Carven: what goes around in fashion…
Some of my more fashion-conscious readers may have noticed that when I appeared on Daybreak yesterday, I was wearing a blue Carven dress with a high white stand up collar.
Carven is a particularly fashionable label at present and the white stand-up colour is also very much on trend at the moment. Everyone at ITV loved the dress but it has to be said that sitting down on air didn’t really do it justice!
What no one else will have known, however, is that there was a very personal reason for my choice of outfit. The purchase was inspired by this photo, taken 115 years ago in 1897, which shows my great grandmother, Lizzie Alice Wilkin-Marshall, wearing her own stand up white collar!
I think she was about 19 when this photo was taken. Sadly she died just a few years later in 1901, days after giving birth to my grandmother, who was her first and only child. Childbirth was a dangerous undertaking in those days. So my grandmother grew up never knowing her own mother, and this photo was more or less all she had of her.
When my grandmother died in 1984 I inherited the photo.
‘What goes around comes around’ holds true for many areas of life, and that certainly includes fashion. Old styles and forgotten cuts so often reappear in the collections of designers in search of fresh inspiration.
I couldn’t help but think of my great grandmother Lizzie and my own dear Grandmother, when I appeared before the cameras yesterday. I think they would have approved!
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7 Comments
DT on October 18, 2012 at 4:01 pm
Good for you Marilyn
I’m constructing my own family tree at the minute (with the help of a friendly genealogist).
Sadly, I don’t have any pictures as old as yours to match the names we’re coming up with, but it’s nice to pay tribute to our ancestors I think.
Such an old photo is a real rarity. I’m glad it’s been treasured.
Marilyn Stowe on October 18, 2012 at 4:04 pm
Its a sad story but I do think my granny would be thrilled that I’ve written of them together in this way.
Marilyn
DT on October 18, 2012 at 4:30 pm
I think what you’ve done is a lovely way to pay tribute to them both.
Carol Miller on November 21, 2012 at 1:40 pm
I know its not relevant but where did you get your lovely dress you wore on this morning today wednesday 21st November.
Marilyn Stowe on November 21, 2012 at 2:02 pm
Hi Carol
Thanks very much. Its Ralph Lauren.
Best wishes
Marilyn
Arnold Morris on January 17, 2013 at 8:39 pm
I’m very proud that you are my daughter and don’t ever forget it. Granny would forgo any luxury just to read your blogs.
Dad.
9 Jan 2013 Text to Dad from me:-
Love u dad. Hope u r ok 8.36am
Reply from Dad:-
Ithe same. There is not another one.x 9.12 am
DT on January 17, 2013 at 8:45 pm
That’s a lovely tribute Mr M.
Xx