- Published on
Be forewarned: this post has nothing to do with books. But it does examine some specious, ridiculous writing, so allow me my rant.
Yesterday a curious catalog came over the transom: wishcraft produced by a company called chasing fireflies (lower case theirs). It consisted of 72 glossy pages of high concept, extremely overpriced Halloween costumes. OMG! Are there really people who would pay $198 dollars for a "Vampiress of Versailles" 3-piece get up? By the way, that does not include a "coffin cape," for which you would have to fork over another $78. Nor does it include the requisite tiara ($24), bat earrings ($9) or fangs ($5). For your vampire mate, you can get a five-piece set, which includes black velvet coat, brocade vest, lace jabot, top hat and boot covers, for a mere $178. You can also attire your vampire ankle-biters in similar fashion at similar cost. And according to the catalog copy: "out of the crypt beneath the French palace you sashay, dressed to kill..."
Yesterday a curious catalog came over the transom: wishcraft produced by a company called chasing fireflies (lower case theirs). It consisted of 72 glossy pages of high concept, extremely overpriced Halloween costumes. OMG! Are there really people who would pay $198 dollars for a "Vampiress of Versailles" 3-piece get up? By the way, that does not include a "coffin cape," for which you would have to fork over another $78. Nor does it include the requisite tiara ($24), bat earrings ($9) or fangs ($5). For your vampire mate, you can get a five-piece set, which includes black velvet coat, brocade vest, lace jabot, top hat and boot covers, for a mere $178. You can also attire your vampire ankle-biters in similar fashion at similar cost. And according to the catalog copy: "out of the crypt beneath the French palace you sashay, dressed to kill..."
Other costumes for children include the Empress Josephine, an unamed Russian czarina, a Renaissance princess (also nameless) and Marie Antoinette. Show me a first grader acquainted with the existence of Josephine and poor Marie-sans-tete, and I'll show you a unemployed history professor in the making. And none of these get-ups can be got for under a hundred dollars
(euros-- whatever)!
(euros-- whatever)!
If you are the type of person who dresses your dog for Halloween, you can also purchase attire for your pooch, including Yoda and Princess Leia costumes -- a steal at $18! If your pet walks on the wild side, he (or she) could be a pirate this year, complete with a hook! (I think if the ASPCA saw the photo of the poor bulldog in this get-up, it would descend upon the photo-shoot and swoop the beast away.)
And the ultimate degradation? Here's the catalog copy: "Your 'Toto' can be Dorothy. Just slip her into this blue-and-white costume with attached arms. Comes with a pigtail wig." Yes, it's a some tiny, sad excuse for a dog dressed as Dorothy Gale. But what, no ruby slippers?!?! I'm shocked, simply shocked...
Dorothy, too?
0 Comments