Yay or Nay? 18th Century Fashion at Royal Ascot 2011

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Well, hats certainly are in this year and two designers have teamed up to create a historical inspired look that débuted at the Royal Ascot today.   It is a near literal interpretation of fashion with an obvious 18th century flair for height.  For 1711 I am a bit confused, but the creation remains impressive never-the-less.



The Ascot is one of the most famous racetracks, and the social event of the season is held here for 5 days, where you can show off your best summer fashions.  Even the Duchess of Cambridge has  'rules for dressing for the races!'

"Milliner Louis Mariette's homage to Queen Anne, who officially opened the races at Ascot in 1711, with a towering headpiece made of fake hair, pearls and silk cabbage roses, with a dress inspired by the statue of Queen Anne, made by historical costume designer Kate Brooks. The outfit was worn by presenter, Anneka Tanaka-Svenska."


What do you think of their creation?

17 comments:

  1. I think it's gorgeous and if you're going to wear something like that, Royal Ascot is the place to do it.

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  2. This is so beautiful. I guess she had to hold her hair up the whole time.

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  3. @Elizabeth Kerri Mahon how true!

    @Shayla I did notice the pink ribbon seems to have the piece tied to her head!

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  4. I think it looks rather stupid - it's obvious she has to hold her "hair" in place by her hand all the time, or it would fall off. Just look, how on every picture she has her hand supporting that hairdo. :P

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  5. @Caramea I am surprised at this day in age (it is 2011 after all) that a better pouf cannot be constructed that does not require one to hold the hair or tie it in place. Maybe she was just insecure, never before having anything so heavy on her head?

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  6. No, for me it is to much ... but a i have respect for such a goog work! And it must be very difficult to wear.

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  7. eeeee! naaaaaay. I mean, it's cool they did it, but it's such a cartoon. Not saying it should be historically accurate, but at least not so plastic?

    naaaaay

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  8. Anonymous2:38 PM

    Hmmm--the draping at the front of the gown does suggest the mantua style of gown still popular in 1711, but the color is more of a Rococo and not a Baroque. And of course, we all know ridiculous hair wasn't popular for at least another 60 years, but I guess he confused lace and linen fontages with women's hair.

    It's fun, but it's not very 1711.

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  9. Lalita4:15 PM

    INGENIOUS, i've found my prom outfit! :D

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  10. Anonymous5:25 PM

    Very, very costume-y. The dress is a Nay, but I find that I like the hat/ hair more than I would have thought. Yay for the hair.

    ~Lylassandra

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  11. Fantastic hat is fantastic

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  12. Yeah, of course! Oh, great minds think alike. I posted a similar post without seeing this one! :)

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  13. I love the concept but, if one's hair is so large that it requires two hands to hold it steady, then one cannot possibly hold a champagne glass....therefore, a Nay, if for practical purposes alone.

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  14. @hierogothic you are absolutely right!

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  15. Nay, for it's too costume-y and badly researched w/the anachronisms on the 1711 mark.

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  16. It's too exaggerated . In my opinion it's a nay. I remember a description from Marie Antoinette's mother when she started wearing that fashion, "...from the roots of the forehead it raises as much as three feet, and is made higher by the superaddition of plumes and ribbons."

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  17. Nay. It is an interesting idea & has some very lovely elements, but falls down in the execution of it. This as a prototype would have been fine, but not as the end result. A pouf that did not have to be held up by the wearer or tied on would have been truly fabulous, better luck next time.

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