Most girls consider Paris the ultimate locale, but for me, it’s the countryside of Ireland. And while it may not have a twinkling tower or cafes on every corner, there’s a rugged, wildly romantic beauty that can’t be explained…unless of course you’re looking at the work of Pearl & Godiva + D’Arcy Benincosa. They captured the very essence of my Emerald Isle love affair, and it all continues right over here.
‘In you the rivers sing and my soul flees in them
as you desire, and you send it where you will
aim my road on your bow of hope
and in frenzy I will free my flock of arrows’ Pablo Neruda
When we first sketched the shoot’s inspirational material into existence, from fragments of history and a silhouette of a magnificent, awe inspiring and astounding powerful girl. I can’t help to think that we were heavily inspired by Jeanne D’Arc with her powerful visions, four centuries later still a legendary figure.
This what became of our vision – A renaissance of a divine inspiring beauty in the embodiment of a woman standing with interwoven arms – in her acquired sancity. Her style and soul was an antidote, it lifted, it inspired, it educated – she opened her heart to the lights of heaven. Her pilgrimage was her exquisite purity, and her clothing made from humble and raw materials, layers of slub muslin, with layers of tulle, nourished by the softest lace, dignified by jewels that surrounded her unpretentious soul. We wanted to tell you of blossoming and buds.
The honest simplicity of these ruins are redolent of prayer and clairvoyant intensity, she a poetic serenity – as she perches in amongst the ruins. If she leaves in her place remains another kind of beauty.
An old manuscript we found detailing the life of Jeanne D’Arc was a real treasure of a find and gave us a clear insight into an astounding courageous woman. Beauty is essential to her well being, and a fundamental component of our life. Our focus in this shoot was to create a quietly, confident beauty. We live in a world of opposites pulling at us at all times, but we wanted to show that beauty alone has no opposites. I don’t think one can tire of beauty, there truly can never be enough of it. There is nothing capricious about this girl and we love this shoot for the sensual quality and the emotions it elicits.
It is enough to breathe the perfection of our being and stand in awe before the miracle of life. To marvel at it, is simply enough.
Photography: Darcy Benincosa Photography | Calligraphy: Kathryn Murray Calligraphy | Bespoke Headpieces: Opal & Owl | Floristry: Hanako | Irish Castle: Killenure Castle | Jewellery: Delphi Antiques | MUA & Hair Styling: April Benincosa | Production, Creative Direction & Styling: Pearl & Godiva | The Cake: The Cake Stand | The Gowns: Maria Lluisa Rabell