I’ve become fixated and obsessed.
My sweet girl Annabella shared the Dancing Plague of 1518 with me via Twitter. It’s been consuming my mind, along with Saint Vitus’ dance (dancing mania), and the Tanganyika Laughter Epidemic. Extending through it, danse macabre, and its influences in pop culture, like The Seventh Seal.
It’s astounding to think of hundreds or thousands of people, in the Medieval era, participating in a mass hysteria that causes them to feverishly dance until they die of heart attacks, exhaustion or strokes. Many people would fall to the ground and their bodies would continue to spasm as though they were still dancing.
It reminds me a bit of these three witches yelling, “Dance, Dance, Dance until you all DIE!”
It’s intriguing how we think of something as dancing as this beautiful skilled art form, and we revere it. That vision is in stark contrast with our last dance on earth, the dance of death…
What does this have to do with fashion? Everything.
I keep finding myself entranced by the clothes we wear in our final dance, the combination of deadly attire and dance notes. Tulle skirts and spiked shoes, torn tights from falling to your knees, images of our Lady of Guadalupe and color fighting through the darkness…
danse macabre – by Ashe Mischief on Polyvore.com
For more death, decay, and occasional dance influence, check out Haute Macabre… they’re far more eloquent & informed than I could be…
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
I love mourning jewelry. My acorn necklace was inspired by Victorian jewelry made out of hair.
So many good things in this post, I don’t know where to begin. First, I had never heard of the actual story behind Danse Macabre (though I love the band)…I’m going to definitely read more about this. Second, thanks so much for the link to Haute Macabre — what a great blog!!
That is awesome. Oh, history, I love you. And I love Hocus Pocus, but it also makes me think of the musical episode of Buffy.
Hocus Pocus is such a classic – still makes me laugh! You have good taste in tv/films. Great looks x
So flattered! I KNOW you needed a new obsession. Great post, gorgeous!
@Annabella Besos – <3 <3
@Frankie – Swell Vintage – Thank you, Frankie! I do take a bit of pride in my tv/film loves, even when a bit fun.
@kevin – Oh gosh, the Buffy musical… oh how I love thee!
@Tara – I knew vaguely of Danse Macabre’s history, but not some of the other events that are related (or at least, in my mind).
@WendyB – I had no idea that your acorn was inspired by Victorian mourning jewelry! I love the aesthetic of it as well, but it’s wonderful to see it in your pieces, too.
I love the song “Danse Macabre” by Saint Saens. mm.