Stuff

IN PRAISE OF ELSE von FREYTAG-LORINGHOVEN

IN PRAISE OF ELSE von FREYTAG-LORINGHOVEN

Last night, I was reading about the amazing Dada artist, poet and living artwork, Else von Freytag-Loringhoven.
CRISTIN MILIOTI WEARS THE VAMPIRE’S WIFE

CRISTIN MILIOTI WEARS THE VAMPIRE’S WIFE

Cristin Milioti, award-winning actress, writer, producer and singer wears The Vampire’s Wife.
WARNING. LISTEN AT OWN RISK. NO. 19

WARNING. LISTEN AT OWN RISK. NO. 19

“Hey, babe.” That’s my husband. “Check this out. It is a song by the most famous Lebanese singer of them all, Fairouz.
TOOTS THIELEMANS AND MIDNIGHT COWBOY

TOOTS THIELEMANS AND MIDNIGHT COWBOY

This lovely message came through from Roseanna from Colorado. Yes, I love this footage from the great Toots Thielemans.
GEMS OF LOVE ALONG THE WAY

GEMS OF LOVE ALONG THE WAY

I love this little book on a Sunday—Thoughts of Idle Hours—published in 1915.
KATE TEMPEST—PEOPLE’S FACES

KATE TEMPEST—PEOPLE’S FACES

I love this call for. universal and inclusive compassion from the ferociously talented Kate Tempest
FREDERICO GARCIA LORCA – THE WIND WATCHES WATCHES

FREDERICO GARCIA LORCA – THE WIND WATCHES WATCHES

Last week was the anniversary of the death of the great Spanish poet Frederico García Lorca.
LET ME UNFOLD YOU

LET ME UNFOLD YOU

After hearing the beautiful Cocteau Twins song on The Stuff Page a couple of weeks ago...  
WHO IS THAT MASKED WOMAN?

WHO IS THAT MASKED WOMAN?

The wild and wonderful Floria Sigismondi, filmmaker and photographer, who directed the glorious Gucci Bloom film...
THE BRILLIANT HERA LINDSAY BIRD

THE BRILLIANT HERA LINDSAY BIRD

Spent the weekend giggling and gasping my way through the delightfully atrocious high-voltage poetry of Hera Lindsay Bird.
GOD’S VOICE

GOD’S VOICE

Someone called Konstanzia sent this to my husband’s wonderful Red Hand Files and he asked me if I would put it up on The Stuff Page.
THE WANT OF YOU BY ANGELINA GRIMKÉ

THE WANT OF YOU BY ANGELINA GRIMKÉ

A beautiful little poem of grief by Angelina Weld Grimké. I love the delicate hint or memory of nature filling the void. 
FLORIA SIGISMONDI WEARS THE VAMPIRE’S WIFE

FLORIA SIGISMONDI WEARS THE VAMPIRE’S WIFE

The amazing Floria Sigismondi, (who wrote and directed the wonderful biopic The Runaways...
Who is that Masked Woman?

Who is that Masked Woman?

The wonderful Devon Ross—a woman we’ve been seeing a lot lately wears The Vampire’s Wife Pink Gingham Mask.
INTENSE BEAUTY

INTENSE BEAUTY

Manuel from Lisbon sent this beautiful performance to my husband’s Red Hand Files.
THE VAMPIRE CAT T SHIRT

THE VAMPIRE CAT T SHIRT

The Vampire’s Wife launch a new t shirt today. The gorgeous VAMPIRE CAT T SHIRT is based on a drawing by one of my favourite illustrators.
HOPE – A POEM AND A PAINTING

HOPE – A POEM AND A PAINTING

Hope by Alice Dunbar-Nelson. Wild seas of tossing, writhing waves, A wreck half-sinking in the tortuous gloom.
WHO IS THIS MASKED WOMAN?

WHO IS THIS MASKED WOMAN?

The astonishing Eve Hewson wears The Vampire’s Wife Yellow Daisy Mask. Check out the wonderful series, The Luminaries.
LEAN YEAR - COME AND SEE

LEAN YEAR - COME AND SEE

Vero from ‘somewhere in the world’ recommended this gorgeous song by Virginian duo, Lean Year.
TOM RUSH SINGS BILOXI

TOM RUSH SINGS BILOXI

A friend sent me this song—such a great country lyric and gorgeous arrangement. Tom Rush singing Biloxi. Just had to pass it on.
EVE HEWSON WEARS THE VAMPIRE’S WIFE

EVE HEWSON WEARS THE VAMPIRE’S WIFE

The wonderful Eve Hewson goes as Bjork in The Vampire’s Wife Silver Metallic Falconetti Dress.
My Sweet Lord

