I was a big daydreamer as a child, a combination of not having an overabundance of friends, an active imagination and reading more than was probably strictly healthy. When I was very small, I read so many fairytales (in addition to the usual suspects like the Grimms and Perrault, there was an Estonian book series on fairytales of different peoples, from Avars to the Vietnamese) that I started analysing their structure when I was about 8. Yes, it’s only recently that I’ve beginning to realise how reading messes you up, although mostly in good ways.

Anyway, fairy tales often have a very rigid, but not necessarily rational logic. At some point, I started to apply this logic to the real world as well, although not in very visible or disturbing ways. I was always ready for eventualities that seemed entirely reasonable if you had read too many fairytales: I might be offered a huge treasure in exchange for one small coin, so I always made sure I had one on me. Because imagine they would offer me the treasure and I’d be coinless! I also got into the habit of leaving behind signs of my movements, in case allies/a prince/friendly magical creatures needed to find me. I had answers ready for trick questions and riddles and all kinds of conundrums.

I still haven’t lost these patterns entirely and I am therefore fully prepared in case an elf should appear and say I can come with him to Rivendell, provided I have a suitable dress to wear. Well, funny you should say that, dear Mister Elf, I know just the dress! As you have probably guessed, I have in mind this dusty pale pink velvet dress I’m wearing here, in suitably LOTR-esque surroundings. It’s by Riina Põldroos and makes me feel very confident about challenging Arwen for Aragorn’s hand.

To be entirely truthful, I don’t own this specific dress, because I already bought the exact same model in red and wear it often. I wasn’t even supposed to photograph it for the blog: I borrowed the dress for an interview shoot. But once I had it in my possession, I could not resist having a few photos taken against this absolutely spectacular background. I think it’s also a good case study of how much a different colour can change the entire vibe of the outfit: while the red dress is glamorous and bold, the pink one is romantic and soft.

I’m sure Riina would allow me to borrow it again, when the summons from the elves comes. Or maybe I should still buy it, just to be safe.

Dress by Riina Põldroos, makeup Erle Taklai, hair by Helen Heinroos Hair (Cäroly), images Stina Kase.