Article: Through the looking glass

Originally published 3/03/10 on http://www.bellesmanifesto.blogspot.com/

 

Alice had managed to miss Wonderland and fall straight into Miss Selfridge.

  With the release of Tim Burton's tantalisingly twisted version of Alice in Wonderland just around the corner, it seems that the whole world has caught Alice-mania. Even the high street has chosen to cash-in on this lucrative little trend with establishments from Urban Outfitters to Urban Decay paying tribute to Lewis Carroll's trippy fantasy fairytale. If buzz-words like 'contrary wise' and 'nonsensical' are tickling your fashion fancy, follow us down the rabbit hole while we show you where you can get your wonderful Wonderland-themed pieces. We're all mad here (mad for Alice that is).

Urban Decay have released this luscious limited edition 'Book of Shadows'; featuring sixteen best-selling Eyeshadows, a travel size Eyeshadow Primer Potion and two 24/7 Eye Pencils all in an adorable pop-up Alice case. (£28).

   American Brand OPI have released four Wonderland inspired nail colours, ('Thanks So Muchness', 'Absolutely Alice', 'Mad as a Hatter' and 'Off With Her Red!'). (£9.95/each).

Paul and Joe have created these gorgeous limited edition tins in two Alice designs - 'Fantasy' and 'Daydream', each contains Blotting Paper, (with mirror), Blotting Paper refills and a Lip Treatment Stick in 'Milky Pink' or 'Sheer Orange'. (Available from http://www.asos.com/  and Harrods at £25/each).

  Urban Outfitters are currently selling these cute 'Junk Food' and 'Truly Madly Deeply' tees. (Prices ranging from £25 to £28).

Miss Selfridge feature a line of Mad Hatter, Alice, White Rabbit, Cheshire Cat and Red Queen themed tees and vests. (Prices ranging from £16 to £20).

Topshop join the teaparty with a cropped sweatshirt and 'Tea and Cake' necklace (sweatshirt £25, necklace £10).

The 'Tom Binns for Disney Couture' collection offers 35 pieces of uniquely designed jewellery; earrings, bracelets, rings and necklaces inspired by characters such as the Talking Flowers, White Rabbit and the Red Queen. (Available from http://www.asos.com/ , prices ranging from £12 to £148).

Manchester based jewellery designer Janine Byrom has created a line of one-off, vintage-style Alice in Wonderland Charm bracelets and necklaces, available on her website - http://cherishedtrinkets.co.uk/   (prices range from £12 to £38).

Or, if all else fails then log on to http://www.myvintagecharms.com/  pick up some chains, clasps and charms, (see above), and get creating your very own uniquely Wonderland one-offs!

I Hate: Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland

Originally published 20/09/10 in The Mancunion

"Curiouser and curiouser"

 

 The classic, quintessentially British story continues 13 years on, as Alice (aged 19) returns to find that her once magical Wonderland (now war-torn Underworld) has fallen under the tyrannical rule of the Red Queen. Aided by a few fan favourites, Alice sets out on a quest; to find the Vorpal Sword, liberate her friends, and lead the White Queen’s army to victory against the Red Queen, her legion of cards and the fearsome Jabberwocky on the Frapjous Day.

  An avid Alice fan, I was deeply disappointed with Burton’s rendition. Though plentiful at first, references to Carroll’s original text are treated with reckless abandon. A fast-paced start sees the story flit from idea to idea, in a seemingly desperate bid to cram as much Wonderland as possible into Burton’s 'Underworld’; never dwelling on one idea long enough to fully establish it and with no regard for the context in which it is shown. These sporadic glimpses will, no doubt, delight devoted fans, while serving as a confusing distraction to those unfamiliar with the text. 

  Mia Wasikowska’s Alice is petulant, dim-witted and at times, more than slightly irritating; while Depp’s portrayal of the deliciously deranged Mercury-addled hatter, appears at first glance to be nothing more than a combination of Captain Jack Sparrow and Willy Wonka.

  In typical Burton style, stripy socks, unnervingly twisted flash-backs, and Helena Bonham Carter are in abundance; (no one could mistake this for any other director) and Tim makes the almost unforgivable mistake of detailing the ending at the start of the film. This film is "almost Alice", and most certainly not "absolutely Alice".