My Sweet Lord

I love this piece of writing on Nina Simone from my husband’s Red Hand Files, last week.
THE LAMENT OF THE NYMPH

THE LAMENT OF THE NYMPH

Clara sent this beautiful letter to The Vampire’s Wife. Claudio Monteverdi’s song is so very beautiful.
WHOEVER HAS LOVE ALSO HAS PAIN

WHOEVER HAS LOVE ALSO HAS PAIN

A dear friend sent me this gorgeous song, La Llorona, and these words. Do you know Llorona? It is such a mournful lament.
ASTONISHING THE GODS

ASTONISHING THE GODS

My husband read me this beautiful passage from a book called ‘Astonishing the Gods’ by the Nigerian writer, Ben Okri.
COME, COME, WHOEVER YOU ARE

COME, COME, WHOEVER YOU ARE

I love this little poem by Rumi, the 13th Century Persian poet and mystic—full of forgiveness and longing and inclusion. 
KATE MOSS WEARS THE TOTAL MAYHEM DRESS

KATE MOSS WEARS THE TOTAL MAYHEM DRESS

“Hey, babe, Kate Moss just told French Vogue that I’m the most glamorous women she knows!”. 
BEAUTIFUL CATE WEARS THE TOTAL MAYHEM DRESS

BEAUTIFUL CATE WEARS THE TOTAL MAYHEM DRESS

The magnificent Cate Blanchett wears The Vampire’s Wife Total Mayhem Dress for the cover of Vogue. 
O TO BE A RAINBOW

O TO BE A RAINBOW

There is so much joy in this beautiful, buoyant new song from our dear friend, Soko. Thank you for bringing a smile to our faces.
THE FRIDA KAHLO LOVES STUFF T SHIRT

THE FRIDA KAHLO LOVES STUFF T SHIRT

The Stuff Page has been a project that The Vampire’s Wife started nearly four years ago. 
VALERIE AND HER WEEK OF WONDERS

VALERIE AND HER WEEK OF WONDERS

Just watched this extraordinary film—Valerie And Her Week Of Wonders.  Inspired by fairy tales...
WHO IS THAT MASKED WOMAN?

WHO IS THAT MASKED WOMAN?

My dear friend Bella Freud wears The Vampire’s Wife  Heidi Mask. Bella, who taught me everything I needed to know about how to make fashion.  
VALERIE REMEMBERED

VALERIE REMEMBERED

When I was thirteen years old, I went on a camping trip to the South of France, in the summer holidays.
HIGHASAKITE – TOUGH BEAUTY

HIGHASAKITE – TOUGH BEAUTY

I just stumbled across this wonderful song by the Norwegian band Highasakite.
WHO IS THAT MASKED WOMAN?

WHO IS THAT MASKED WOMAN?

The brilliant Elisabeth Moss wears the The Vampire’s Wife Yellow Daisy Mask in Interview Magazine.
GELAREH POUR – INTO MY ARMS

GELAREH POUR – INTO MY ARMS

Vicki from Melbourne, Australia, sent my husband this truly lovely version of his song ‘Into My Arms’
WHO WAS THAT MASKED MAN?

WHO WAS THAT MASKED MAN?

“Can I use the picture I took of you in the black silk Vampire’s Wife mask for a Stuff Post?” That’s me talking to my husband.
WARNING. LISTEN AT OWN RISK. No. 18

WARNING. LISTEN AT OWN RISK. No. 18

My husband’s playing the piano. He’s been doing that a lot lately. I’m sitting and listening. He stops and says—
A LIFESAVER AND HER SUNSHINE SISTER

A LIFESAVER AND HER SUNSHINE SISTER

This picture came in this week of my friend, Daisy Lowe, lying in a field with her ‘sunshine sister’ both dressed in The Vampire’s Wife.
SOMEDAY WE’LL LINGER IN THE SUN

SOMEDAY WE’LL LINGER IN THE SUN

My dear friend Polly Borland sent me this clip of American folksinger and violinist Gaelynn Lea, performing her song, ‘Someday We’ll Linger in the Sun’
THE LARGESSE OF SPRING

THE LARGESSE OF SPRING

“A person called Dzara B. sent me this poem by Charles Reznikoff to The Red Hand Files. It’s powerful and speaks a strong message...”  
IN PRAISE OF ALEKSANDRA WALISZEWSKA

IN PRAISE OF ALEKSANDRA WALISZEWSKA

Again and again, I return to the visionary art of Polish artist Aleksandra Waliszewska.
THE RESILIENCE OF CHILDREN

