Hi everyone
Did I manage to write those stories down last week? I actually found it very difficult to carve out the time, but I have laid down the structure of what this memoir could be, and this time I believe I can do it. I’ve also booked a week away in January in my favourite spot, Dungeness, and as I expect the weather will be wild, cold and wet, the entire week will be spent indoors writing.
And talking about wild weather this past week we’ve certainly had a lot of rain and wind here in the UK culminating in another named ‘storm’and there are many flooded areas in the south, southwest and further afield into the Channel Isles. In our local area we had lashings of rain and gusts of wind up to approximately 60-70mph but, thankfully, only at night and not much damage in our area, others had it much worse and far windier, I do feel for the people who have had their lives ruined by this stormy weather.
The rain on Saturday didn’t put off the Bonfire Societies in Lewes from having their annual bunfight, which is an astonishing manifestation, which we witnessed many times when younger. To sum it up in a couple of sentences doesn’t give justice to how a small town that is very right-on, middle to upper-middle class and very Green suddenly turns feral. But suffice to say Bonfire, as it’s called here, celebrates the Lewes martyrs that were burnt at the stake in the time of Bloody Mary the daughter of Henry VIII who came to the throne determined to root out the dangerous Protestants in her land, so much so that she burnt these heretics alive on bonfires including ones from Lewes. Religion does go down some dark paths and this was one.
There are six Bonfire Societies that organise the whole experience between them, which consists of members of said societies marching through Lewes to the War Memorial dressed up in a variety of costumes and carrying burning torches and crosses. Here’s a photo from last year.
The marchers go back to their respective fields where each society has the most amazing firework display (probably amongst the best in the country) and don’t forget the enormous effigies of politicians (or tableaus as they are called in Lewes) burnt on huge bonfires. Not unexpectedly there were two Rishi Sunaks sitting on a train carriage, then there was a fat cat destroying the world, and a more local tableau depicting a highwayman sitting on a digger, with wording on the back that made it clear the society was having a ‘dig’ at the local council for not sorting the potholes in our roads!
Having stood in the rain last year and had a couple of firecrackers flung near my feet, which started off some minor tinnitus that never went away, we thought we’d keep warm and dry and leave it to the Lewes folk. You could still hear it though and we also watched part of the march on Rocket FM on Youtube.
On the day before (Friday) I went up to the V&A museum to meet two of my favourite bloggers, Gail of Is This Mutton, who I have met before and is a good friend, and Jill, who I hadn’t met, who blogs at Grown Up Glamour.
Jill comes from Tasmania and is here on a very big European tour. I am so glad she made it to the V&A as needless to say we all got on so well with our mutual love of dressing up and our thinking along the same lines on so many topics. Gail didn’t stay for the exhibitions but Jill and I went to both the Diva exhibition and the Chanel.
Before I get to the exhibitions, I just want to say that Jill is always beautifully attired in very stunning and iconic outfits – do have a look at her blog. She wore a superb jacket with a nipped in waist and her lovely tulle skirt that I have seen so many times on her blog. I am able to tell you that I stood up to my name as everything I wore, including the boots and handbag, was from a charity shop bar the faux leather jacket.
My tulle skirt was bought over 10 years ago and cost all of £3. Here I am at home just before I left for London.
I am so glad to have worn it as the last time it was worn was for a party in 2018!
And now for the exhibitions. Diva was tremendous fun with gorgeous and outrageous frocks worn by superstars of many ages. This is Tina Turner’s dress.
I am always amazed at the tiny teeny waists of these incredible dresses.
I think this was Carol Lombard’s dress worn in one of her films. Love that material. I remember having a similar dress bought when I was in my 20s which I kept for years, not sure if I still have it though. Here below is Bjork’s dress.
And one worn by Whitney Houston.
There was only one simple frock on show and it was, of course, a black dress with some props belonging to Edith Piaf.
There were many more divine items on show in the exhibition, but the simple black dress worn by Piaf is a good segue to the Chanel who is synonymous with her designs of the little black dress.
I loved nearly every single one of the dresses worn by the divas, but I did not love every item in the Chanel exhibition. I mean the Chanel’s creations were all divine but there was something about the shape of some of the clothes. She seemed to design for women with very slim almost boyish figures and some outfits, especially those with the boxy jackets and flamboyant rich materials, were not to my taste. Nevertheless, it was the usual superb exhibition at which the V&A excels.
