In the world of fashion, there is always room for creativity and imagination. One trend that has emerged in recent years is the concept of a high fashion witch. This idea combines the magical and mystical qualities of witchcraft with the elegance and glamour of high fashion. The high fashion witch is not your typical witch in a black cloak and pointed hat. Instead, she is a fashion-forward and stylish individual who embraces the witch aesthetic in a sophisticated way. She exudes confidence and power, effortlessly commanding attention wherever she goes.
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If you re familiar with the film Practical Magic then you may remember that phrase being hurled along with rocks at the Owens sisters in the beginning of the film. But I feel if I don t have that balance, and I completely call myself a feminist I am cheating my own self, my own soul, for what I can be as a whole.
She exudes confidence and power, effortlessly commanding attention wherever she goes. The high fashion witch incorporates elements of witchcraft into her wardrobe in a tasteful manner. She may wear flowing and ethereal dresses with intricate lace details that give a nod to witchy traditions.
Review: A Discovery of Witches
I’ve always enjoyed fantasy books, and every now and then I have a craving for vampires–they’re such tortured souls. Immortality, apparently, can be burdensome. I found Deborah Harkness’ A Discovery of Witches at my library recently, and although it turned out not at all as I’d expected, I realized pretty quickly that I was in it for the long haul. (This is the first book in the All Souls Trilogy, each volume hovering just under 600 pages.)
“It begins with absence and desire…It begins with blood and fear. It begins with a discovery of witches.“
About the book: Diana Bishop is a historian. She’s also a witch. Her parents–more witches–died brutally when she was seven, an event which convinced her of the dangers of magic, and prompted her to abandon hers. As an adult witch pretending to be human, she’s researching old alchemical texts for a keynote speech in Oxford, resisting the urge to use her buried sixth sense to learn more about the ancient manuscripts she studies. But she stumbles upon one volume that practically drips magic from its seams–and in handling it, she moves one of the biggest mysteries of her world into focus. As a horde of “creatures” flock to the library–and ultimately to Diana–to learn more about the book and gain access for themselves, her lack of control over her magic becomes a problem and she’s thrust into danger she doesn’t understand and can’t fight. The first vampire on the scene, Matthew Clairmont, understands better than everyone else that to open the ancient, lost book means protecting Diana–the only person who’s been able to access it in centuries. Love between species is forbidden by law, but something much more ancient and inevitable is at work with Matthew and Diana. The unlikely pair must find answers in each other, as the world around them crackles with erupting secrets and the first signs of war between the species emerge.
About the layout: Diana, our main character, narrates most of this book’s chapters in the first person. There are also a few chapters woven in that feature third person narration and move around between focus on different characters–usually Matthew, but not always. There’s always more to his story than what he shows on the surface, which makes him compelling to read, though Diana’s lack of magical knowledge makes her a better guide for the reader through the discoveries of this first book.
“Marcus knew that a vampire’s life was measured not in hours or years but in secrets revealed and kept. Vampires guarded their personal relationships, the names they’d adopted, and the details of the many lives they’d lived.”
A large portion of this book seems highly concentrated on vampires and their role within this world, even though our main character is a witch. There are four branches of “creatures,” as they’re referred to, in this trilogy: humans, vampires, witches, and daemons. They all make appearances throughout the text, but without doubt there’s more information on vampires and their habits and current standing in this world than any of the other species. Eventually, as the reader knows she must, Diana stops trying to deny that she’s a witch and the vampire stories are mixed with details of how witch magic works and how it pertains to Diana. But it’s worth noting that this is a vampire-heavy novel. I think it comes down to Matthew and Diana’s relationship–from the very beginning, she makes concessions for all his odd behaviors because he’s a vampire and he’s been that way for a long time, while she’s planted herself between a witch’s life and a human one, which leaves her on uncertain ground. Thus, we see a lot more of her emotions and her acclimating to the presence of a vampire than anything witchy because it takes so long for her to commit to being a witch at all. And while she’s not learning about being a witch, she’s asking Matthew questions about vampirism, and the focus of the book is often pointed in that direction. Luckily, Matthew’s lived enough years that his vampire secrets are interesting.
“I wasn’t the same creature then, and I wouldn’t entirely trust my past selves with you.”
On romance: love between Matthew and Diana is not one of this book’s surprises, and it’s something I wish I had known before reading. I went looking for a fantasy book, but through hundreds of pages I found myself wondering whether the novel was a romance disguised as fantasy. There’s definitely fantasy, but it generally comes second, and the romance is immediately, utterly obvious. From the very beginning, the narration is clear on what’s building between our two main characters. Diana is startled and mildly frightened at being addressed by a vampire (seemingly the most dangerous of the four species), but she takes the time to note that he’s unbelievably handsome. He invites her to dinner and hints that he might see her around Oxford in that creepy vampire way that indicates he’ll probably be stalking her and creating “coincidental” meetings between them. The first time the narration focuses on him, he admits that he’s intrigued by Diana and he wants to stay close to her, but he absolutely definitely is not in love with her. These details (and many, many more) indicate that there’s going to be romantic intrigue here. If you don’t want to read a romance, this isn’t the fantasy book for you. That said, there’s not much sexual detail in this romance, it’s almost entirely gestures and looks and conversations, so it’s not raunchy in the way I would expect of a true romance, either.
Some things I didn’t like:
- There’s way more description of meals and teas and wines than necessary.
- Diana is sometimes okay with being ordered around and stalked and otherwise controlled by Matthew because she loves him.
