The gaggle of four-year-old preschoolers eyed me from behind multi colored felt masks. Each wore a gilded crown, shiny satin cape and sparkly plastic necklace. All the mini superhero kings and queens were ready to perform. My twin daughters’ head teacher had asked if I’d talk to her class about costume design and we were having a ton of fun.
After a bit of show and tell, I had taken out the costumes I’d brought along. Little hands eagerly had reached for the dress up items. Once everyone had donned their gear, we put together a play for the teachers. Giggling, they acted out a show that received a standing ovation.
It made me think how by just slipping on a different outfit we can be transformed. Over the years my design research has not only revealed to me fabulous visual inspiration, but also interesting stories surrounding people who wore these outfits. To be honest, I adore an intriguing tale.
One such fashionista was Marchesa Luisa Casati. This Italian heiress was known for her glamorous, and sometimes outlandish, style. Her soirées were over the top. As a muse to early 20th century fashion designers and artists she was photographed and painted continuously, thus achieving her goal of immortality.
Luisa was partial to wearing a silk velvet cloak. Perhaps it was paired with her mother-of-pearl heels or her dress made of light bulbs. Or maybe she slung it over one of her chic Poiret or Fortuny gowns. Sometimes, she wore the cloak out for a midnight stroll in Venice with her jewel collared pet cheetahs.
Fashion collections by designer Tom Ford and the late Alexander McQueen have been inspired by her. She is also the namesake for the women’s wear brand Marchesa. Being inspired myself, I whipped up some hors d’oeuvres. Perhaps Luisa would have enjoyed my Ciliegine Mozzarella Cups served on fancy china, minus the lounging cheetahs as I currently don’t own any!
Ciliegini Mozzarella Cups
Ingredients
12 fully baked phyllo shells
12 marinated ciliegini mozzarella balls
12 small fresh basil leaves
6 grape tomatoes, halved lengthwise
First place the phyllo shells on a platter. Next place one ciliegini inside each shell. Now add half a tomato next to every ciliegini. Lastly, place a basil leaf in each cup by the tomato.
Makes 12 hors d’oeuvres
