Blanched Out

img_9101.jpg

From a Sunday afternoon spent cosied up in the BFI watching a re-run of A Streetcar Names Desire (the Vivien Leigh/Marlon Brando version of course…) came a few of my own Blanche DuBois moments… not in the strictest periodic form but more derived from the character; wanting to be hidden from all light, a fading youth, expressing a vanity in rags and jewels that she believes to be expensive and lavish…

All throughout the film, particularly at the scene where Blanche is deluded to the point of speaking to imaginary guests while dressed up in all her ‘finery’, I couldn’t help but be reminded of my own masses of false finery…

-"Honey, will you get my blue net out for me?"

Img_9101

-"It certainly looks like you raided some stylish shops of Paris, Blanche."
-"Clothes are my passion!"

Img_9054
Img_9111

"After all, a woman’s charm is fifty percent illusion…"

Img_9081

"Take a look at yourself here in a worn-out Mardi Gras outfit, rented for 50 cents from some rag-picker. And with a crazy crown on."

Img_9108

"Whoever you are, I have always depended on the kindness of strangers."

Img_9125

42 comments

  9. Stunning post & pictures! I loved Vivien Leigh’s Blanche Dubois, she was brilliant!
    I just have to say it again: love love love the pictures, as well as the outfits (especially the 1st, 2nd & 4th)! GORGEOUS!

  10. What a delightful mini-editorial! I especially love . . . well . . . all the outfits, actually.

  12. What gorgeous pictures you took. I love the cage outfit.
    Ive never seen a streetcar name desire though. I quite wish I had, now.
    Do a vlog Susie! I wanna hear your voice again!

  13. Love that movie. Sometimes I feel like Blanche too. Especially when I open my closet and see all this vintage veils and vintage fur hanging out!

  21. I’m picking my jaw off the floor. You haven’t dones these types of posts for a while. Long may they live. Just gorgeous images.

  22. Ah! That is one of my favorite movies of all time and biggest inspirations. I love these pics too, the outfits are so fitting and great (as usual). And the candle was a nice touch.

  27. I played Blanche in college. I thought about doing a post themed around her, but I can’t bring myself to watch the movie yet. Especially since they changed the freaking ending.

  29. These looks are very nice interpretations of the Blanche persona. Well done, Susie. I like this very much.

  30. Love the pictures!!
    Could you tell me where all those clothes came from ? (especially the dress in the first pic. Gorgeous!)

  31. These pictures are nothing short of absolutely beautiful!
    I too, love the first dress especially – please, where is it from?
    But your face is what makes the pictures: you just look astonishingly delicate and totally gorgeous all at once!
    WOW WOW WOW!

  32. Lovely photoshoot. This is a bit embarassing to admit, but I’ve never seen the movie, so whenever someone mentions ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’ I think of the episode of The Simpsons where Marge plays Blanche in the musical.

  33. Hmm wearing the cage under something else is something I would have never considered! You wear it well.

  35. Such a creative concept. I love how well the lines tie together with the outfits and photos. This should be in Dazed, Susie! 🙂

  36. Susie, did you yell
    “hey Stelllaaaaaaaa!” like in the movie?
    It’s my favourite scene!
    It’s referenced so much in pop culture, like in The Simpsons and in Seinfeld when Elaine yells it.
    Makes me laugh every time!
    laura x

  37. Beautiful. But you are a lovely young blossom who could never capture the heartbreaking faded-beauty quality of Blanche DuBoise. Maybe in 40 years…..
    I don’t think you’ve ever looked this sexy, though!

Comments are closed.