THE RESILIENCE OF CHILDREN

A friend sent me this remarkable picture of a bronze statue that remained in tact after a massive battle in Russia.
SONGS FOR A SOLITUDE

SONGS FOR A SOLITUDE

Susie, I’ve discovered lots of wonderful things through the Stuff Posts. Could you make us a playlist...
WARNING. LISTEN AT OWN RISK. No.17

WARNING. LISTEN AT OWN RISK. No.17

“Hey, it’s been a while since we’ve done a Song of Devastation.” That’s my husband. “I know,” I say.
AT THE TIME OF THE FLOOD

AT THE TIME OF THE FLOOD

A lady called Linda from Geelong in Australia sent a very long, detailed and beautiful letter to me, part of which said...  
SUBVERSIVE FEMININITY

SUBVERSIVE FEMININITY

A letter was sent into The Vampire’s Wife from someone called Lisa from Dorset. She called the dresses ‘shockingly feminine’!
MAYA RUDOLPH DOES HER THING

MAYA RUDOLPH DOES HER THING

The actor and comedian Maya Rudolph hosted the Grammy Salute to Prince last week, all dressed in The Vampire’s Wife.
Even the Trees

Even the Trees

Alex from Cleveland, USA sent this wonderful poem to my husband’s Red Hand Files. The poem is by the Lebanese poet, Hayan Charara.
MOONBATHE WITH THE VAMPIRE’S WIFE

MOONBATHE WITH THE VAMPIRE’S WIFE

The Vampire’s Wife is dropping a limited edition knitwear capsule collection on our website tomorrow.
CAMILLE PAGLIA STOOPS TO CONQUER

CAMILLE PAGLIA STOOPS TO CONQUER

Just sitting here with my husband reading Camille Paglia’s wonderful Break, Blow, Burn—close readings of her favourite poems. 
THE SUSIE LOVES STUFF T SHIRT

THE SUSIE LOVES STUFF T SHIRT

The Stuff Page has been a project that The Vampire’s Wife started nearly four years ago. We are now coming up to our four hundredth post! 
MAC MILLER SINGS CIRCLES

MAC MILLER SINGS CIRCLES

Here is a sweet song from American rapper, musician and record producer, Mac Miller, that sort of creeps up on you. 
Bowie and Cher Blow our Minds!

Bowie and Cher Blow our Minds!

This really is one of the most beautiful, playful and charged duets I have ever seen—David Bowie and Cher singing, “Can You Hear Me?” 
PABLO NERUDA SPEAKS INTO OUR TIME

PABLO NERUDA SPEAKS INTO OUR TIME

There really is little more to add to this poem but simply to share it—a beautiful sentiment from the great Chilean poet, Pablo Neruda.
LE MYSTERE DES VOIX BULGARES

LE MYSTERE DES VOIX BULGARES

A person called Heidi from Madison, USA suggested I listen to Le Mystere Des Voix Bulgares and their weird, eerie harmonies have been weaving around the house all day.
A BOY WITH A SNAIL IN HIS HEART

A BOY WITH A SNAIL IN HIS HEART

“Babe, suddenly, without warning, Poem-a-day throws up this extraordinary poem! Do you want to post it on the Stuff Page—it’s wild.”  That’s my husband.
LETTER FROM ABBY

LETTER FROM ABBY

“Hey, babe, there is a letter here from someone called Abby from Manchester. She wants to ask you a question”. That’s my husband.
LEONARD BRINGS IN THE LIGHT

LEONARD BRINGS IN THE LIGHT

My husband sent me this message from his wonderful Red Hand Files. It comes from Kaley in Manchester. 
DEEP NIGHT BY RUAN CHI

DEEP NIGHT BY RUAN CHI

Classical Chinese poetry, written over the course of three thousand years has the capacity to speak to our very hearts.
I THANK GOD FOR THIS MOST AMAZING DAY

I THANK GOD FOR THIS MOST AMAZING DAY

Sitting here, looking out my rainy window, over the sea that rages and crashes everywhere, the wind howling and knocking the trees all about...
WARNING. LISTEN AT OWN RISK. No 16

WARNING. LISTEN AT OWN RISK. No 16

“Hey, babe, Emma from Maryland, USA wrote a beautiful letter. Do you want me to read it to you?” That’s my husband...
COME MY DARLING – ASMAHAN

COME MY DARLING – ASMAHAN

This is a sweet message for Lori from Toronto, who wrote into my husband’s Red Hand Files, recommending this incredibly beautiful song...
BLACK LIPS – DARK COUNTRY

