Constance Spry at work
(image from here)
“Dress by Schiaperelli,
photographs by Cecil Beaton,
flowers by Constance Spry –
The decorator of the moment,
the photographer of the moment,
the florist of the moment –
what more could you ask?” Vogue 1937 (of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor's wedding)
Everything you wanted to know about Constance Spry but were afraid to ask (here): A delightful looking read ,256 pages, of Constance by Sue Shephard to be specific:
'Any new book from Sue Shephard, whose meticulous research & quirky writing style enlivens any subject, is a happy event, but this fascinating account of the life of a woman who changed so much for my generation is to be eagerly awaited & devoured.' --Clarissa Dickson-Wright
It is interesting to note that in 2004 an exhibition of Spry's work at the Design Museum caused Terence Conran to describe Spry's work at 'high-society mimsiness':James Dyson said 'shallow style.'' There were many defenders of the Spry lady- but bested by the poet James Fenton saying 'When you visit one of Conran's shops and find some amusing table decoration-a nice little aquarium full of broad beans or whatever some zany fetching assistant has thought up that day-all that derives from Constance Spry. The starting point of her philosophy was that wild flowers and weeds could be pressed into service, just as much as tuberoses. One could indeed spend a fortune. One could also spend next to nothing. This was the source of her popular appeal. It's fun. It's dashing, perhaps unacceptable. It's part of the uncensored history of design.' (from the Guardian)*
Pity these two could not see it, not to mention surprising.
Flowers of Fennel and Orange Lilies,
1951
Decorative Kale Leaves,
1937
Soft Pink Colourings,
1951
1951
The book is not available in the states yet, must go to amazon uk to get Spry. go now to pre order.
the Aesthete Cooks with Constance Spry TODAY! here
go to getty images here to see Spry in action with fashions by Victor Stiebel from 1934.
* British Vogue April 2010
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