#victoriancore

Challenge starting with a challenge™ it's like they know I can barely draw people :P But v happy w/ this, v happy it's finally Inktober. Last year's inktober kickstarted my art journey so this means a LOT to me. Comparison (?) under the cut

Beauty, sensuality, art for art's sake.

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. But it was the most Victorian of times, that much is certain. There was also a lot going on during this period, not least the emergence of a dark, elaborate, and literary fashion—one that would leave its mark well beyond the close of the 19th century.

We have curated just a few of these opulent delights for you this Thursday, January 11, in the hope that you live romantically, sensually, and broodingly. Like the bon vivants you so deserve.

The Cameo Comeback: Why Glass & Resin are the Unsung Heroes of Vintage Style

In the world of vintage jewelry, there’s a common myth that if a cameo isn't hand-carved from a seashell or a piece of agate, it’s "just a costume piece." But if we look at the history of fashion, the rise of the molded glass and resin cameo is actually a story of rebellion, innovation, and making beauty accessible to everyone.

Beyond the Shell: A New Kind of Craft

For centuries, cameos were status symbols reserved for the elite. They were tiny, expensive sculptures carved by hand. However, by the mid-20th century, designers began experimenting with molded glass (often called glass paste or glass vitrail).

Why this was a game-changer:

• Precision: Molded glass allowed for incredibly crisp, sharp details that are sometimes even finer than soft shell carvings.

• The "Noir" Aesthetic: You can’t get a true, deep "midnight black" from a seashell. Glass allowed for that high-contrast, moody look that defines the Dark Academia and Goth-inspired jewelry we love today.

• Durability: Unlike shell, which can dry out and crack over decades, glass and high-quality resin are much heartier. They are "survivors" of the vintage world.

New Old Stock: A Time Capsule in Your Hands

The pieces I’ve been working with lately are New Old Stock or NOS (like the piece pictured!) This means they were manufactured decades ago (often in the 1950s-70s) but were never sold or worn.

When you wear a glass or resin cameo from a NOS collection, you aren't wearing a "modern reproduction"—you are wearing a piece of history that has been waiting in a time capsule for you to find it. It has the soul of the era it was made in, but the pristine condition of something brand new.

How to Style the "Modern Victorian"

You don't need a corset or a ballroom gown to rock a cameo. In fact, they look best when they’re clashing with modern styles:

1. The Layered Look: Pair a long 26” lanyard cameo with shorter silver chains.

2. The Professional Edge: Wear a bold black-and-white cameo over a crisp white button-down or a structured blazer.

3. Whimsigoth Vibes: Match a cream-on-black cameo with velvet textures and celestial prints.

The takeaway? Don't let the material fool you. Whether it’s carved from a shell or molded in a mid-century glass factory, a cameo is a portal to the past. It’s a way to carry a story with you.

It’s your collection, collect what makes you happy!

Court Ball in Vienna

Wilhelm Gause