BLACK LIPS – DARK COUNTRY

This strange hypnotic number, ‘Get It On Time’ by Black Lips, sung by the extraordinary Los Angeles-based actress and musician, Zumi Rosow...
JODIE COMER WEARS THE VAMPIRE’S WIFE

JODIE COMER WEARS THE VAMPIRE’S WIFE

The brilliant and beautiful Jodie Comer wears The Vampire’s Wife Floral Gypsy Tea Dress while filming Series 3 of the wonderful Killing Eve
CILLA AND MARC – LIFE’S A GAS

CILLA AND MARC – LIFE’S A GAS

Rachel from Sydney, Australia brought this beautiful duet to my attention through my husband’s Red Hand Files. It is a gorgeous thing—an instant cure for the doldrums.  
ANNA PAVLOVA AND THE DYING SWAN

ANNA PAVLOVA AND THE DYING SWAN

Allyson from Kimberton, USA, sent this letter to my husband’s glorious Red Hand Files, commenting on the name of the new collection Frill Seeker. 
LASHANA LYNCH BLOSSOMS!

LASHANA LYNCH BLOSSOMS!

Wonderful Lashana Lynch, styled by the brilliant Karla Welch wears The Vampire’s Wife Green Floral Blossom Dress and we love her for it! 
GWENDOLYN BROOKS - WE REAL COOL

GWENDOLYN BROOKS - WE REAL COOL

My husband asked me to put this poem by Gwendolyn Brooks up on The Stuff Page.
THE COLD STARS SHONE IN MOCKERY

THE COLD STARS SHONE IN MOCKERY

Flipping through Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein while sitting in the breakfast room of the Shelley Hotel in Lewes
THE FRILL SEEKER COLLECTION

THE FRILL SEEKER COLLECTION

The new collection is here! The Vampire’s Wife continue to play with the idea of femininity with the Frill Seeker Collection.
THE MELANCHOLY WONDER OF SHARMILLA ROY

THE MELANCHOLY WONDER OF SHARMILLA ROY

If you like Umm Kulthum, you maybe also appreciate Sharmilla Roy especially 'Ontoro momo' Her voice is so extraordinary, moving, melancholy and extremely joyful at the same time.
SINCE YOU WENT AWAY – SHU CH’I-SIANG

SINCE YOU WENT AWAY – SHU CH’I-SIANG

The aching, erotic stillness of these ancient Chinese poems completely overpowers me, as they find their way into The Vampire’s Wife designs.
ST VINCENT BLOWS US AWAY

ST VINCENT BLOWS US AWAY

The brilliant and beautiful Annie Clark aka Saint Vincent wears The Vampire’s Wife Mini Mayhem Dress to the Independent Spirit Awards in LA last week.
GERMAINE GREER BY DIANE ARBUS

GERMAINE GREER BY DIANE ARBUS

I was flipping through a book on the photography of Diane Arbus and found that she had photographed the feminist provocateur Germaine Greer. 
WARNING. LISTEN AT OWN RISK No. 15

WARNING. LISTEN AT OWN RISK No. 15

Known as ‘The Voice of Egypt’ Umm Kulthum rings around the house this morning, cranked up loud, her raw emotion and incredible vocal range ever splendid.
“LET THERE BE LIBERTY, GOD SAID, AND LO!”

“LET THERE BE LIBERTY, GOD SAID, AND LO!”

Divine Liberty Ross wore The Vampire’s Wife Black Velvet Lace Night Sparrow Dress to the Tom Ford show in Los Angeles last week.
TO GEORGE SAND: A DESIRE

TO GEORGE SAND: A DESIRE

The most poplar writer of her day, I must admit I have never read George Sand, but I still I adore her!
CLAUDIA CARDINALE AND BRIGITTE BARDOT

CLAUDIA CARDINALE AND BRIGITTE BARDOT

Just watched the great 1971 spaghetti western Les Pétroleuses, with Claudia Cardinale and Brigitte Bardot, yet again. Erotic, subversive, complex
DO YOU BELIEVE IN VAMPIRES?

DO YOU BELIEVE IN VAMPIRES?

