La Dame du Lac

"Resurfaced from serene and deep waters, I designed La Dame du Lac to restore women's magical adornments: Shield cuffs and rings, Dagger pendants, Stylet earrings, band rings clash; so many armor-jewels with a secret sweetness: A velvet Hand in an Iron Glove." - Elie Top

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La dame du Lac told by

Judith Benhamou-Huet

I trust in Joan Baez. She has placed her hands beneath her angelic face, like a frame. She is serene. Her hands are cupped beneath her serene, angelic face. They resemble the outline of a heart. She has made her face into a flower.

Her eyes are drooping yet they show no distress. Her black hair, smooth and sleek, hangs down on either side of her face to give a dark frame for the light of her eyes. It’s there, but she is already elsewhere.

She is going to sing. Joan Baez. The Queen of Hearts : her voice shakes with controlled fragility.

« To the queen of hearts is the ace of sorrow
/ He s here today …
/ If my love leaves me what shall I do ? »

To the queen of hearts is the ace of sorrow / He’s here today … / If my love leaves me what shall I do?”

Aubrey Beardsley, 1893-94

The mysterious creature who sleeps deep inside her answered in silence. She who lived beneath the lake, down in her deepest being, the lady of the depths taught her to be stronger. She whispers a secret softly, like a song: « there is life beneath the lake ».

So I held out my finger to slip on the shield ring. I shall be protected. It is articulated, like my thoughts. It is in three parts, like any self-respecting story. Recto: warrior. Verso: delicate. Inside it is patterned with flowers, like my secret garden. Like the illuminated manuscripts patiently drawn by one of the holy sisters.

So I also dared present my neck, lowering my head to put on my dagger-necklace. I am armed. Between my breasts the clear pendant is my axis. Distressed silver. Yellow gold. Magical opal. Gleams and reflections combined with limpidity.

- The design is sumptuously archaic.

- Its intent is sumptuously archaic! « Protection and Love. »

I trust in Joan Baez. She is the lady of the lake. Sleeping deep with her secrets.

Holding her breath for truth.

« To the queen of hearts is the ace of sorrow / He’s here today … / If my love leaves me what shall I do? ».

Discover Judith Benhamou-Huet's Report