I took this photo back in 2011 with a basic point-and-shoot digital camera. I’m wearing one of the very first vintage pieces I sold in the shop–a delicate bib necklace of Czech Glass from the 1930s.
The last 15 years running Feral Strumpet have been an experiment in do-it-yourself, stay small & stay beautiful. Running a business you are prompted to ever expand and grow–that if you aren’t constantly diversifying and extending yourself, by the logic of capitalism, you are shrinking. I have had some business ‘training’ over the years, taking courses and even had some EU-sponsored mentoring back when the UK was part of Europe. None of the ideas of growth and expansion fit with my vision and what I wanted for my business.
I never used professional models. Often I would rope Mike into modelling, or I would do it myself–arm out holding the camera in old school self-portrait mode. I loved taking pictures of people wearing Feral Strumpet pieces, though. Here are just a few of the wonderful friends and neighbours who have modelled for me over the years.
It’s interesting to look back at old aesthetics from over 10 years ago, like the heavy filters I used. The light that was available to me in one house or another was always different. I’ve always run FS from a room in a house and have lived in four different houses in the last 15 years!
Looking back at trends on Etsy in particular, I see fashions in jewellery change, and yet I love that my most iconic designs have remained wearable and still look fascinating and distinct–defiant of trends. Searching through the thousands of images of older designs to find some of my favourite snapshots made me nostalgic for some designs I can no longer make–due to changes in tariffs and other challenges I hope to talk about later in the month. Looking at these older designs has also inspired me to perhaps find a way to make something similar again.
Thank you for being with me on this journey!
xoxo
Ally
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