The Heavy Navy Carriage: Strolls Through French Moss and Moonlight
The inspiration for this design traces back to a quiet corner of my grandfather’s estate in France. There sat a massive, navy blue Victorian carriage—large, sturdy, and unapologetically old. Coming from an American culture where I was used to seeing new, fancy strollers, I had never been exposed to something so substantial, with its heavy steel frame and sense of permanence. It wasn't just a stroller; it was a carriage.
I can still see my mother tucking my sister into its thick mattress for naps under the shade of a giant tree, while the rest of us settled in for those classic, never-ending French outdoor lunches. I’ve reimagined that sturdy steel frame through my hand-drawn illustrations, blending that memory of French heritage with a mossy, "Octobre" whimsigoth aesthetic.
Those afternoons were a whirlwind of gravel courtyards and baptism celebrations where long tables stretched across the lawn. I remember being introduced to endless rows of cousins and aunts, their faces blurring from one visit to the next, though I’ll never forget the prickle of my great-aunt’s chin as we exchanged kisses on the cheek!
That heavy carriage was perfect for those long walks across graveled pathways and potato fields. While the original carriage was navy blue, I tailored this collection to a moody, dark grey with autumn pumpkins. It’s for the "Rock-a-Bye Baby" born into a world of moonlight, magic, and old-world elegance.
Because I use a traditional hand-drawn ink technique, I wanted to capture the "heaviness" of that era—the intricate spokes of the wheels and the solid, structured steel of the frame that navigated those rugged pathways.
I think this type of carriage is due for a comeback. It represents a time when things were built to last and life moved at the pace of a slow stroll through the woods.
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