Contemporary Make up and Hair

Alexander McQueen | Women's Autumn/Winter 1999 | Runway Show

The Autumn/winter 1999 has many influences of the Elizabethan era from the hair styles and the make up designs. The make up is based around white as the skin is made very pale, the lashes and brows aren't visible which is a very similar make up to the Elizabethan era as they bleached or plucked there eyebrows out and had barley any lashes. The 1999 runway eye make up was very simple and some models had a touch of white powdered strip across the eyes. The models had a variety of different hair styles, including techniques of frizzing, small beehives and braids which were widely know and used in the 16th century. Alexander McQueen in him Autumn/Winter 1999 runway show has included many factors that represent the Elizabethan Era. McQueen has made what I think is a contemporary Elizabethan feel to his 1999 runway which has a modern interpretation on the Elizabethan theme. 







McQueen Elizabeth 2013-

Queen Elizabeth I, The Ditchley portrait by Marcus Gheeraerts the Younger, c. 1592 on left. Alexander McQueen, FW 2013

Sarah Burton’s brief (the designer only showed 10 looks due to her taking time off for her pregnancy) yet exquisite show for Alexander McQueen FW 2013 was laden with historical elements of costume and symbolism. In keeping with the design house’s tendency to draw upon historical inspiration, Burton looked to ecclesiastical garb, the Ballets Russes, and specifically the sartorial influence of Queen Elizabeth. Burton would showcase a collection entirely in black and white, two colours worn by Queen Elizabeth to symbolize and reinforce her virginal qualities, ruff-like collars indicative of the 16th-century ruff, and Burton would also rework the men’s 16th-century jerkin, a tunic-style jacket with a pleated skirt, onto several of the looks shown.

The White Queen, Wonderland by Kirsty Mitchell-

The White Queens character was to be heavily based on Queen Elizabeth 1. Mitchell, who has a background in fashion and costume design, collaborated with hair and make-up artist Elbie Van Eeden. I think Mitchells work has many aspects that represent the era of the Elizabethan the fact she based her idea around Queen Elizabeth 1 portraying her contemporary clothes, make up and hair. The clothes looks very pure and her look is completely white, she has a large white collar around her neck which is very similar clothing in the 16th century such as the ruff. The pure white skin, lashes and brows has influences of the era. I really like this design as a whole as i think it had its own contemporary interpretation of Queen Elizabeth 1. This contemporary design inspires me when thinking about my upcoming assessment and what contemporary Elizabethan make up design I can create and how I interpretate the era myself. 

The Queens Amarda

photographic and information sources-
http://kirstymitchellphotography.com/galleries/wonderland/the-story-behind-wonderland/
http://www.mymodernmet.com/profiles/blogs/wonderland-returns-with-the-white-queen
http://www.whatsonningbo.com/news-8501-stunning-fantasy-world-photo-series-created-by-kirsty-mitchell.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AnC87dHBHMw
http://partnouveau.com/?p=1051