She had two English lovers, Boy Capel who funded her first ventures, and the Duke of Westminster. Both men, and the life she lived with them, influenced her designs and gave her an enduring love of tweed.
I had a skirt like that!
Above is a Chanel suit with an unusually long jacket, which I rather liked. And below was a huge display of the ubiquitous box-jacketed Chanel suit.
And finally there was a display on a grand scale of her fabulous evening dresses. I loved those!
What a time we had looking at the items in each exhibition. It was a great day out. Btw, I’m sure you all know that tickets for the Chanel are sold out for the entire exhibition but there are some tickets available for the Diva exhibition if you book in advance. Fortunately, I am a member so I could walk into the shows and also take in a guest.
That’s all for now, thank you so much for reading to the end. My next blog will be on Thursday next week – another Tell Us About It. Until then.
With love, Penny, the Frugalfashionshopper
We are going to the bonfire this Saturday in Rye. And probably to Dungeness on Sunday. I’m starting to really love that place, lol. How amazing to meet up with Gail and Jill. And what a fabulous exhibition!
Oh how wonderful Nancy, Rye again, that will be so good! And wow, you’re getting to like Dungeness!! I love it, but so many people don’t understand why as it’s so barren – that’s actually why I like it!
It was so good to meet up with Jill and see Gail again!
Thanks Nancy 🙂
I read in a novel that Chanel models ate bits of natural sponge to stay thin enough to work her shows.
It’s probably not far from the truth. Even today models in the top fashion shows are far too thin. The industry really ought to change its ways.
Thanks Nancy 🙂
I absolutely adore the photo of you and Jill…two fashion icons! How fun that you were dressed so nearly identically! The Diva exhibition sounds like lots of wonderful fashion, but the Chanel exhibition…wow! I would have lost myself in those evening gowns. Some day, I will have a lady jacket…not Chanel, but similar!
The Bonfires would be something to see once or twice, I think. But, my poor Jack would be traumatized by the fireworks. I love them, but he’s scared witless!
Thanks, Penny, for sharing these photos!
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It was such good experience meeting Jill and going round the exhibitions together – we really did have the same opinions on so many things. And then we dressed in a similar way! I was so pleased to have worn that skirt again!
Diva was an exciting exhibition, while Chanel was more thought-provoking and interesting. Some of the designs were down-right ugly (imho) but at the same time, very lovely. I adored both the tweedy skirts and the evening frocks.
Bonfire is a very big Lewes tradition that we saw many times when we were younger. We travelled in by train from Brighton – that’s no longer possible as the town closes to outsiders and no cars or public transport are allowed into the town. Interestingly what I remember most is how cold it was – how the weather has changed and that is another subject altogether!
Thanks Marsha 🙂
I am loving the outfit with the biker jacket and tulle skirt. You have the presence to carry it off , but short me would probably look silly. Fall is certainly here in New York. the colors have been beautiful. I did see films last year of the doings in Lewes. It’s really something. here we are planning our American Thanksgiving. the family will go into Manhattan and have others do the cooking. Honestly I do not know how I managed to pull it off for so many years, and working full time. Tonight I made a little soup and I’m tired. Anyway, I am enjoying my learning in retirement group, going to the lectures and films, and last week we had a historian led tour on the architecture of a local city, New Rochelle. Next week we will tour a winery.
The photos of the Channel exhibit are so interesting, not what I expected.
Love from New York, Darby
So enjoyed wearing that skirt although I will say that the length made it trail on the floor when I sat down in restaurants and public transport – had to be careful to loop it up onto my lap! The exhibitions were great as was the company I had. Diva was exciting and Chanel beautiful and interesting. That’s the V&A at its best.
Bonfire is best understood by the Lewesians who are very passionate about its history. On first sight it is a bit overwhelming.
You know I’m just like you in that I used to be a very sociable ‘come to supper/dinner/lunch’ type of person. I now get stressed and tired cooking for others and don’t enjoy it nearly as much. But I’ve found a place called Cook which has very high quality frozen meals, and I sometimes buy a frozen main part of the meal from them and just add vegetables – that makes entertaining much easier.