My husband is sitting at the kitchen table reading the questions on his Red Hand Files. I’m almost out the door, heading to the brand new Vampire’s Wife offices
DOVIMA AND THE ELEPHANTS

DOVIMA AND THE ELEPHANTS

Dovima and the Elephants by Richard Avedon—this challenging, discomforting photograph intrigued me as a young girl
A POEM FROM SAINT AUGUSTINE

A POEM FROM SAINT AUGUSTINE

Someone called Lindsay sent this lovely message to my husband’s Red Hand Files. I love that people out there are participating on the Stuff Page.
THE DIVINE GILLIAN ANDERSON

THE DIVINE GILLIAN ANDERSON

Gillian Anderson wore the American Chevron Dress from The Vampire’s Wife Pussy Bow Collection whilst attending the premiere of Sex Education last week in London.
A PIECE OF STÉPHANE MALLARMÉ

A PIECE OF STÉPHANE MALLARMÉ

It is so easy to fall into despair, ‘hide within our wounds’, spiral into a darkness of our own misfortune—but, in doing so, we lose our ability to feel...  
FOR THE ANIMALS

FOR THE ANIMALS

As my friend, Palma, wrote, “We're watching the earth change before our eyes. The truth is, it wasn't always a habitable globe for creatures like us
SOPHIA DE MELLO BREYNER ANDRESEN

SOPHIA DE MELLO BREYNER ANDRESEN

Someone called Yara sent this to my husband’s Red Hand Files. It’s such an incredibly sweet letter and the poem is lovely. I’ve never seen it before. I love it that people send things in.
LOVE WILL REMAIN

LOVE WILL REMAIN

Here is a gorgeous song, fragmentary but vast, by the great Bill Fay. I hope you like it.
A LITTLE HOPE GOES A LONG WAY

A LITTLE HOPE GOES A LONG WAY

I had a dream last night I was sitting in a field listening to Mazzy Star’s beautiful Fade Into You and woke up with the song in my head. 
ATTAR BRINGS IN THE NEW YEAR

ATTAR BRINGS IN THE NEW YEAR

I spent time reading the Persian poet, Farid Al-Din Attar’s wonderful book The Conference of Birds over the Christmas break, full of the most beautiful words
“WE ARE ALL JUST WALKING EACH OTHER HOME”

“WE ARE ALL JUST WALKING EACH OTHER HOME”

Goodbye, Ram Dass. “Having empathy for another person means yourheart is breaking, because you understand the intensity of their experience...
HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO ALL

HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO ALL

Dear everyone! Have a wonderful Christmas and see you in the New Year. Thank you for all your support this last year and for those of you who helped out with the Stuff Posts.
A QUOTE FROM CLARICE LISPECTOR

A QUOTE FROM CLARICE LISPECTOR

Our dear friend, Rodrigo, sent us this message.  People are always digging around and finding these strange, life-affirming treasures. 
VIRGINIA WOOLF BY JULIA MARGARET CAMERON

VIRGINIA WOOLF BY JULIA MARGARET CAMERON

I spent Sunday morning looking at the beautiful photographs of Julia Margaret Cameron, in a wonderful, old book I have of her photography. 
NICK AND WARREN AT THE OPERA HOUSE

NICK AND WARREN AT THE OPERA HOUSE

My husband and Warren Ellis played their soundtrack music at the Sydney Opera House this week, with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and the Sydney Philharmonia Choir.
EMILY DICKINSON'S BIRTHDAY

EMILY DICKINSON'S BIRTHDAY

Today is the birthday of the great Emily Dickinson. Emily would lower her poems in a basket from her bedroom window 
JODIE TURNER-SMITH SHOWS US HOW TO WEAR A VAMPIRE’S WIFE MINI DRESS

JODIE TURNER-SMITH SHOWS US HOW TO WEAR A VAMPIRE’S WIFE MINI DRESS

Actress Jodie Turner-Smith wears The Sparkle Velvet Runaway Dress to attend the Queen & Slim Premiere after-party in LA.
THE MOST BRILLIANT WEYES BLOOD

THE MOST BRILLIANT WEYES BLOOD

Sitting here in the back of a car heading to LAX and back to London and listening to Weyes Blood’s brilliant Andromeda, cosmic and confrontational and full of yearning. 
WE TRY. ALL OF US. WE TRY

WE TRY. ALL OF US. WE TRY

I was reading this last night, the final paragraph from Richard Ford’s wonderful novel, Canada. Such truth put so simply and without fuss.
WARNING. LISTEN AT OWN RISK. No. 14

WARNING. LISTEN AT OWN RISK. No. 14

“How are you?” That’s my husband. He’s on the phone. He’s in LA, where it’s the afternoon and sunny and warm.
In The End History Has Its Way!

In The End History Has Its Way!

