Maelcum Soul is an obscure character that I found out about in John Waters’ book Shock Value (I’ve written about it here). She was one of the original Dreamlanders (the group of people that participated in the making of John Waters’ films) and a great influence on him. ‘The descriptions on his book made me want to look her up as she sounded like a true original.
Maelcum Soul was her real name, and I was in total awe of her, until she dropped dead of old age in her twenty-seventh year, in 1968. Maelcum was the most astonishing bohemian I’ve ever known, and she influenced my twisted vision of how women should look more than any film, book, or painting. She was Baltimore’s top artist’s model and hostess/barmaid in the best bar in town – Martick’s. Maelcum’s everyday life was a self-promoted confrontation with the world. She’d walk down the street, and a riot would break out. She had maroon hair, wore chalk-white face powder, ten pairs of fake eyelashes, and more eye makeup than any girl has ever worn anywhere in the United States. Her trademarks were the eight-point star she drew on her cheek and the gobs of glue she used to fasten her spit curls to her face. Her clothes were the most theatrical imaginable, and she looked like this every day, every hour. She was a woman female impersonator. Only twice did I see her without her “look” and that was deep in the private bowels of her home. I was shocked to see how normal she looked underneath this incredible disguise.
– Waters, John, Shock Value
Wouldn’t you want to see what she looked like after all this? This was a lady that did vintage before vintage was mainstream and dared to go out to the pharmacist in green face make up. Crazy? Maybe a little, who knows? One thing is certain, this was creativity, this was art.
I researched it online and couldn’t find many photos but the few I did (and the ones on the short video on the bottom of this post) give an idea of her style and beauty. She was taken from this world at a young age and in a tragic way. I thought I’d put a little outfit together inspired by her – it’s my little tip of the (floppy) hat to another creative soul.
“Follow No-one, Look Amazing”
Outfit details: Dress – H&M (via Ebay), Floppy hat – H&M (I brought it from Portugal, not very practical when you’re flying!), Flower belt – H&M (from the sale items I got last Thursday), Bracelets – River Island (got them the first time I went to Nottingham after I moved to England), Shoes – Irregular Choice (via Ebay)
I’m linking this up to Patti’s Visible Monday as there is nothing that makes anyone more visible than their creativity and personality (a big floppy hat also helps).
33 Comments
Fascinating!!! Love a true eccentric. Love your green shoes. Love you!
Eccentric people can be really interesting! Love you too 🙂
Great read but mostly I’m swooning over how fab you look in that hat and sexy frock! x
Wawaweewa! Thank you! I love the dress, it’s really pretty!
whimsical and inspiring attitude, dear lady, love that you’ve discovered that lady’s style!, and love your fabulous dress and Green Shoes! and that bracelets!
You’re so right, sister, there is nothing that makes anyone more visible than their creativity and personality (a big floppy hat also helps)
beijinhos & visibles
Thank you! Interesting people are never boring 🙂
She was indeed a great beauty and an original. Thanks for sharing this, and *your* fabulous look (shoes!) with Visible Monday.
You are most welcome! I am very happy to finally have joined such a lovely group of ladies!!!
Beautiful and flattering dress! Great sense of styling too 🙂 That hat adds extra ‘oomph!’
GREETINGS FROM DUBAI
MRS JACK OF ALL TRADES
http://mrsjackofalltradesdaily.blogspot.ae/
Thank you ever so much!
xx
She was very pretty.
You should wear hats more often, they look good on you!
But it was the bracelet I was really eyeing.
I really should! It’s just that sometimes it’s a bit too much for the small town…
love your choices.
Thank you!
You look amazing. The video is incredible. Thank you so much for sharing it.
Becky 🙂
Thank you, you’re very kind 🙂
H&M should pay you; you look amazing!!! I love all the styling and you look seriously chic and sexy in a very cool way. XXOO
They really should! Thank you!
Follow no one! Look amazing! BE amazing!
I love it – you are gorgeous and thanks for sharing this info on the fascinating woman.
Sarah xxx
You’re welcome and thank you for your nice comments 🙂
impressing.
Thank you, you are very kind!
What a fabulous dress and hat combination, you look great! I love the 70s style.
Popping by as a fellow Visible Monday blogger, do drop by my post and let me know what you think!
Emalina
http://www.kikiandthegypsy.blogspot.co.uk
Thank you for stopping by!
I just paid a little visit to your page and it’s really cool!
Your own creativity is a fine thing to see, Mrs. D. Great article … she was an original, no doubt, and although I’d never heard of her, I appreciate the introduction. Especially from Waters … whom I admire but about whom I feel equally charmed and repelled. I think he’d appreciate that.
Nifty dress and ensemble. I particularly like the belt and rose with it all. But what really makes it are your tats … red is so good with brown, of course, but it’s more than that.
Enjoy your week!
Thank you for your nice and thoughtful comment. You are right about Waters, he says that if pople actually throw up with his films is a compliment 🙂
Love your outfit!
Great to learn about Maelcum! Thanks for sharing.
xox
Thank you 🙂 I’m glad you like it.
I’m always on the lookout for quirky characters!
You in that outfit is working like gangbusters! You look so delightful and brooding and *FUN*. Love it! xo
Thank you 🙂
You look fantastic in that floppy hat and ensemble – and the surprise shoes! Love that. Thank you so much for introducing me to Maelcum Soul too. She was art.
Thank you 🙂
Definitely, I wish there was more information about her on the web…
[…] Dello Russo for H&M, kindly purchased for me by my friend Fábio, Belt – H&M (also worn here), Tutu Skirt – Ebay (also worn here), Tights – Calzedonia (very old), Shoes – Irregular Choice […]