The last few months have been incredibly hectic at home, with, amongst other things, a move to a new flat only last weekend. At this time of year I usually like to get a Christmas tree, but with our finances stretched after moving costs and an extreme reluctance to cart yet another heavy object up our stairs, we decided to do without a tree this year.
However, I still wanted to decorate the living room, and have something to put presents under. The solution I came up with was to dress my mannequin, the bitch-faced Veronika. I started with a dark green Jean Varon dress from the 70s, then added a teal green and black 50s robe over the top (the garments had to be dark green to blend with the lights).
The fairy lights were wound around her body and attached with safety pins. To her usual bald white head, I added a wig, Venetian carnival mask (I knew it would come in handy one day!), beaded headbands, and a feathered hair ornament. Then came the jewels – all my glittery brooches were pinned on the dress, and I piled gold and pearl necklaces round her neck. A few bracelets went on her wrists, earrings were dangled from the light strings, and a cocktail ring shoved on one finger. I layered a few sparkly evening dresses as a base and then added the presents – voila!
Of course most people don’t have haughty-looking mannequins littered about the place, but if you like the idea you could always just put a dress on a clothes hanger and hang it from a picture hook for a similar effect.