Your cultural life sounds so good. Thanks Darby 🙂
Thanks Darby 🙂
This was a fascinating post! Enjoyed all your photos of the exhibit! Love that you have got “your groove” back on, Penny!! Both you and Jill look fabulous…and thank you for staying true to the spirit of your blog!
Stay strong! Stay healthy!
Charlene
Thank you Charlene for those kind words – it was great meeting up with Jill and dressing the way I did. It was such a good day out 🙂
Lucky you getting to see the Chanel exhibition. Glad you dressed up for the occasion. I’ve looked on the website but I really like to see how the garments were made as well as how they look. (I remember going to an exhibition of the Queen and Princess Margaret’s dresses and they had a dart across the bust area to define it. Not all the hems were even or invisible!) Of course I then started browsing the V&A website ; so many lovely things. I’m hoping to go to the Holbein exhibition at the Queen’s Gallery, somewhere I’ve not been before. Tea at Fortnum’s will follow! I’m no longer willing to stand in a damp field to see fireworks, much as I love them. Years ago we went to Glastonbury for the Somerset Winter Carnival and my daughter and family went this year. It’s an amazing spectacle which you can now see on YouTube. The autumn colour here in Hampshire has now come into it’s own. The Sir Harold Hillier Gardens are near us and we’ve been members for over 30 years so go often for a walk followed by tea and cake. We are having some sunny days at the moment but everywhere still so wet. At least we are on chalk so no flooding – feel so much for those who are affected.
Hi Lynda – you’ve come in twice but great to see you! Apparently one had to be quick to get tickets to the Chanel as tickets sold out soon after it opened. Thankfully I can do it as a member and very grateful for that too. I go enough times to the V&A to get my money back and more.
I remember an exhibition at Buckingham Palace of the Queen’s clothes which seemed to be of mainly her wonderful evening frocks and the colourful suits and hats, the suits shaped very much like the Chanel suit with boxy jackets and skirts without much of a waist. But wow, the Queen’s evening gowns were just as amazing as any in the Chanel and even the Diva exhibition although perhaps not as out there as Tina Turner’s 🤣 What we didn’t see was the Queen’s tweed skirts and wellies which she liked to wear in Scotland. I remember we thought that was one aspect of the Queen’s clothes that was missing.
You could spend weeks in the V&A and not see everything that is there, and the exhibits that are free are often just as interesting. But when the V&A decides to showcase a particular individual or designer, that’s when the V&A is at its best.
We decided we’d had enough of standing in the rain to watch the Bonfire procession (we did the last year) and watched it on Rocket FM – you don’t get the atmosphere though. The thing with the Lewes firework displays is that they are so very late, and me and Mr F like to be tucked up in bed well before the first firework is lit. We saw plenty of these displays though when we were younger.
The Autumn colours are lovely. Thanks Lynda 🙂
Sorry about the double reply. It seems to ‘take off’ before i’ve ticket the boxes!
Lucky you getting to see the Chanel exhibition. Glad you dressed up for the occasion. I’ve looked on the website but I really like to see how the garments were made as well as how they look. (I remember going to an exhibition of the Queen and Princess Margaret’s dresses and they had a dart across the bust area to define it. Not all the hems were even or invisible!) Of course I then started browsing the V&A website ; so many lovely things. I’m hoping to go to the Holbein exhibition at the Queen’s Gallery, somewhere I’ve not been before. Tea at Fortnum’s will follow! I’m no longer willing to stand in a damp field to see fireworks, much as I love them. Years ago we went to Glastonbury for the Somerset Winter Carnival and my daughter and family went this year. It’s an amazing spectacle which you can now see on YouTube. The autumn colour here in Hampshire has now come into it’s own. The Sir Harold Hillier Gardens are near us and we’ve been members for over 30 years so go often for a walk followed by tea and cake. We are having some sunny days at the moment but everywhere still so wet. At least we are on chalk so no flooding – feel so much for those who are affected.
Penny, I love your hair! It’s very youthful…
How lovely you got to meet up with Gail and Jill; blogger meet ups are such fun. I loved your outfit both you and Jill decided tulle skirts – you were very synchronised. I’ve tried twice with tulle skirts and given them away they make me look like a sugar plum fairy!
