Week 6: Marie Antoinette. My French Queen Inspired Look

Every week when I am creating new pastiches or looks inspired by famous historical figures, I wonder how to make them recognisable, yet not too costume-y. I wanted my Marie Antoinette look to be beautiful, memorable, but still wearable.

I opted for this beautiful Diana gown from Lurelly with pastel embroidered flowers and some fancy jewellery, including my matching ring and a bracelet with amethysts. I was thinking of trying Marie's iconic pouf hair with baby powder sprinkled all over my brown hair, but decided to keep the look more XXI-st century appropriate :)  

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Week 5: Star Wars. Princess Leia in NYC

Princess Leia (or shall we call her General Leia after the Force Awakens?) is one of the most iconic characters in film history. Her sultry slave costume look is still on my list of 'Halloween outfits to wear' and her hairstyles are hard to forget (and recreate too!)

The most memorable Leia's hairstyle is side buns, and they were apparently inspired by photographs of native American women. These ones in particular:

I wanted to try 'Leia's side buns' hairstyle for a long time, and I finally managed to find great video tutorials and got a help from a friend Agnes. And I am so happy with the results! 

At the beginning I was planning to wear a white turtleneck dress, similar to what Leia wore in Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope, however, I thought it would be more challenging and fun if I wear something Star Wars inspired, but more appropriate for New York and our galaxy :)

Hair Tutorials:

My Look:

Top - Walter Baker, Long vest - Walter Baker, Jeans - Levi's, Shoes - Jeffrey Campbell

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Week 2: War & Peace. Curated Theme Shop and Much More!

I am happy to announce that Curated Theme Shop is now live! You will be able to shop new theme every week and find beautiful, original hand-picked items every day. Check the Shop here.

Moreover, I would like to share few interesting links and videos with you. Of course they are all related to War & Peace Theme. 

1. My favourite scene from War & Peace (2016).

A breathtakingly tender and romantic scene of Andrei Bolkonsky (James Norton) and Natasha Rostova (Lily James) falling in love while waltzing in Episode 3 of BBC's War & Peace 2016.

2. Amazing article

Top 5 Costume Inaccuracies and Accuracies in War & Peace on my favourite blog Frock& Flicks. Click here to read it.

3. Regency Era Hairstyle Tutorials.

An elegant hairstyle with a braided headband; the style mimics the hair seen in portraits and modern film depictions of Regency Era ladies. 

Share your 'War & Peace findings' with me!

This hair tutorial is inspired by the hair styles of the Regency Era. 

Week 2: War & Peace. Regency Era White Dress

I am very excited to share this 'Regency Era' inspired look with you. I found this beautiful white dress in Walter Baker's new Spring/Summer collection and immediately thought I could use it for the War & Peace Week. It is a perfect modern version of a classic Regency Era day dress you have seen so many times in Tolstoy's War & Peace screen adaptations and of course in all films based on Jane Austen's books.

The Regency Fashion Era (1800-1820s) was heavily influenced by the democratic ideals of the French Republic (French fashion was always à la mode in Europe), and drew inspiration from classical Greece and ancient Rome. Simplicity, purity and elegance were highly praised opposed to multiple layers, complicated styles and heavily decorated fabrics of preceding fashion era during Marie Antoinette's reign.

The most popular style was a high waisted, lightweight, 'columnal' shaped dress called the Empire dress. Inspired by magnificence of white Greco-Roman sculptures, clothes were primarily of the white colour. Pastel dresses and even bold colours later became fashionable in the Empire style as well.

It is interesting to note that despite the fact films often show the Regency Era heroines wearing dresses that reveal arms and bosom during the day time, historically it was proper only in the evenings!

Have a look at the inspiration board for this look, and let me know what do you think about my outfit and my 'Regency hairdo' I managed to create in two minutes.

THE REGENCy Era FASHION in art and films:

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