“But I don’t want to go among mad people,” Alice remarked.
“Oh, you can’t help that,” said the Cat: “we’re all mad here. I’m mad. You’re mad.”
“How do you know I’m mad?” said Alice.
“You must be,” said the Cat, “or you wouldn’t have come here.”
When Alice jumped down the rabbit hole, she invoked one of literature’s greatest metaphors – Wonderland; a place neither scrupulous nor safe but an escape…a magnificent, manic escape where anything is possible. Strangeness lurks around every corner, cajoling us to join – and, really, how can we resist the enchanting lunacy of a flamingo-wielding despot or a floating, philosophising cat? Fashion certainly hasn’t!
When Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland rolled out in 1865, popular culture bit down with the vice-like grip of a rabid dog and has held on for 150 years – shaking all manner of style and swagger out of Alice and her potty posse. The existential themes that pervade Wonderland have transcended time and Alice-inspired fashion has followed the consciousness of the society into which it was born.
No matter what time and year ‘Alice garb’ has made a comeback, it has always been enveloped in the whimsy and theatre of Lewis’s books, which is what makes it so freaking cool…and with the imminent release of Through the Looking Glass (May 27-ish, 2016), the follow up film to Tim Burton’s crazyass ‘Alice’ interpretation, a fashion frenzy is on the cards. In fact, it’s already started!
In January, favourite Purple Heels brand Irregular Choice rolled out a flamingo-themed concept heel collection, which is available online NOW (we’re assuming the influence) and followed up with the first shoe in its Alice in Wonderland collection – a GORgeous extravaganza of florescent floral and colour, with a Disney-style Alice heel.
The Queen of Hearts is never one to be ignored and in her honour, Disney has filled up a modern handbag (Chloé) inspired by the maniacal monarch herself – featuring a necklace from The Terrier and Lobster, a keychain from Tory Burch, an embossed patent leather card case from Marc by Marc Jacobs and, of course, a bright red lipstick for touch-ups. Check the kit out HERE.
And in keeping with the mad allure of Alice and the inimitable style that she has inspired since her inception, Purple Heels has carefully crafted a stunning range of collectibles. Some notables are Loungefly’s Disney Alice in Wonderland Trifold Wallet and the We’re All Mad Here Hobo Bag. Disney’s stuff is always fab and we’ve sourced an Alice in Wonderland Adult Watch & Box that will look stunning with any of the super suave jumpers, tank tops available in the Purple Heels shop as well as Disney’s Alice in Wonderland Checkered Tote Handbag. Our full Alice range can be viewed HERE and in the words of the walrus:
“The time has come to talk of many things: Of shoes and ships – and sealing wax – of cabbages and kings.”