- For someone who claims not to be (and is also told by Matthew that she is not) a damsel in distress, Diana requires a lot of rescuing.
- For a witch, even one who doesn’t want to use her power, Diana knows remarkably little about the “creatures” of her world.
- Everyone is concerned about or in awe of Diana’s super magical witch powers, but she can’t use/control them. There’s an imbalance in the attention and the worthiness of attention.
- Completely coincidentally, Diana finds a new abilities she can’t harness but can use for some emergency just at the time when she needs them.
Hence, I admit to problematic elements–mostly in Matthew and Diana’s relationship, in which Matthew wants all the power. But other than all the description of food/beverages, the narration does make attempts to explain most of the problematic areas, and I was left with the impression that some of these things might be fixed in the upcoming novels of the trilogy. I believe this is a series that demands to be read in full, if you’re determined to start at all.
My reaction: 4 out of 5 stars. I’ll admit this trilogy is 100% a guilty pleasure. Romances are often guilty pleasures for me because I don’t read them for the reasons I usually read other books. This one repeatedly gave me the impression: “Twilight on steroids” a few times, which was worrisome, but the story kept me engaged regardless. I’m committed to finishing the trilogy because I think some of the issues I had will be addressed going forward, and I’m curious about where the plot is going, since there are many mysterious threads and a lack of answers in this first book.
- Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander is the first (long) book in a (long) series that’s similar to A Discovery of Witches in that it’s a mix of fantasy/sci-fi and historical fiction. And romance, of course. An intense but challenging romance that’s very similar (minus the vampirism) to Matthew and Diana’s relationship.
What’s next: I’m currently reading White Fur by Jardine Libaire, one of my Book of the Month Club choices from their June selections. After nearly 600 pages of adult fantasy I’m ready for some lit fic. This one’s a (steamy for summer) star-crossed romance set in 1980’s New York.
What are you reading to kick off the summer?
The Literary Elephant
Update: You can now read my review of the next book in this series, Shadow of Night!
This copy has been rebound in brown half leather (which is rather rubbed and worn) with five raised bands to the spine. A note at the rear of the volume states that the rebinding took place in March 1949 by JDD. The binding has a slightly homemade feel to it-the idea was clearly to make the book look older, which has certainly been achieved (some of the cords beneath the raised bands are showing through). There are a couple of previous private ownership inscriptions at the beginning of the book, and the square white title label (originally on the upper cover of the book, I think) has been pasted onto the second front free endpaper. There is some quite marked foxing to the opening and closing pages, with lighter foxing throughout. Despite the wear to the binding on the spine, the hinges remain sound and secure and the book is not falling apart. Overall, a copy rebound in 1949 to give the book a much older feel, with some wear to the brown leather (on both the spine and corners) and some foxing, particularly at the beginning and end of the book, with two previous private ownership names (the one on the front free endpaper is in black fountain pen in rather large letters). 61 numbered pages. This slim volume (which measures just over eight and a half inches by seven) will be properly packed. Seller Inventory # ABE-1639315066211
She might also accessorize with bold and statement-making jewelry, such as crystal necklaces or silver rings adorned with symbols of magic and mysticism. When it comes to makeup, the high fashion witch opts for a dramatic and otherworldly look. She might experiment with dark and smoky eye makeup, accentuated with shimmery metallic shades to add an element of enchantment. Her lips might be painted in deep berry or plum hues, adding a touch of mystery and allure to her overall appearance. Hair is another important aspect of the high fashion witch's look. She often embraces her natural texture and allows her hair to flow freely, embracing its wild and magical qualities. Alternatively, she might style her hair in intricate braids or twists, adding a touch of whimsy to her overall ensemble. The high fashion witch doesn't just dress the part, she also embodies the essence of witchcraft in her attitude and demeanor. She exudes confidence and a sense of empowerment, embracing her inner magic and using it to navigate the world with grace and poise. Ultimately, the high fashion witch serves as a reminder that fashion can be a powerful form of self-expression. By embracing the witch aesthetic in a high fashion context, she challenges traditional beauty norms and invites others to explore their own unique sense of style and identity. The high fashion witch is a symbol of individuality and creativity, inspiring others to embrace their own inner magic and let it shine through in their fashion choices..
Reviews for "Shapeshifting Style: Embracing the High Fashion Witch's Changing Aesthetic"
1. Jane - 2/5 stars - I was really excited to read "High Fashion Witch" after hearing all the hype, but I was so disappointed. The plot was incredibly cliché, with a predictable love triangle and a main character who was more interested in her appearance than actual magic. The writing was also quite lackluster, with flat dialogue and descriptions that felt forced. Overall, I found it to be a tedious and unoriginal read.
2. Mark - 1/5 stars - I don't understand the appeal of "High Fashion Witch" at all. The characters were all one-dimensional and lacked any depth or development. The pacing was incredibly slow, making it difficult to stay engaged with the story. Additionally, the world-building was weak and left me with more questions than answers. I found this book to be a complete waste of time and would not recommend it to anyone.
3. Emily - 2/5 stars - "High Fashion Witch" promised a unique and intriguing blend of fashion and magic, but it failed to deliver. The fashion elements were superficial and felt more like name-dropping brands rather than adding any real substance to the story. The magic system was poorly explained, leaving me confused and unable to fully immerse myself in the world. While the writing style was decent, the overall execution fell flat for me. I wouldn't recommend this book if you're looking for a captivating and well-developed story.