Having been a huge Alice in Wonderland fan for most of my life, I was really chuffed that my visit to London would coincide with the 150th anniversary of the first publication of Lewis Carroll’s Alice books.
Oh, if only I had more time so that I could’ve day tripped out to Oxford to take in the tea parties, croquet games and famous boat ride that inspired the book. Or to Cambridge or Bath to join the Mad Hatter tea party. Or any other numerous celebrations in the country.
But I did make a required stop to the V+A Museum of Childhood to check out their exhibit: The Alice Look. The exhibit featured garments, photographs, rare editions and illustrations showing Alice as a style icon and how she continues to inspire and influence celebrities and fashionistas today.
The small exhibit was broken up into 4 parts:
Beginnings – featuring children’s garments from the Victorian era in which Alice was set.
Followers of fashion – featuring illustrations of 20th century editions of Wonderland.
Inspiration – featuring versions of Alice in magazine editorials, on posters and in photographs and videos. Who could forget Annie Liebovitz’s editorial shoot for Vogue? Plus music video clips for Gwen Stefani, channeling Alice in What You Waiting For?
Global Alice – featuring how the Alice look is tweaked depending on fan’s location. There’s even a Japanese lolita-style Alice outfit showcased. Because, of course.
Some pics:
Think Lewis Carroll had any idea that his Alice would’ve endured through the ages? For me, the tales of Alice in Wonderland will always be a favourite read.
View more photos of The Alice Look exhibit on my Flickr album.
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