To The Duchess, an Invitation from the Queen

I've been laid up with my most recent surgery, so I had the chance to veg out by watching the Duchess on DVD! I wrote a review when the Connecticut Lolitas and I saw it in theatres, but the ability to watch it slowly and with an eye to detail resulted in some interesting fashion notations! The Duchess of Devonshire is noted as 'The Empress of Fashion' and her announcer commented to her waiting admirers: 'What she is wearing tonight I expect you all to be wearing tomorrow!' Want to capture some of her glowing style for your Lolita wardrobe? Try some of these tips!

• Georgian socks. In the wedding night scene, we get a close-up view of Georgiana's fabulous socks - similar to the ones seen in Marie Antoinette's bedroom scene with Count Fersen. They are over-the-knee style with large silk bows to keep them up. I love over-the-knee socks myself, because they keep a little extra warmth and give a different look than regular knee socks. Since I foresee difficulties with merely tying ribbons around your socks - slipping and untying, for example - try this: Stitch a broad satin (or grosgrain, if you prefer a more austere or more Lolita look) around the mouth of plain socks, leaving enough tail to tie them into a large bow. If you have enough leeway, you could stitch the bow in place - if not, just tie them up whenever you go to wear them.
  
• As shown in Marie Antoinette's Gossip Guide (a fabulous historical fashion blog!), drop-style earrings were very popular in the film. I especially like teardrop shaped pearls for a very elegant look. Some premade satin bows, the kind bought in packages at the fabric shop, would make lovely bases when glued onto earring-backs. Then added a jump-loop with a pearl drop for a cute earring style.
• Use of flowers was fairly prominent in the film as well. One large flower was fastened to the side of the neck on a thin ribbon as a choker. Others were woven into her giant curly hair for almost any occasion. I recommend trooping down to your local craft store and looking at some of the false flowers. For this style, I recommend anything that looks dried, or even the kind made out of soft paper. Muted mauves, soft pinks, and deep wines look best for that 'dusty' tone. It's very easy to glue a few to a hair barrette or comb, and then add a few strings of pearls or lengths of chain from the jewelry-making section.
• Lace caps - or, in the Lolita style, round headdresses - made quite a few appearances. They're mostly rounds done up in various styles of lace, perhaps with a center design of embroidery or flowers. She generally wears them as a centerpiece to her large curled wigs.
• Chokers were popular with the Duchess, and as spring is upon us, I think they would look very nice as a compliment to the blouseless jumperskirt style. Several styles of choker were showcased, including the above mentioned thin ribbon with large flower; a double strand of pearls; a large ribbon embroidered and decorated with a pearl drop at the center; and a choker decorated with ruffled chiffon, a strip of lace in the center, and a bow with jewels, in a very Angelic Pretty style.
  
• Of course I cannot get away without mentioning hats! She has quite a collection of hats in this film, some tall and adorned with foxes, others with shallow brims and large ties of chiffon. These are harder to add to your wardrobe unfortunately - but I can direct you to a lady much more knowledgeable to period hats than I!
• I'll also briefly mention her makeup. One of the things that struck me was the full brows - not the wispy lines of today. They are combed and clean-edged, possibly also trimmed with brow scissors - but not thin by any means. This is also generally a Lolita tip, because over-plucked brows look older, not younger. The makeup is mostly fresh-faced, featuring pale skin with a peachy or rose-toned blush. Eyes are done in soft beiges and vanillas, with a light stain on the lips. For a complete list of what was used on her face, try this article at Makeup 411.

You can also access the official The Duchess website for an overview of the clothing in the Costumes area, or this chat with one of the designers. And here is a lovely video with the actors and designers!

Since history has played quite a role in Lolita fashion - not only in the creation of it, but, I believe, the evolution - it's important to both study and take an interest in the historical fashions of the age. Besides the obvious eye candy factor, it can also add a sense of homage to our fashion ancestors - and a fresh breath into the Lolita style of the future.

Labels: film, style tips

posted by Victoria Suzanne @ 2:20 PM