Prolific Souls - THE INSPIRATION BEHIND THIS HALLOWEEN'S THEME
Our 2025 Halloween Display is up! Read below to hear more about the story behind this year's theme
CLICK HERE to learn who they are!
Every Halloween for the past 5 years, we have loved decorating our house on a main road for all to see and enjoy!
We are known as the Halloween house by our local community and all the local children look forward to seeing what we come up with each year!
When we started my cookie biz The Sugar Gypsy, we began to tie our Halloween cookie collections to match the same theme to bind our many creative pursuits into one!
And this year will be no different!
Over the course of time, many creative, prolific souls have walked this earth and passed on leaving us with a legacy of art and creativity. Trailblazing the way, calling us, urging us to continue their legacy of course we must oblige them!
This Halloween we decided to celebrate the lives of artists who impacted our lives by inspiring and delighting us!
We believe that celebrating life is celebrating beautiful things and creativity in all its forms and we invite you to do the same by joining us on our little Halloween adventure!
Their souls have passed to another world but their legacies live on!
The artists selected had an impact or influence on me at some point during my youth and I've always admired them.
Starting off with Lewis Carroll, an eccentric genius famous for his Novel Alice's Adventures in Wonderland followed by Through the looking glass. I was enamoured with the Disney Adaption in my very young years as was gifted the Original book later. The bizarre nature of this story captivated me and many of us who were lucky enough to experience it with many travelling to their Disney Meccas to enjoy the
Whilst I didn't listen to much of his music when I was younger, I fell in love with Sarah's character and the Story of The Labrynth starring David Bowie as Jarrod - the cruel but enchanting King. David was irreplaceable in the role and add an eclectic magic to the already amazing production.
Moving on to our beautiful Australian artist Olivia Newton -John starring in the the cult Movie Xanadu and a year earlier Grease. The Electric light Orchestra soundtrack will forever be one of my favourites and no on can deny the pure joy the receive when listening to or watching Grease! Olivia was a beautiful, irreplaceable soul and we are forever grateful for the way she touched our lives.
Growing up in my teens, creating was in my blood. I was always daydreaming up ideas and clothing designs and how I would one day have my own fashion label. I used to tear pages out of magazines and keep them in a scrapbook and to this day those same image still spark joy and inspiration in me when I flick through them.
And so I fell in love with the flamboyant and colourful brand Versace, unapologetically loud and proud. I remember his younger sister and her long blonde flowing hair. Bold and Italian as they come. Gianni's love and obsession with Greek mythology became the main source of inspiration and everything grew around it. We can never forget the JLo green tropical dress with a slit to her naval which placed Versace further ahead on the designer map than he had ever been.
Not to be outdone, Coco Chanel in stark contrast to Versace inspired me with her pretty palettes and simple but feminine designs. I loved her story and researched her life discovering the heartbreaking ups and downs she endured before she became a true success. Unafraid to be herself, Gabrielle showed restraint and elegance proving understated could still be a big statement. Most impressively, Chanel paved the way to female comfort clothing. Women were freed of their garment 'chains'. I sometimes wonder how different fashion might be even now if not for Coco.
For me, Tupac wasn't as influential in my life but I know he was to many and his hits are still enjoyed by everyone. I remember a lot of my peers at school loved listening to rap and it was such huge news and hardly believable when he was assassinated. I've been more exposed to his music in recent years and other rappers as my hubby is a big fan and often subjects the whole family to snoop dog on our road trips and outings!
Salvador Dali has intrigued fascinated me and many otheres for years. I remember sitting in our art theory classes and trying to absorb all of the art history that was taught to us and whilst it is amazing, interesting and beautiful, as a teen it all melded into one. When we began learning about surrealism, our interest was suddenly sparked. It was weird, crazy, funny and so interesting. Years later when the exhibition travelled to the NGV Melbourne in my mid 20s, my interest was reignited as I spent 3 hours wandering through completely enamoured. HIs collaboration ' Destino' with Walt Disney stayed with me and to this day I enjoy watching it and zoning out for a brief 3 minutes of my day!
No one can deny the influence Walt Disney has had on their lives. From the youngest age, we watched the movies, listened to the songs and dreamed about being a hero or a princess! Since then the Disney empire has grown into one of the world's biggest brands and continues to entertain us! Massive Disney fans here and we love the enjoyment we get from reliving all the nostalgia through our little ones!
Anna Pavlova for me is one that I think many little girls aspired to and had heard of at least once. She danced on her toes in what were probably the most uncomfortable pointe shoes - nothing like what our ballerinas have these days although it's still uncomfortable no matter how seasoned a performer you are! Of course we all know her for having our favourite Australian dessert named after her but if you watch her renowned performance of the dying swan, you will see how she captivated her audience with her incredible ability to evoke emotion and admiration in her movement and expression.
Charlie Chaplin was a choice based on his fame and again the bold daringness of stepping out of the square society cages us in by being himself. Letting all the kookiness run freely and releasing himself of the pressure of societal expectation. He became famous because he did what many only wish they could do. Be unafraid of what others think and just be themselves. It is a brave step and a risk but one that for true talent, pays off.
I hope you've enjoyed my blog. I really loved the idea of celebrating souls who have passed on and I hope by doing it, it encourages you to share a little bit of history and culture with your children through the artists who inspired you growing up!
Love Bree xx
