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recreating new orleans in the 60's has been challenging but so much fun 🌃

Hot off the presses, it's the first (and probably only) issue of Vatore Magazine! Pick up your copy now to see all 22 (!) looks in detail, shop the must-have CC, and - most importantly - collect some new scraps of coveted Vatore lore. 👀

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someone get the lima beans

Diamonds are forever Hold one up and then caress it Touch it, stroke it and undress it I can see every part Nothing hides in their heart to hurt me

Bibury, 1895

Emmeline

I'd fretted terribly about when I'd have to announce to Almira that I'd gone into labour, considering I'd not informed her I was with child to begin with. When the moment inevitably came that I had to, she only laughed: “Emmeline, dear,” she said, “I’m blind, not deaf.” She'd later recount the many times I’d loudly become ill over the period I've been staying with her, and — in her words — pregnancy seemed to be the least concerning explanation she had settled on some time after she’d heard a wooden chair creak underneath me.

She held my hand in hers through what had proved to be a startlingly easy birth, even without the care of a physician. I consider myself to be a logical, reasonable woman, but I cannot help but feel as if my prayers had been answered. For once, I need not struggle and sacrifice; while Isabelle seemed to desire to usher in my death for her life as some sort of awful, biblical exchange, I had this wonderful calm wash over me as I held little Clytaemnestra — I've named her for another wronged, maligned woman — in my arms for the very first time.

I must admit, I expected to feel my Kenneth’s arms around me in turn.

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London, 1895

Kenneth Jr.

Today, Mr. Gresbrooke stopped by to talk to me after a meeting with Father: he explained that his daughter has told him at length about my interest in politics as well as my “studious and courteous manner.” He declared that I seem to be an intelligent young man with a good head fixed quite firmly on my shoulders, and that he's glad to hear that I have remained “blessedly untouched” by my mother’s “disposition.”

Though I cared little for the reference to Mother — the loss of her is not something I like to be reminded of, even if I think of her absence nearly every moment — I am unashamed to say I have been waiting for such an acknowledgement for some time! I know I'll work alongside him and Father one day, and I know it will make Mother proud, too.

Thomas

Richie said that Kenny is all Ethel ever talks about lately, so I asked him why, and would you believe Richie said she fancies him? Yuck! We agreed that it’s plainly gross, and I asked him if Anne fancies anyone (I suppose the answer I was hoping for is obvious!) but he just shrugged and said she’ll be married in a couple of years, anyway. He said he’ll never marry — isn't that daft — and I said I’ll definitely marry his sister, though he teased me like I meant Ethel, when I know he knew I meant Anne!

I’m gladder to have a best friend than ever; I feel like I forgot I could have fun for a while, and the Gresbrookes' country home is glorious in the summer. I’m even inspired to draw: you can guess who!

I hope I’ll be able to work on my illustrations for Mother again soon, but they only make me sad right now, and I hate to cry. I can’t wait until I’m a man, and I’ll never have to cry again.

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London, 1895

Kenneth Jr.

Today, Mr. Gresbrooke stopped by to talk to me after a meeting with Father: he explained that his daughter has told him at length about my interest in politics as well as my “studious and courteous manner.” He declared that I seem to be an intelligent young man with a good head fixed quite firmly on my shoulders, and that he's glad to hear that I have remained “blessedly untouched” by my mother’s “disposition.”

Though I cared little for the reference to Mother — the loss of her is not something I like to be reminded of, even if I think of her absence nearly every moment — I am unashamed to say I have been waiting for such an acknowledgement for some time! I know I'll work alongside him and Father one day, and I know it will make Mother proud, too.

Thomas

Richie said that Kenny is all Ethel ever talks about lately, so I asked him why, and would you believe Richie said she fancies him? Yuck! We agreed that it’s plainly gross, and I asked him if Anne fancies anyone (I suppose the answer I was hoping for is obvious!) but he just shrugged and said she’ll be married in a couple of years, anyway. He said he’ll never marry — isn't that daft — and I said I’ll definitely marry his sister, though he teased me like I meant Ethel, when I know he knew I meant Anne!

I’m gladder to have a best friend than ever; I feel like I forgot I could have fun for a while, and the Gresbrookes' country home is glorious in the summer. I’m even inspired to draw: you can guess who!

I hope I’ll be able to work on my illustrations for Mother again soon, but they only make me sad right now, and I hate to cry. I can’t wait until I’m a man, and I’ll never have to cry again.

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Mr. Thorne Bailey and Mrs. Erica Bailey

Bibury, 1895

Emmeline

I suppose I’ve become quite the seamstress!

Almira has allowed me to alter some of her old dresses to fit myself, and I’m glad to finally be out of that tight-fitting bad memory. Still, the woman hasn't updated her wardrobe in quite some time, and I am reminded of my mother: whoever thought the bustle was a good idea did not have a posterior like my own!

Without the help of a lady’s maid, my hair has suffered likewise, though I have never been one to fuss very much over my own appearance. It's nice not to be made to. I have found myself surprisingly appreciative of the work I have been given; it keeps me from wallowing too much in my own hurt, which seems to grow by the day, rather than heal with time. I believe now that I have settled, in some sense, I've been given time to think about it all: Kenneth’s betrayal, Mother’s, the destruction of my manuscript, and — most of all — how dearly I miss my children.

I find I often dream of Kenneth and I, at home and happily wed, without any of the pain that has come to define our marriage to me in the day. It all feels so enticingly real until I wake, and I am enraged at his betrayal all over again.

At least the renewal of spring approaches — I must look forward to that, rather than think about how my condition grows with its coming...

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SEVENTIES Requested by @bloomingkyras, @citrlet and @tudear Starring Helena Zhao

Bibury, 1895

Emmeline

I suppose I’ve become quite the seamstress!

Almira has allowed me to alter some of her old dresses to fit myself, and I’m glad to finally be out of that tight-fitting bad memory. Still, the woman hasn't updated her wardrobe in quite some time, and I am reminded of my mother: whoever thought the bustle was a good idea did not have a posterior like my own!

Without the help of a lady’s maid, my hair has suffered likewise, though I have never been one to fuss very much over my own appearance. It's nice not to be made to. I have found myself surprisingly appreciative of the work I have been given; it keeps me from wallowing too much in my own hurt, which seems to grow by the day, rather than heal with time. I believe now that I have settled, in some sense, I've been given time to think about it all: Kenneth’s betrayal, Mother’s, the destruction of my manuscript, and — most of all — how dearly I miss my children.

I find I often dream of Kenneth and I, at home and happily wed, without any of the pain that has come to define our marriage to me in the day. It all feels so enticingly real until I wake, and I am enraged at his betrayal all over again.

At least the renewal of spring approaches — I must look forward to that, rather than think about how my condition grows with its coming...

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London, 1895

Isabelle

“Dear God, please return Mother to us. Everyone will be happy again. Thank you kindly, and yours sincerely, Isabelle Louise Cavendish.”