The Wedding Night Edit
13th May 2021The Secret Language of Love
Inspired by... Fan Etiquette
Shell Belles will be familiar with our signature fan which appears subtly on each garment. You will also see the fan in our branding, our logo, our gift boxes & more.
Here we explore the origin of Fan Etiquette & how it became inspiration for our Shell Belle Couture story.
The Secret Language of Love
Back in the 1800s Victorian ladies carried fans, not only as an accessory but also as a method of communicating a secret language of love.
There were rumoured to be over two dozen secret phrases & declarations of love - from which hand it was held, to where it was placed & how it was fanned.
DUVELLROY'S "THE LANGUAGE OF THE FAN"
This secret society of hidden lovers, whispers & longing inspired Shell Belle Couture founder Michelle Blenkinsopp-Guild
"I wanted to capture the desires of this beautiful, timeless Victorian era & create pieces that are so precious they could be kept hidden & treasured by the wearer. Transporting you to a time where a shy glance or carefully placed fan could lead to an encounter or secret rendezvous."
The Inspiration
The creative direction for Shell Belle Couture came to Michelle on a business trip to Paris back in 2009. It was during high tea at Laduree that the inspiration for the fan appeared: an almost 'Marie Antionette moment'. The intricate details, patisserie shades & opulence, aligned with a love of Art Deco & the desire for an endless summer came together as one.
"The fan says beach & boudoir & gives a nod to times gone by. Fanning both the heat of summer & one's desires." - Michelle Blenkinsopp-Guild
It was in that moment that the creative direction for the Shell Belle Couture brand was born.
Marie Antionette 2006 film written & directed by Sofia Coppola
Freedom of Love, Today
We still use a secret language, but instead of fans our hidden desires are secretly shared amongst lovers in all sorts of ways. From unexpected tokens of affection, to cherished moments of romance.
The freedom of love we feel today allows us all to create beautifully intimate moments, anytime...
When was your last intimate moment?
