments of glad grace,

and loved your beauty with love false or true,

but one man loved the pilgrim soul in you,

and loved the sorrows of your changing face;

and bending down beside the glowing bars,

murmur, a little sadly, how love fled

and paced upon the mountains overhead

and hid his face amid a crowd of stars.

-1893