On a side note, I did get to attend a lecture by Caroline Weber on her book "Queen of Fashion". Slap me on the wrist, but I haven't read it yet. I promise I will soon! I was impressed to find that she has origins in French history and self-taught the fashion history just for this book. Listening to her rattle off French terms made me very glad to have minored in it! Some of the most interesting information she discussed were the Poufs. That oddly wonderful three foot tall hairstyle which acted as a 18th century billboard. Now, I've seen images of women with ships on their poufs, but that was only the beginning! Those were termed "Poufs de Circumstance" having to do with current events or politics. On the other side are your "Poufs de Sentimente". This could be A la Trouche, with ostrich feathers, or even A la jardinier, with vegetables! She mentioned one headdress made of a cabbage surrounded by root vegetables. I can't imagine the weight of that!
There was much more discussed on Marie Antoinette's phase with wearing men's riding wear, the infamous portrait in the gauze gown, the colors of the revolution, her fashion designer Rose Bertin, and her final days in jail. I was told, if you speak French, to check out the book "La Modiste de la Reine". Now, if I can just find it.
1 comment:
Wow! Love this!
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