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Sunglasses | Earrings | Jacket | Cover-up | Bag | Heel
This month, in honor of my favorite holiday, Valentine's Day, I am inspired by the greatest love stories of all time. However, the most popular version of the origin of Valentine's Day actually began with a true tragedy. Catholic Emperor Claudius decided unmarried men made for better soldiers, so he made marriage for young men illegal. Saint Valentine rightly felt this to be unjust, and was said to have defied this law by performing marriage ceremonies for young lovers in secret. As a result, he was ordered to be put to death.
True love has arguably been described best by famed Sufi poet Rumi:
"Through Love all that is bitter will be sweet, Through Love all that is copper will be gold, Through Love all dregs will become wine, through Love all pain will turn to medicine."
Very often throughout history, love stories have also been tragedies. Egyptian Queen Cleopatra and Roman Mark Antony were lovers caught in political turmoil, eventually committing suicide together to avoid capture. These Oscar De La Renta earrings could have been a gift from Mark to the Queen, and this Mara Hoffman cover-up is reminiscent of the caftans commonly worn in Egypt even today.
The Taj Mahal, often noted as the ultimate declaration of love, was actually a mausoleum created by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan for his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal, who died during childbirth. The design on this bold bag by Popinjay reflects the geometric patterns used to build the structure, a design mastered by artisans during the Mughal empire.
Most everyone knows the love story of John Lennon and Yoko Ono, famed literature characters Romeo and Juliet, and (even it it’s own twisted way) Humbert Humbert and Lolita. A mirrored pair of round sunglasses is a fresh take on John’s iconic eyewear, and the mixed-material heel by Nicholas Kirkwood, at one time edgy and beautiful, reflect the twists and turns of bad romance.
But love shouldn't only be celebrated after it is gone. I propose we look for it in nature, fashion, and especially in the mundane. We should all take a moment to appreciate the love all around us, and of course take this advice from Kanye West:
If you admire somebody, you should go ahead and tell them.
People never get the flowers while they can still smell them.
Source: Simon Style Setter
