Fashion
in the Time of Tudor
by
stdwynwen
The
Comtesse is as formidable as you would imagine.
She is a woman of many secrets and keeps them well hidden. The interview
took place at the Stone Cold castle. The Comtesse was gracious enough to invite
me to stay the weekend. This reporter is a little fuzzy on what transpired
directly after the interview. Luckily my notes were intact. The following is the transcript of that interview.
Interviewer: Comtesse Ariane I wish to thank you on
behalf of the Fashion Plateau’s loyal readers. As a woman of distinction
and undeniable good taste it is a privilege to be able to sit down with you this evening.
Comtesse: My pleasure.
Interviewer: What I would like to focus on is your fashion influence on the men in your life. It is well documented you influenced some of the young great artistic talents of the
day Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo to name a few.
Comtesse: Yes, they told me I had interesting features. I do like to inspire young talent.
Interviewer: I would like to discuss the handsome Captain Valois, please inform
our readers your thoughts on his fashion taste.
Comtesse: He
looked quite dashing in his royal blue uniform, did he not? I thought the metal
braids and in particularly the embroidery adequately displayed the good Captain’s attributes. His tastes on many occasions matched my own. I’ve always
compared my Captain to a fine wine, to be sipped slowly and savored. When we first
met Valois he was not a Captain.
Interviewer: Really?
Comtesse: He was a common soldier. I
took notice of him as my carriage passed by his camp. I thought he showed remarkable
potential. His style of dress at the time was not entirely unappealing; nonetheless
he did emanate as one who would benefit from my personal touch.
Interviewer: What was he wearing?
Comtesse: Very little.
Interviewer
<intrigued>: I see.
Comtesse: Once
I schooled him in dressing for success he quickly moved up the ranks.
At this point one of the Comtesse’s servitors
approached and poured us a wonderful
Amontillado.
I was grateful for the interruption,
though I could have used something with ice in it. It was becoming noticeably
warm in the room.
Interviewer: Perhaps we could move on to D’Argent. In my research I discovered he was also known as the man in black. Did you have something to do with his sobriquet?
Comtesse: Yes, indeed. It was I who persuaded D’Argent to adorn the color. A stroke of inspiration I thought. One night as I was
‘tutoring him’ the notion struck me how particularly delicious he would look in black. I believe black to be a very attractive color, don’t
you?
Interviewer
<with a dreamy expression on her face>: Yes I do, in fact, there’s
a man named Johnny Ring….
Comtesse
<not really listening>: Pity really.
Interviewer
<confused>: Pity? What do you mean?
Comtesse: The good D’Argent has graduated in more ways than one.
Interviewer: You don’t mean? You didn’t?
I could have used
another stiff belt of Amontillado
right about then. Not
wanting to press for details I thought
it best to change the subject.
Interviewer: What is your response to the rumors that the
dress we’ve seen you in was not, in fact, the fashion of the late
15th century but rather the 17th century?
Comtesse <visibly annoyed>: Rumors started by tedious peasants no doubt. I presume they still hold a grudge. My
response would be - I am a woman for all centuries who never falls from fashion.
Interviewer: Well, thank you again, Comtesse, for sharing your truly interesting insights
with the Fashion Plateau.
Comtesse: The pleasure was mine, I assure you. Perhaps I could persuade you to stay for the weekend. You are a bit underdressed;
we will have to provide you with something more suitable. Tell me, have you ever
considered becoming a blonde?
The Comtesse rose and took my arm and lead me to the stairway. She wore a smile that indicated I was in for an interesting weekend.
