Dark flower and gold universe.

   When you look up at night what is the first thing that you see? No, not the stars or the polluted air, airplanes flying past or what ever you think you see I bet you are not thinking of the obvious. What I see when I look up at the sky during night time is Black. The color that isn't a color but a shade yet some say is a color. No! it is a shade of course. A value from light to dark. Today thinking about the post it came to me how design has made a Shade fashionable and popular. Something that is worn traditionally by civil servants, religious clerics (say monks), e.t.c. Any type of person who is made to conform, or in a group of people or society where conformity is a norm. Yes most of the time it is not black, but the shade of a color is dark mainly. Also I find that Gothic themes and styles are very much an influence in today's culture and style. And actually Gothic fashion was found in Victorian's cult style in the 19th century. European cultures from different era were influenced by each other, now it has gone from something that is meant as evil (witches) or negative to mysterious, sexy and stylish. Black in fashion or the use of it's value in color  tone is important and unique. It has a double nature. Unlike other color implementations. You can't really have a green police officer, pink, yellow or bright red. But you can use them in fashion as much as you want to mix and match to your heart's desires. Yet with black, it can be used for anything. Any scenario of fashion. 

    Also another thing i noticed in paintings of old, and traditions which span time. Black seems to be used as a way to highlight the persons attention to the ornaments, accessories, gold, silver e.t.c. It makes the accessories pop out bright and bold against a dark background. (Especially Byzantine's clothes style with those magnificent accessories are so much inspiration.)The same rule as in art, make the background darker than the foreground subject to make him/her stand out. 

Hair accessories from japanese Zakka shop

Collar from Ebay

Necklace by Ejing Zhang

Top by MSGM

Skirt and heels by Topshop

Tights by Bebaroque

illustration by Nancy.Z

photography by M. Yu

Photo shoot at Ritz Hotel

Color Inspiration.

Inspiration 2-Victorian's black outfit.

Embroidering details of 19th century, Victorian style

Theda Bara's looks have inspired by Gothic fashion a lot.

Accessories inspiration-Princess Theodora(11th century), Byzantine Empress