Venus On The Half Shell

This year, the painting The Birth of Venus by Sandro Botticelli will be in our dreams rather than on our vacation itinerary. So summery, it symbolizes the ideal seaside vacation. And suggests a renaissance of wardrobe possibilities from Jane’s Vanity.

Commissioned, in fact, for a Medici vacation home in the late 15th century, the painting depicts the arrival of the goddess of love at the island of Cythera. The consummate image of beauty, she is blown to shore, in her seashell, by the wind gods Zephyr and Aurora. There a nymph is ready to wrap her in a flowered cape. Meet later for drinks on the deck?

Vannina Vespirini seems to have had Venus in mind when she created her Vegetal line of lingerie. The floral design, on sheer jacquard mousseline, is pure Botticelli. Wear the seductive robe alone or with its matching spaghetti-strap gown. A lace-topped camisole of the same material is the perfect vacation companion. 

Feel like a goddess in Cadolle’s teal-colored Angele Mallard Chemise. It is fully pleated in a transparent poly blend and so iconic that it could hang in the Uffizi Gallery in Florence. 

Or, escape from one’s goddess responsibilities in something boho. Sneak away in the Ophelia Floral Gown from Christine Vancouver: easy a-line shape, ulta-light black silk charmeuse with oversize flowers in white, orange, yellow, red, and teal. Bellissima!

Be blessed with love this summer, dressed in mythological glory by Jane’s Vanity!