I'm always fascinated by history. Their stories, fashion and lifestyle seems like a drama shows that happened to be true and triggers my inner geekiness. One of the top historical icon that I'm always intrigued by is known for her style yet tragic ending.
Let's have a little history lesson! Some reading is needed but also could be more interesting than you thought it would.
Who is she?
Marie Antoinette born as the Arduchess of Austria in 2 November 1755. To create alliance between Habsburgs and France, her mother Marie Therese arranged her marriage. Only at 15 years old she was married to the future French King Louis XVI on April 1770, and enter the French court at Versailles. It was a difficult transition for her. She was disliked by the French when she first came because she came from Austria, which was one of French enemies. But charmed by her bubbly personality and beauty people eventually came to accept her.
Young Marie Antoinette
Rococo style Decor
During her marriage she was pressured to give birth to an heir (to secure King Louis XVI throne) but she only able to have a baby after 7 years of marriage! (Many said that it was because of King Louis XVI who rarely slept with her). Pressured by the endless criticism by her mother, she began to spend tremendous amount of money on clothing, gabling, parties, living life full of lavish & luxurious things. Because of her reputation of lavish spending, she was accused on one of the famous affair, the diamond necklace incident where she was actually innocent. (which yes, you guess it! ruins her reputation even more!)
Marie Antoinette played by Kristen Dusts
Marie Antoinette gives a concert in this 1775 by Jean-Baptise-André Gautier Dagoty
Le Petit Trianon
As a Queen, she Le Petit Trianon (a chateau) was build for her as her getaway. After it was build, she spend most of the time there playing as commoner, milking cows and other things commoners do. Life at the palace of Versailles was full of lavish and luxurious things. Masquerades parties, extravagant lifestyle, good food and other entertainment were on its peak. (#FunFact: she spent 3 solid days gambling with friends up to her 21st birthday! wow) While in contrasts the commoners even can't even afford to buy bread to eat. Therefore the people wanted to bring down the monarchs and attack the versailles. The french revolution had begun, King Louis XVI had been executed and Marie Antoinette was beheaded on 16 October 1793 in the age of thirty seven.
In short it was a life full of hope and lavish things that ended in tragedy. (There's a lot more interesting details that you can find out!)
Which Era?
Many mistakenly thought that Marie Antoinette reign was during the Baroque era. While in fact during her time it was considered the ROCOCO era. It was a common mistake, for both era has quite similar style in one glance.
Rococo Style Design
The Rococo era happened during the 1715-1789. It is also the time of the “Enlightment”. During this period, the traditional ideas of authority was challenged and new political theories developed. There are also the believe in applying the empirical method to answer the scientific problems. The Rococo period first started during the reign if Louis XV. But after the death of Louis XV, the throne came down to the hands of Louis XVI. By this time the trading system had developed. Europe imports raw materials such as china wear which is very popular and high in demand for it is considered fashionable. Not only that they import things but they also export finished goods.
The Swing by Jean Honore Franonard
(One of the most famous Rococo Art)
Some of the distinct features of the Rococo era is the lighter, pastel baroque shade of color that they used and also the curving that is known as the foliage. Rococo period has its own distinctive motif. The shell that was combined with flowers, feathers, ribbon bow knots, the curves and curls are all often used in one design. But through the end of this period the costume was more dignified and less fantastic. Rococo era ends during the French Revolution. Where both King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette were both beheaded.
Style? (Hers & during the Rococo era)
Living life in lavish things, she particularly fond of her appearance and spend a lot of effort in her clothing and hairstyle. It was expected that as the Queen of France she would lead fashion and would spend most on clothes.
Marie Antoinette Dress
The height of fashion could be seen during this period. It demonstrates a lot of professional embroiders, artistic designs, motifs and uses of appliqué, ribbons and feathers. Marie Antoinette has her favorite dress maker Rose Bertin (often identified as the first couturière and so well known that was dubbed as the minster of fashion) to make all her dresses. The dresses made was wildly extravagant, the bigger the better (some reach as much as 16 feet in diameter!), long trains and excessive embellishment. Best known court dress was the robe à la française (popularized by Madame de Pompadour, the mistress of Louis XV). Another known court dress was the robe à l'anglais. Pastel colors mostly preferred during this Rococo era so it was also depicted in the fashion.
Robe à la française (also known as sack back gown)
Other than dresses, the shoes during this period was superb (well at least to me!) It looks like what's on trend today! Slippers or what you call slip on heels. Maybe on today's world something like what the shoe brand Midnight Zero Zero or Roger Vivier.
Rose Bertin
Court Heels
Now for the hair, she had her own hairdresser named Léonard, who was the one that create the iconic hairstyle that Marie Antoinette was known to have, the poufy, tall, gigantic hair. Hair play a huge part of Marie's life. Even in the midst of her downfall during the French revolution, it was written that she said "Come, Léonard, dress my hair, I must go like an actress, exhibit myself to a public that may hiss me." During this period, both men and women often powdered her hair and apply a substance called pomatum. They would use any thing you can think of to make the pouf! (like wires, wool, pads) and would decorate it with jewels, feathers, etc.
Making political statement using clothing & dressing goes waayyy back! Pouf à la belle poule is Marie Antoinette's hair known as Independence Coiffure. It was created after the French victory over a battle with a ship named named "Belle-Poule", which became a source of great pride for France. At that time, women had no presence in government or military so hats & hairstyle is a way for French ladies to show support.
Its crazy and overwhelming yet interesting to see how people dress centuries ago. Basically clothing and fashion during this era was never intended to be comfortable or practical. (well now we know where the phrase "beauty is pain" comes from)
Fashion Inspired by her?
I can say that there is a lot of designers, fashion houses and collections that was inspired my Marie Antoinette and her era. Here are some that are well known and what I considered the most inspired looking collection.
Lastly, if you are interested i recommend watching the movie "Marie Antoinette" played by Kirsten Dunst. Some of the costume might be historically accurate, some are not but it certainly is an entertaining movie! Worth to watch! (well for a geek like me anyways😁)
Thats all for now,
au revoir💋
Bibliography:
Biography Online. (2018). Marie Antoinette Biography. [online] Available at: https://www.biographyonline.net/royalty/marie-antoinette.html [Accessed 22 Mar. 2019].
Arts & Collections. (n.d.). Marie Antoinette’s Shoes and Artioli. [online] Available at: https://www.artsandcollections.com/article/marie-antoinettes-shoes-and-artioli/ [Accessed 22 Mar. 2019].
Nationalgeographic.com. (n.d.). Marie-Antoinette’s Style Revolution. [online] Available at: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/archaeology-and-history/magazine/2016/09-10/daily-life-france-fashion-marie-antoinette/ [Accessed 22 Mar. 2019].
Oswald, A. (2015). Marie Antoinette’s Gown-Royal Ontario Museum. [online] My Frugal Lady. Available at: https://myfrugallady.com/2015/09/21/marie-antoinettes-gown-royal-ontario-museum/ [Accessed 22 Mar. 2019].
Smith, S. (2012). Marie Antoinette Hair Styles Over the Years. [online] Bellatory. Available at: https://bellatory.com/fashion-industry/Marie-Antoinette-Hair [Accessed 22 Mar. 2019].