I don’t know the date of this article below, but it rings so many bells for us all, the ‘gleefully dabbles’ not the least of them.
Sapphire

A poem by Sapphire

Sapphire’s 1994 book American Dreams is some of the toughest, most confrontative poetry I’ve ever read. Amazing stuff. But I stumbled across this...
Ramana

Ramana The Sage

My husband sent me this letter he received on his Red Hand Files because he knew that I would love it. Ramana Maharshi, also, said that ‘Silence is a conversation,’...
Mary Elizabeth Frye

Do Not Stand At My Grave And Weep

Written in 1932 and routinely voted as America’s favourite poem, Do Not Stand at my Grave and Weep was taught in schools everywhere. I remember...
Lauren Mayberry

The divine Lauren Mayberry

The euphoria-inducing Lauren Mayberry of Chvrches performs ‘Death Stranding’ on the Late Late Show with James Corden wearing...
Tali Lennox

We declare ourselves witches

The Vampire’s Wife acolyte and all-round sorceress, Tali Lennox and friend, Ariana Papademetropoulos, dabble in the dark arts, looking completely beguiling in The Vampire’s Wife Black Velvet Runaway Dress and the enchanting Falconetti. Something is definitely brewing. We adore you, Tali and Ariana, here at The Vampire’s Wife. Love, Susie x Here is Siling Zhang’s poem of female witch power! We Declare Ourselves WitchesWhen we declare ourselves witchesWe usurp the head of the churchWe stand before God with our backs turnedAnd appropriate his halo. By Siling Zhang  
Pierre Klossowski

Her beauty is a weapon

Pierre Klossowski, artist, writer and older brother of the painter Balthus, spent a lifetime drawing the most extraordinary and provocative pictures of his wife...
Julianne Moore

In praise of Julianne Moore

Just to let you know Julianne Moore’s performance in the masterful Magnolia back in 1999 blew my mind.It was so adventurous, so real and...
Larkin

I see a girl dragged by the wrists

I found this beautiful Philip Larkin poem – full of strange yearning and self-doubt and wanted to share...
Tomasz Mreńca

In praise of Tomasz Mreńca

My husband received another message from Kuba from Cleksyn, Poland, on his Red Hand Files, with another beautiful recommendation...
Jessie Barden

Mischief-maker Jessie Barden on the train to somewhere

Wonderful Jessie Barden, star of the hit TV series, End of the Fucking World, that features my son Earl (I’m just saying) knocks us all out...
Rod McKuen

Warning. Listen at own risk No. 13

“Hey, babe, check this out.” That’s my husband. He is sitting at the kitchen table, reading the questions on his Red Hand Files. It always puts him in a good mood. It makes him happy and, kind of, hopeful. “What?” “There is a person called Naomi from Glasgow who is making a suggestion for a song on your Stuff Page.” I’m sitting here too, trying to write my Stuff Page. My Stuff Page makes me happy and hopeful, too. “Naomi from Glasgow says, “On the wonderful Vampire’s Wife Stuff Page you sometimes suggest a Song of Devastation. What makes a...
The Pussy Bow Collection

Here comes The Pussy Bow Collection

The Vampire's Wife launches a new collection of dresses entitled ‘Pussy Bow’. Working with costume designer extraordinaire Alice Babidge...
Courtney Love

Courtney Love and a Pom called Bell

Beautiful Courtney sits at the Connaught Hotel dressed in the Blue Corduroy Festival Dress, with Bell, her Pomeranian...
Francis Bacon

A message from Francis Bacon

“The creative process is a cocktail of instinct, skill, culture and a highly creative feverishness. It is not like a drug; it is a particular state when everything happens very quickly, a mixture of consciousness and unconsciousness, of fear and pleasure; it’s a little like making love, the physical act of love.” By Francis Bacon
Kisa Gotami

Kisa Gotami and the mustard seed

During Buddha’s time, there lived a woman named Kisa Gotami. She married young and gave birth to a son. One day, the baby...
Marcus Aurelius

Marcus Aurelius and The Daily Stoic

I’ve found a great book recently called The Daily Stoic and it gives a quote each day from one of the ancient Stoics...
Guy Bourdin

Unseen Guy Bourdin photos

My dear friend Katherine who is always on the lookout for things strange and beautiful sent me these two unseen photographs...
Song of Songs

In praise of the Song of Songs

How beautiful, how sensuous, how disturbing this piece of biblical text is, full of longing and dark violence and tremendous need? My fingers dripped with liquid myrrh, on the handles of the lock. Love, Susie x Beloved 2   I was asleep, but my heart was awake.  It is the voice of my beloved who knocks:  "Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, my undefiled;  for my head is filled with dew,  and my hair with the dampness of the night."  3   I have taken off my robe. Indeed, must I put it on?  I have washed my feet. Indeed, must...
Snoop Dogg

Snoop Dogg does the husband

The Stuff Page has never been a forum to promote my husband’s work, but I just can’t let this one go...
Natalie Portman

A wild weekend in paradise!

