I was a pubescent 14 year old living in a foreign land when this show premiered on my only english-speaking tv channel, the fabulous BBC (nicknamed my ‘sanity savior’). It can be said that after the first episode I was hooked. It encompassed all my passions of life back then – fashion, fabrics, sewing, art, paris, travel, love, boutiques… and all set in my favourite era of the 1920’s, London. This show set the groundwork for much of my inspiration as the essence of it has stayed with me all these years. To my absolute delight, the BBC recently released the entire series on DVD and when my mother read this news she was quick to get hold of it for me, knowing how much this series meant to me some 15 years ago. So what on earth am I talking about you ask?
Why, I speak of the House of Eliott of course!
The House of Eliott is based on the journey of two sisters, Bea and Evie, who embark on opening their very own fashion house amongst the haute couture of London and Paris boutiques, starring the brilliant actress Stella Gonet (as Bea) as well as Louise Lombard (recognise her in CSI?). This classic drama series takes you through all of the ups and downs of running such a boutique, including the scandals that befall them from jealous competitors, and the opportunities that come from the most humble of gestures. All this while giving a fantastic rendition of the political turmoil of England at that time, and post-war life.
These stills give you a very minimal peak at what this series has to offer visually – the sets, props, fashion and style is to-die-for, and for those of you Paris lovers, the series takes you there a number of times, with a complete look at Paris 1920’s fashion. What astounded me the most when I watched the series this many years on, was the resemblance of events within my own life. I remembered exactly how I was feeling when I watched the show at 14 years old, the sketches I started making from being inspired by Evie’s sketches, my imagination was really on an indescribable high. Now, at 30, thinking back to my 14 year old self, little I knew back then that I would have opened my own store only 7 years later and go through all the ups and downs expressed in the House Of Eliott. I was amazed to realise how times haven’t changed for small business, how the struggles are the same, and how all over the world, time after time there are still those people who try to sabotage you, bring you down, make yourself doubt your work and abilities. And then there are those people who stick by you, believe in you and support you through thick and thin. Watching the House of Eliott again brought tears to my eyes regularly and sparked that 14 year old imagination in me again. I won’t be running out and opening another store, but I certainly will not give up on my vision.
Enhance the Everyday review for House of Eliott: 5 outta 5.
I implore you to get hold of this complete series (there are 3 in total, click here for all 3), you will really love it. You will find the first series a little slow but it is essential to understand the whole story and you will not regret it. I just finished watching the whole series at Christmas and I am keen to start it again in a couple of months, I miss it already. Enjoy.
House of Eliott – yes, of course I have seen it and remember well for all those reasons you already said (fashion, fabrics, sewing, art, paris, travel, love, boutiques…)And 1920’s are super inspiring period of time. Thank you for reminding me of the Eliott sisters!
January 29th, 2008 | #
As a geeky type of guy with no particular interest in 20s fashion, I would never have thought I would love it and I did! As Pia said, it spans over a lot of themes and gives a very good insight into the 20s. Not to mention the cliffhangers!
January 29th, 2008 | #
Hello Pia, Feels irrelevant to come and talk about food when all these artistic pictures of the ’20 are in display, but thank you for your comment in my cooking blog. I am sure you have recipes of your own! Do not hesitate to submit a recipe in my website http://www.aworldinapan.com (it will be published in the Newsletter of the following month).
Cheers, Laura
I truly enjoyed traveling in your blog!
January 29th, 2008 | #
thanks for the comment violet, welcome to the (blog)house! so glad you liked it too, there is heaps of inspiration in it, that is for sure.
romain, i am thrilled you loved it too! cliffhangers were awesome indeed.
laura, i would love to submit a recipe of course! thanks for visiting, i will pick one of my favourites that i have shot and send it to you pronto.
January 29th, 2008 | #
Oh my gosh. I had completely forgotten about this show. I loved it so much. Thanks for the memory.
January 29th, 2008 | #
i’m so happy
so so so happy
in complete and sincere honesty i can say that it could be me writing this post about the sublime House of Elliot.
I was a young viewer too and, like you i dreamed of being a fashion designer. sitting in front of the tv with mums silk scarf wrapped round my head sketching my version of 20’s flappers. my god i wanted to be evie. i loved her.
i blame the house of elliot for my obsession with clothes/sketching/20’s/fashion etc etc – i ended up at The London College of Fashion after sewing for hours on my mothers handed-me-down handwheel sewing machine.
thank you for a truly brilliant post. it has made my day 😉
p.s boyfriend now has flee in his ear about my valentines gift wicked! x
January 30th, 2008 | #
Ditto Kate. I loved this too – the glamorous clothes and the feisty women.
January 30th, 2008 | #
hi again – i hope you don’t mind (maybe i should have asked first) but i’ve mentioned your post on my blog with a link to you.
please feel free to let me know not to do it again!
thanks
bexy
January 30th, 2008 | #
ooh sounds great!
ill have to see if i can find it here!
love the stills
January 30th, 2008 | #
First of all, could the characters’ names be any greater? Secondly, do you think I could find it in the US? Looks fabulous.
January 30th, 2008 | #
hi ali and marie, if you click on the link to ‘buy all 3 series’ i think i linked it to american amazon so you can buy it there, you will not be disappointed i promise!
hi bexy, thanks for your great comments, i’m thrilled we share the same enthusiasm for the Eliott Sisters! you are always welcome to post and link to me, i am flattered, thank you.
January 30th, 2008 | #
You know how much I love the 20’s so this should be a real treat. The BBC really produces quality work. I must get my hands on this!
January 30th, 2008 | #
I remember House of Elliot (I must have been watching it around the same age, as I’m 30 too) – I don’t remember quite as much of what went on as you obviously do, but I do remember very vividly how much I loved the costumes.
It’s my first visit to your blog, and I’ve so enjoyed looking at all your beautiful photography.
February 5th, 2008 | #
I know that this post is a couple of months old, but I so wanted to comment. I absolutely adored House of Elliot. I also loved everything about it and some of the clothes that Louise Lombard wore were indeed to die for. Especially the outfit that she is wearing in the above pics! I miss this a lot and I am very tempted to buy the entire series.
June 15th, 2008 | #
[…] blog is so lovely and she shares her toys with us in a very well mannered way AND she dedicates a whole post to the House of Eliott, as well posts from shoots, her fashion look-book, pics from whichever town she’s in (such as […]
May 28th, 2009 | #
I just discovered the “House of Elliot” series a few weeks ago on Netflix! and I love it!!! I can’t wait till the next set of episodes. The fashions and decor are fabulous, wish the series would never end…
March 1st, 2010 | #
Another old blog post I came across… and oh my gosh! I used to LOVE House of Elliot!! I must’ve watched every episode… there was something so captivating in that show – the dresses, the drama, all of it. xo
May 9th, 2012 | #