Victorian Architecture Meets Modern Fashion

I've been lucky enough to live in several different historic homes over the past decade, and I am continually amazed by how beautiful and varied the architecture is.  Today I was feeling particularly inspired and dug up some great fashion shots based on a few of the homes from in and around my neighborhood in Springfield, Massachusetts.

Forest Park/Lady Moriarty

Hill McKnight/Jamour

Mattoon Street/Playing with Fire

Forest Park/So Much to Wear

I got to thinking about all the ways Victorian fashion has been modernized in recent years.  Just look at all the Victorian-style boots on the market or even more specifically at DKNY's winter 2009/2010 collection.

  
  

Women's platform boot by Giuseppe Zanotti $602
Georgia boot by Loeffler Randall $375
Satin button-up ankle boot by Balmain $777
Larner boot by Aldo $80
Donna Karan New York Winter 2009/2010 Collection

One of the challenges of living in a beautifully preserved historic neighborhood is that, unlike fashion, modernizing them in any way is almost impossible, due to legal restrictions, exorbitant costs, or logistical issues.  So I was interested to discover this house, known as the Vader House, in Melbourne, Australia, which is a modern addition to a Victorian-era building.  I won't go into detail here, you can learn all about it Arch Daily, but here are a few images and a sketch of how the building emerged and got around various regulations.  It's really a fascinating read!

 
 

GET THE LOOK: THE VADER HOUSE

In honor of today's architectural comparisons and look at modernized Victorian style, here is a look inspired by the Vader House.  It captures both the historic and modern touches which make the house so unique, and make the look such a perfect blend of vintage and contemporary.  Enjoy!

    

    

Grey luxury retro Victorian a-line coat by yystudio $398
Pins and Needles high-waisted side-button pant from Urban Outfitters $30
Vintage blouse with high neckline from folieAdeuxVintage $32
Odela Bootie from GUESS by Marciano $124
Vintage red coral purse from REiNViNTAGE $30