The Vampire’s Wife blew Los Angeles and New York away last weekend as Natalie Portman stormed The Ellen DeGeneres Show dressed in the L.A. Mini Dress and the wild and wonderful Lisa Bonet attended the “Joker” film premiere, all sultry in the Silk Tea Dress and our much loved Kirsten Dunst, wore the Hummingbird Dress at the world premiere of "The Irishman" in New York. A good, good couple of days! Love Susie.
Earl Cave

It's a mother's right to brag

Make of it what you will, but I’m just saying, doesn’t my son Earl look completely gorgeous in this photograph. His film...
David Hicks

In praise of David Hicks

I first fell in love with David Hicks's jewellery many years ago - before I really realised how everything I ever loved about interiors came...
Bob Dylan

Warning - Listen at own risk No. 12

I am sitting with my husband listening to the radio. He is reading a book by Darcey Steinke called ‘Flash Count Diary - Menopause, and the...
Nadia Comâneci

The Nadia Comâneci Dream

When I was ten years old, I dreamed of being a gymnast. I had seen Nadia Comâneci on the TV performing at the Montreal Olympic games in 1976, and like so many young girls, was swept away by the purity of her performance and her incredible courage. Next door to me, in Bromley, lived a teenage girl who practised gymnastics in her backyard, and I used to watch her exercising through a hole in the fence, and I would copy her movements. My dreams were the dreams of countless young girls, and I learned to handstand and backflip and cartwheel...
Daniel Johnston

Daniel Johnston R.I.P

Daniel Johnston, singer, songwriter, artist and inspiration to so many has died...
An interlude with Dame Edith Louisa Sitwell

An interlude with Dame Edith Louisa Sitwell

Allyson from Kimberton, USA, sent a poem to my husband’s wonderful Red Hand Files by the brilliant Dame Edith Louisa Sitwell. We both loved it and....
Vivienne Westwood

Susie and Vivienne from 1998

My friend, Katherine, sent me this wonderful photograph from 1998. Here I am with my great inspiration...
Munch

Vampire in the Forest

I was looking through a new book of the despairing paintings of Edvard Munch with my husband (we really know how to have a good time!) and, anyway, how many books on Edvard Munch does one family need (!) and found yet another vampire painting, a subject that Munch returned to again and again – the female vampire sucking the blood of the cowering male. And, well, Munch was not what you’d call a ladies man, and has over the years got into a fair amount of trouble for his representation of women, but I always found Munch’s women, wonderfully...
Staple Singers

Warning. Listen at own risk No. 11

“Hey Babe?” That’s my husband. “Uh-huh?” That’s me. “I got a letter on The Red Hand Files from a girl called Phoebe F. She suggested a Song of Devastation.”...
Father Yod

Father Yod and The Mystic Road

I’ve just been reading The Mystic Road purported to be based on Father Yod’s teachings. Now as far as cult leaders go Father Yod seemed pretty wild....
Vampire

Vampire week and beautiful dresses

Immortality. We all want it. The chance to defy that black spectre of death that equalises us. But to live forever...
Dracula

Vampire week and beautiful dresses

Dracula offers the illusion of immortality, the subconscious wish we all have for a limitless life. He is a man of tremendous...
Wild star of light

Wild star of light

I don’t really know where to start with this one. Kirsten Dunst is a wild star of light, stealing our hearts as Claudia, the little blood-sucking fiend in Interview with The Vampire, then broke it in Lars Von Trier’s desolate masterpiece, Melancholia. Not to mention the comic engine of the second season of Fargo, maybe the best piece of television in existence. Anyway, here she is wearing the The Vampire’s Wife Silver Lamè Mini Festival Dress and as Alessandro Michele once said to me, “It is a good day! It is a happy day!” Thank you Kirsten. We love you here at...
David Whyte

David Whyte on heartbreak

I was reading Maria Popova’s wonderful Brain Pickings website last night and stumbled across this quote...
Barbie

W.B. Yeats and Barbie

'Never shall a young man, Thrown into despair, By those great honey-coloured Ramparts at your ear...
The Velvet Underground

In Praise of The Velvet Underground

Sunday morning here in London and just been dreaming it away, listening to the Velvet Underground, who, so many years later, still sound so bold and challenging and enlivening; they are capsules of light from an era that seems to have died – an era that seemed so much freer, so much more daring, so less inhibited than the one we are currently building for ourselves. Time to get bold! Love, Susie.
Maya Angelou

