Back in the day, I’m talking maybe 2008-2009, I used to have a blog called Let’s Share Our Eyeballs where I would share some of my very favourite things that I came across. I think my tastes have evolved slightly since that time (in that I’m a little less obsessed with side fringes and lomography pics), but what has remained the same is a big old desire to share some things that I’m loving to look at, researching, and using as sources of inspiration. I feel like it can be a little hard to deep-dive share like this on social media, as story posts feel so fleeting/not my fav medium to do this sort of stuff in…so I felt like some good old fashioned blogging would really do the trick. So here we are! We’ve come full circle! I’m so thrilled to once again have an opportunity to share my eyeballs with you, and to let you know what I’ve been looking at so that maybe you can draw your own inspo from it too!

First up on my total obsession list is…

Mathilde Theodora Willink | I first became interested in Mathilde after seeing some images of her on pinterest. Who was this striking woman with long unicorn hair and butterfly eyes? She spoke to me, so of course I had to jump straight on the board on and go surfing the internet for some details on who this maven was. According to wikipedia, she was a fancy, society figure from the Netherlands and a true fashion icon (very often wearing the GLORIOUS designs of Fong Leng (who I’ll be drooling over momentarily).

Mathilde Willink, image source unknown.

At 20 she married the dutch painter Carel Willink, and I do love that his work is described as magical or imaginary realism because of its hyper-photo realistic style that depicted surreal / dream like subject matter. I’m VERY into it, and it’s hard not feel like Mathilde embodies the very spirit of ‘magical realism’ as she appears totally otherworldly to me.

Carel Willink’s works from left to right. 1900-1983.

I watched a few youtube clips of her doing interviews and she really struck me as such a huge presence with suchhhhh individuality and confidence. I love how many of the clothes she wore (particularly by Fong Leng) were described by her as armour and protection. I totally connect with that point of view - the idea that when you wear clothes that express who you are, you can be empowered / made to feel more yourself and therefore attain almost magical powers. Gosh I would have loved to send her a splash of tinsel. Just look at this vision….

VERY SPOOKILY, 4 months after the pair divorced she was found dead in her bed…with the details of what exactly happened still unclear to. this. day. YIKES. A very sad end for such a delightful person. I’m so glad we can continue to remember, celebrate, and draw inspiration from her wonderful and unapologetic expression of who she was. Speaking of which, let’s turn our eyeballs to….

Fong Leng | Ooooo Jeez! Will you cop a look at these designs?? Fong Leng!! What a total powerhouse! Visionary! Wonder woman! I discovered her whilst looking into Mathilde, as of course I was immediately like “Who on earth is making these insanely profound metalic leather dresses and pleated treasures??”. Turns out - it was Fong Leng! A chinese-dutch fashion designer, I loveeee that she started off selling her pieces at a Drugstore in Amsterdam before swiftly opening her very own Studio Fong Leng. Before starting up a label, she studied photography and only later developed a true passion for fashion after coming into contact with stunning fabrics whilst working as a photographer for a jersey manufacturer. Just shows how whatever creative path you’re on, you never know where something might lead!

Fong Leng in Studio, date unknown.

Reading about Studio Fong Leng I definitely got some deep pangs of fomo for the fashion soirees and get togethers they would have to release her collections (what do you call fomo when the event happened over 45 years ago ). It seemed she really pioneered the concept of an in-store VIP event, gathering socialites and brand enthusiasts for champagne and try on sessions…god it sounds like a great time.

Like a good internet researcher I was thrilled to stumble upon Fong Leng’s current facebook page and see that she still a creative lady-about-town. Like a good facebook stalker, I also found that recently a film has been made about her called Diva Fong Leng - well there is my next sewing session entertainment SORTED. You can actually watch the whole thing on vimeo (below). There are no subtitles, but it still makes for beautiful viewing imho.

Okay, the last thing I wanted to share with your eyeballs are these two films I keep seeing stills from. One is called The Red Shoes (1948) and the other is The Tales of Hoffman (1951) - both starring another profound girl crush of mine, Moira Shearer. I wanted to mention both of these films in this post, because it seems to tap into the aesthetic/vibes of both Fong Leng and Mathilde and I have to say I am obsesssssssed with the stills from these films. I keep turning to them for inspiration, and I think I want to experiment with some wild eye/cheek makeup for an upcoming shoot.

Gah! There are so many things that are really floating my boat when it comes to these films. Firstly, obviously all the costumes in all the colours make me feel a bit dizzy with joy. Just technicolour bliss! I also love the dramatic use of makeup paired with very surreal orb and dainty floral accessories. Goodness me, all the little flower crowns and ear cuffs I DIE. I’m also loving how it’s making me think of the Gucci Showtime presentation from 2019 - Tales of Hoffman particularly reminds me of it with the dramatic canary yellows, splashes of turquoise, all those thin pencilled on brows, and just the whole theatricality of everything.

Gucci Showtime, 2019. STUNNING.

Gosh, isn’t that Gucci clip is a real delicious treat for the eyeballs. I think I could see both Fong Leng and Mathilde Willink in all these films, swanning around and having a very ‘magical realist’ time.

Alright, that’s enough from me for now! Hope your eyeballs have enjoyed looking at this stuff! Leave me a comment below if there is something that tickles your fancy about this post, or if you find inspiration with these sources too.

Stay shiny,

Rach x