Trevor Getz makes some heavy claims about Leopold in his article about the Berlin Conference of 1884-1885, which was convened by said Leopold. He writes that: "The immediate reason for the Berlin Conference was the jealousy of the king of a small country called Belgium...jealous of his cousin, Queen Victoria of Great Britain. King Leopold II of Belgium considered himself to be an important man, but in the 1870s, the only territory Leopold ruled was Belgium. Queen Victoria was not only Queen of Great Britain but also Empress of India and had a whole empire."

Turning back time to when the Queen was still a 14-year old Princess, we get a glimpse into the mind of Leopold's father. On 21st May 1833, Leopold wrote to Princess Victoria: "...you are now fourteen years old, a period when the delightful pastimes of childhood must be mixed with thoughts appertaining already to a matured part of your life..." The dailycrownicles blog informs us that "Around the time that Queen Victoria turned fourteen, she and her governess packed all of her beloved dolls that had been her only companions for so many years away in trunks symbolising Victoria’s transformation from a girl into a young lady." Leopold goes on to say to Princess Victoria: "...now comes the time when the judgment must form itself, when the character requires attention...Self-examination is the most important part of the business, and a very useful mode of proceeding is, for instance, every evening to recapitulate the events of the day, and the motives which made one act oneself, as well as to try to guess what might have been the motives of others...to judge oneself with truth and impartiality, must be the great objects of one’s exertion."

Getz outlines the (second) king of Belgium's motives: "Leopold set out to get himself an empire, swindling his fellow Europeans and a lot of Africans. Leopold pretended to be a great humanitarian and abolitionist...Instead, he set about building a state that would work the local population mercilessly for his own profit."

Princess Victoria of Kent was confirmed on 30th July 1835, the same year she wore a Scottish silk tartan dress. (Some historians have suggested links between the Maasai shuka and Scottish Missionaries). Leopold (the first one) wrote to Princess Victoria: "...the principles of the Christian religion are the most perfect and the most beautiful. . . There is one virtue which is particularly Christian ; this is the knowledge of our own heart in real humility. Hypocrisy is a besetting sin of all times...many are the wolves in sheep’s clothes. I am sorry to say, with all my affection for old England, the very state of its Society and politics renders many in that country essentially humbugs and deceivers...let your dear character always be true and loyal ; this does not exclude prudence—worldly concerns are now unfortunately so organised that you must be cautious or you may injure yourself and others—but it does not prevent the being sterling and true. Nothing in persons gives greater reliance, greater weight, than when they are known to to be true...And when others may tremble to have at last their real character found out...your mind and heart will be still and happy, because it will know that it acts honestly, that truth and goodness are the motives of its actions."

Getz makes the following observation about the treaties that were signed after the Berlin Conference: "This was all a gigantic scam...in English or French, and often the local leaders didn’t know what they said. Sometimes, the explorers would get just about anyone to sign the treaty, including leaders who didn’t really have the power or authority to sign them. The whole process was based on a racist idea—that all of this land was “unclaimed,” and that local societies could not simply rule themselves."

History, like fashion, is quite complex. However, fashion can become a conduit for candour and for confronting historical trauma. Like Wendy, who created Fashionably Masked "a message and movement centered on helping women recognize when their appearance is compensating for unspoken emotional needs" fashion can be a fun tool for healing and self-expression.

Here's a candid, not-so-candy take on Valentine's Day, an A.I. fashion music video I created from my 2002 poem "February Fun" which was brought to life using an A.I. music tool.

Have an authentic day, week and rest of the month!