I know why the caged bird sings

The free bird leaps on the back of the wind, and floats downstream till the current ends, and dips his wings in the orange sun rays...
The Langley School Music Project

Warning. Listen at own risk No. 10

“Hey, I just got this letter on The Red Hand Files from someone called Heidi suggesting we put up The Langley School Music Project’s version of...
Azuma Makato

Azuma Makoto - florist from outer space

I stumbled on these beautiful floral arrangements by Azuma Makoto in an amazing book...
Jane Birkin

In further praise of Jane Birkin

I have already done a Stuff Post about the divine Jane Birkin but who can resist these beautiful photos of this most extraordinary woman. I love the dresses! All praise to Jane Birkin. Just to let you know, The Vampire’s Wife are preparing to drop a range of mini-dresses, inspired by this wild and wonderful woman. Love, Susie x
Hania Rani - Glass

Hania Rani - Glass

Someone called Kuba from Cieksyn in Poland send this link to my husband’s wonderful Red Hand Files. Kuba suggested that my husband and I “lie next to each other and listen to this beautiful song by the young Polish composer, Hania Rani. In my opinion it is just breath-taking. Just enjoy the moment.” Well, Kuba, we gave it a shot and you are right, it is truly a thing of wonder! Thank you for tuning us in to this wonderful talent from Poland. Love Susie x  The piece of music is called ‘Glass’ by Hania Rani.
Nick Cave

Permanent shivers

A friend, Bella, just sent me this video of my husband as a mere child doing the beautiful teen-angst anthem ‘Shivers’ with his first band The Boys Next Door. I haven’t seen it for years. I’m sorry, but how completely adorable. Thank you, Bella! Love, Susie x   Shivers I've been contemplating suicide But it really doesn't suit my style So I think I’ll just act bored instead And contain the blood I would've shed She makes me feel so ill at ease My heart is really on it's knees I keep a poker face so well That even mother...
Louise Bogan

Louise Bogan - nothing will ever stir

I found this poem today by Louise Bogan called Medusa. It took a couple of reads to for me to work out just what was going on. Sometimes a poem speaks to a part you, beyond understanding. But it seems the speaker of the poem, steps into a clearing and sees a house. All things are ready to happen – a bell is about to strike, the rain is about to fall. The speaker sees, in the doorway, the Medusa, with her hair full of snakes. The legend is, that if you look into the eyes of the Medusa you...
Dolphins

Warning. Listen at own risk no. 9

I’ve just walked into my husband’s office. “What’s the matter, babe? You look a bit down,” I ask.  “I don’t know.” “Have you been listening to Tim Buckley again?” “Maybe,” he says. “I warned you about that.” “Yeah, I know.” “Well, maybe you have a new Song of Devastation for the Stuff Page? It’s been a while and people keep writing in and asking to hear another one.” “Well, okay, but this one you’ve got to watch the performance on The Old Grey Whistle Test. Tim Buckley sings the gorgeous Fred Neil song, Dolphins and simply loses himself in his...
Cat Power

The beauty of cats!

The cat is such a perfect symbol of beauty and superiority that it seems scarcely possible for any true aesthete to do other than worship it...
P.J. Proby

In praise of P.J. Proby

P.J. Proby, sings ‘Somewhere’ from the musical West Side Story, in this clip from American Bandstand, in 1965. With the bow in the back of his hair and his weird...
Maria Callas

Maria Callas and Pier Paolo Pasolini

A dear friend sent me the picture of Maria Callas and Pier Paolo Pasolini, below. Pasolini enjoyed a...
Kylie Minogue and Nick Cave at Glastonbury

Vampire attacks pop princess at music festival

How completely moving was Kylie at Glastonbury. It was such a gigantic moment for her. She wore a bespoke Vampire’s Wife dress, looked so absolutely beautiful and... 
Isabelle Adjani

Isabelle Adjani and time travel

A dear friend just sent me this picture of Isabelle Adjani. Now it is no secret that Isabelle has always been and will always be the actress that shines the brightest for me, and it is impossible to exaggerate the influence she has had over us all, here at The Vampire’s Wife. I have never seen this photo before, but here she is wearing what is essentially a Vampire’s Wife dress, back in the early eighties, I guess, and it gives me a strange feeling of temporal dissonance, where the past comes rushing forward and the present is not as...
Inger by Edvard Munch

The artist's sister, Inger

Well, in case it isn’t glaringly apparent, the paintings of Edvard Munch, especially his paintings of women, have had a huge impact on...