The exhibition at the V&A looks wonderful. I loved everything you featured in your photos of the Chanel clothes but oh, don’t you long for a bit of colour sometimes in amongst the grey, black and white?
I read you are wanting to get into writing even more and have reduced your blogging. I don’t think non-bloggers realise how terribly time consuming blogging is; especially if you like to respond to comments as you and I both do. Anyway, good for you and I hope you get heaps of writing done!
xxx
Penny, I love your hair! It’s very youthful…
How lovely you got to meet up with Gail and Jill; blogger meet ups are such fun. I loved your outfit both you and Jill decided tulle skirts – you were very synchronised. I’ve tried twice with tulle skirts and given them away they make me look like a sugar plum fairy!
The exhibition at the V&A looks wonderful. I loved everything you featured in your photos of the Chanel clothes but oh, don’t you long for a bit of colour sometimes in amongst the grey, black and white?
I read you are wanting to get into writing even more and have reduced your blogging. I don’t think non-bloggers realise how terribly time consuming blogging is; especially if you like to respond to comments as you and I both do. Anyway, good for you and I hope you get heaps of writing done!
xxx
It was a great day and so good to meet Jill who lives in Tasmania – I’m kind of sad that we may not meet again. Yes, totally agree about Chanel – she designed beautiful clothes but for a certain person who had a boyish figure and liked neutral colours.
And we both suit tulle very well. But I get what you say about tulle skirts as I brought quite a pricey new tulle skirt and it just made me feel and look fat – was so cross about that. The charity shop one though is to be treasured.
I’m taking most of January off to do the ‘stories’. If I attempt to write a memoir I never manage it (tried so many times) but if I write down a few of the stories I have in my head that might get me going. I’ve even tried these past few weeks and haven’t managed much at all. So I am going away to Dungeness for a week to start this whole process off. And then will continue at home for another couple of weeks. We’ll see what I can achieve then!
Thanks so much Veronica 🙂
I was nervous about what to wear before we met because you and Jill are such stylish dressers! I knew I couldn’t compete so went for something very simple. Lovely to meet Jill.
I’d love to see the Lewes Bonfire some time. It’s great to see there’s a historic re-enactment, even if it was a bit gruesome at the time.
You dressed absolutely perfectly in your own lovely style. meanwhile it was great to finally wear my tulle skirt up to London which I think went down very well and it was amazing that we dressed so similarly. One drawback though is that the skirt trailed on the floor when I sat down – had to be very careful with it!
Wasn’t it great to meet Jill, but I feel a bit sad that she lives so far away and the likelihood of meeting her again is slim. But hey, we can comment a lot on each other’s blogs. You know I think the friendships we make through blogging is a huge huge positive, so glad we have met each other and Jill.
As for the Lewes Bonfire experience. It used to be an enormous bunfight getting to Lewes on the night and the crowds were frighteningly enormous. The crowds are still big but mostly made up from Lewesians, as they close off the roads from 4.0pm to 2.0am the next morning, (parking on the roads is also banned) and there are no trains or buses from 4.0pm either. You’d have to book, I’d say two years in advance for a hotel room as next year will already be booked up and basically it’s very much a Lewes experience for Lewes people now. It’s really kind of primeval too, although there’s never any trouble, and what I didn’t say is that there is a very anti-Catholic and anti-government feel to the whole enterprise. Years ago when we first moved south, we were shocked at the stamping of the feet and the crowds chanting over and over again, burn the Pope, burn the Pope! They throw fireworks at Catholic Bishops and burn many effigies, like over the years, several Trumps and Putins, Cameron, all the PMs really with this year, two Rishi’s. Tbh, I’m, sorry to say it’s too much for us now as I got tinnitus from the firecrackers thrown by the marchers which always includes children and babies in pushchairs! if it’s mid week all the schools have a day off the day after Bonfire as they know many children will have participated. It is a huge tradition in Lewes. And I agree everyone should see this at least once!
I adore Chanel.
I love the “twin” picture: very iconic of both of your styles. I am glad you were able to meet up.
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It was amazing to meet up and a great exhibition too! Thanks so much Mireille 🙂