Susan Muncey - Celebrant

09/09/2023

Feeling hot, hot, hot! 🌶️

As the mercury hits the low 30 degrees C in London this weekend, I am wishing I was somewhere more prepared for hot weather.

One of the coolest hot places I have been this year is .😎

Here I am on the beach tucking into jerk chicken pizza. One of the best pizzas I have ever tasted in my life. 🍕

Oh, and for anyone who’s interested, my printed silk jumpsuit is almost vintage:-) purchased nearly 15 years ago on a trip to São Paulo. And these quirky catseye shades from are curiously timeless.

Besides the vicinity of the freezer cabinet in your local supermarket, where’s the coolest place in your neighbourhood? 🪭

I’m curious to know where you go to ‘chill out’?

31/08/2023

I’ve been thinking about Diana, Princess of Wales on the anniversary of her untimely death. 😢

The ultimate princess of p***y bow and pie crust collar Sloane Ranger style, 👑 she captured our hearts with her bashful manner, caring nature and doe-eyed charm. ♥️

These photos are of a memorial close to her final resting place. 🪦

But ‘Princess Di’ aka ’The People’s Princess’ will be remembered forever all over the world…

17/08/2023

Cemeteries can be the most serene locations…

I love the characterful statues - and every visit to the same location is different, depending on the time of year and day.

At Putney Vale, monuments, gravestones, mausoleums, and memorials to the dead sit in 47 acres of parkland and gardens of remembrance. 🕊

On one particularly sunny morning 🌞, the lens flare in my photograph looks as though it was meant to be.

Should I take this as a sign I’m on the right path in my new vocation as a celebrant? 👼

14/08/2023

Do you or did you own a Barbie doll?

My review of draws on childhood experience. 🥰

Barbie’s colourful cinematic world and powerfully pink wardrobe rekindle memories of my playdates with the original 1968 talking version of the doll.🩷

Read more via the link in the bio https://bit.ly/3OzrScz.

What are your favourite memories of vintage Barbies?

14/07/2023

Do you find this as moving and beautifully executed as I do?

As “a non-believer of religion” Madelaine Atkinson’s aim was to “transform the visual inspiration of Catholicism into meaningful outcomes.” Madeleine was intrigued by how designers like Dolce & Gabbana and Alexander McQueen portray the Catholic Church, and represent their relationship with the institution. ⛪️

The final project for her degree at the School of Fashion and Textiles of Birmingham City University highlights the abuses committed in Tuam, Ireland - where between 1925 and 1960, at least 6000 children died in ‘mother and baby homes’… “masked behind the wealth and beauty of the Catholic visual identity.”

As a celebrant, I absolutely love that this project commemorates the lives of those lost, are well as those suffering an unimaginable loss. 👼🏻

Madeleine made her pieces in the traditional style of those created for the Catholic Church. The collection involves hundreds of hours of manual embroidery and beading, as well as digital, machine and stump work. These photographs were taken by me at New Designers. 👌🏻

What do you think of the wonderfully thought provoking title of her final submission… The Uncovered Secret Sin? And isn’t her work brilliant?

11/07/2023

What do you think of Barbie?

I don’t like to admit it, but she may have been one of my early role models. 🤗

Much like Barbie, I’ve had multiple careers and my look has changed many times over the years.

I share Barbie’s love of dressing up - and wearing pink.🩷

But deep down I’m a serious person, with a desire to do good in the world, and to help others. Which is why I became a celebrant. 👼🏻

Anyway, I can’t wait to see the forthcoming film at the new Olympic Cinema in Battersea Power Station, where this photograph was taken. 🍿

Will you be going to the Barbie movie too?

10/07/2023

What will your coffin look like?

You may be thinking of a bog standard wooden box, with metal (or, heaven forbid, faux metal 😱) handles?

Coffins come in all shapes, sizes, colours and materials - in fact you don’t have to be buried in a coffin at all (more on this later.. ). ⚰️

Meantime, here’s some inspiration from Harielle Atana-Lindor. This piece was made from recycled steel oil drums by Haitian metal artisans Serge Jolimeau and Roy Jacques in Croix-des-Bouques, Haiti in 2023. It forms part of Harielle’s Royal College of Art MA Fashion portfolio entitled “Who Killed Haiti?”.

The work shown is called ‘The Funeral’s Uniform’ and is inspired by an Alex Webb photograph taken in 1987 - ‘Memorial for Victims of Army Violence.’ Harielle sees the coffin as a “uniform of death - a universal vessel to hold and protect our loved ones after they have passed. This piece is a symbol for those killed in Haiti from Government violence.” 😢

I’m curious to know if you’ve ever thought about the design - or symbolic meaning - of your coffin?

26/06/2023

Have you ever suffered a catastrophic footwear failure?

Thankfully, my shoes didn’t completely fall apart until I arrived home. 👠

Anyway, here I am, gliding down the escalator at Battersea Power Station, on my way to a party to celebrate the impending opening of the Olympic Battersea Members’ Club. What a fun night - and a stunning new venue. 👏🏻

I literally danced my feet off - or in this case my shoes. 💃 Scroll through to see the after photo...

A girlfriend thoughtfully suggested a trip to hobby craft to carry out some DIY repairs to the sandals. However, they were sadly consigned to a local recycling skip. 🙀

Being a slow fashion aficionado, I’m now in official mourning for my colourful wedge heels, purchased around 10-12 years ago in Tokyo. Well, Shibuya 109 isn’t exactly renowned for slow style, but I keep everything I buy for as long as I can - until I die if possible. In extremis, I might re-sell or recycle. ♻️

Btw, Japan benefits from roadside shoe menders, something we could do with in the UK. Apart from standard services like having shoes re-soled and heeled, it’s so difficult to find anyone to carry out other types of repairs or alterations to shoes.❣️

So, if you know of anyone who might be able to help with future wardrobe malfunctions, would you please let me know…😘

23/06/2023

21/06/2023

How often do you wear a hat? 👒

Probably at weddings? Maybe at funerals? Definitely in the Royal Enclosure at Ascot Racecourse…

And when this celebrant celebrates life.🤗

I love hats, as you can see from these photographs taken yesterday at Royal Ascot. My photograph was even featured in the Mail online’s Femail column, where the caption said: “Gatsby glamour! One guest opted for art deco chic in a 1920s style get-up.” ❣️

Not quite, but maybe that was the look I inadvertently created from a vintage Voyage duster coat and Empire line paisley silk dress (both late 1990s), preloved hat by Natalie Sergent (c.2000), with Coronation Collection purse by to celebrate King Charles III’s first appearance as monarch in the royal procession. Must have been channelling my inner Paul Poiret. 👌🏻

What a joyous day! 🏇🌸🏇

19/06/2023

Did I mention I also wear pink? 🩷

Bumped into the fantabulous 💕 original hot pink fashion heroine that is Dame Zandra Rhodes , along with equally colourful Wendy, .🎶

Zandra loved my curiously timeless embroidered Barbie pink silk Voyage dress (circa 1999-2000?). Plus vintage (late ‘60s-early ‘70s?) coral velvet coat with neon pink frill collar by Joseph Magnin, and evil eye shoes.

Not the most flattering angle though.🙀 Where is a professional photographer when you need one?