The Artful Dodgson

Dearest Emily,

Your Grand-mother GiGi is having a fine old time approaching our investigations of dead-people through the froth on the coffee aspect of fashion. It's just such a good way in, Em. As James Laver said- 'Clothes are the furniture of the mind made visible'. A truer word was never said, Em.
Take our 'Artful Dodgson' par example...

Quintin F. Twiss as "The Artful Dodger."

Dodgson took this photograph very early on in his photographic career. Twiss was an undergraduate at Oxford, and at the time an Amateur Actor ( this was taken a good ten years before Twiss starred in the West End Musical 'Cox and Box' along-side George du Maurier, and the 'Moray Minstrels' who included Kate, Ellen and Florence Terry.

There's so many interesting clues here Emily. Dodgson had been invited to a social gathering at Twiss'es. So, he looked at the expressive character in front of him, and asked to photograph him.

Dressing him first in a sailor suit, and then as one of his favourite author's character's Dickens 'Artful Dodger', he art-directed, styled and did the post-production and marketing- by promising a set of prints that evening- dashing round to Rymans the printers- getting them to agree to deal with the sale of the photographs.

Which he succeeded in, and by the time the party was started, Dodgson's proofs were on display with a note of where they could be bought. Twenty-five prints were purchased that night.

Dodgson the entrepreneur as well.

He had 'bet on a good horse'. Twiss became a part of the circles in which Dodgson very much desired to move in. Du Maurier became a friend, as did the Terry family. Dodgson felt a useful part in the bohemian backstage culture, as friend and confidante to the actors, their attentive critic and supporter.

More-over he drew his own aesthetic from the theatrical world he admired. He gathered costume for his photographic shoots- which he continued to stage and style himself from an increasing store in his 'dressing up box'. 

Dodgson was perhaps somewhat surprising to report- rather sartorially obsessed. His own peculiar style  meant always wearing a clerics coat ( whatever the weather ) a Top-hat, grey or black gloves, a walking cane, and gladstone bag filled with games and inventions for train journeys. He wore his hair long for the fashion of the day. He never dressed for dinner- wearing what he had put on that morning.

Dodgson as a young Don at Oxford with Alice Liddell- a 'Carte de Visite'

Returning to the context of my critical lens Emily- this just suits rather well as a way to look in.

Going back to a previous post- when I was feeling all of a stutter about the notion of attempting a PhD, and disgraced myself humungously in my first soujourn into academise. Dear D.B.H was all out-of-shape and my lovely Prof. Bob suggesting I have a little re-think.

Well, I'm encouraged dear Em, Bob took my title and put it forwards as a suggested topic for workshops at Dimbola, and has a speaker already in the academic field who works within the subject!

Hurrah! Onwards and sideways...

Let's give the wonderful original that was James Lavers the last word. Here is 'Lavers Law';

Indecent	10 years before its time
Shameless	5 years before its time
Outré (Daring)	1 year before its time
Smart	'Current Fashion'
Dowdy	1 year after its time
Hideous	10 years after its time
Ridiculous	20 years after its time
Amusing	30 years after its time
Quaint	50 years after its time
Charming	70 years after its time
Romantic	100 years after its time
Beautiful	150 years after its time

So, Emily, here's to a 'Beautiful Study!

Night-night,

Your ever-loving Grand-Mother,

GiGi xxx