The jukebox plays my song:
"You Got It Bad" {eng}
Usher
I do not know much about English history and forgive me for my lack of ignorance of the plenty kings (I, II, III and more) or the many queens or the many who's who...If I could, no, should I say if I had the motivation, I would search up the facts and absorb myself into the past centuries of the English beyond my knowledge...But, yes there always seem to be a 'but', I just don't seem to find it fascinating enough...
However, there is one aspect of English history that always seem to intrigue me and hence, the fascination and motivation to search up every minute detail about it. That is, the fashion. The excess and the extravagance. And that is exactly what I witnessed when I watched the post-modern movie: 'Orlando' based on Virgina Woolf's novel.
The film is based upon a nobleman Orlando under the reign of Elizabeth I in the 15th century and weirdly enough, he remains forever young (as he had decided to), metamorphoses into a woman and moves from one century to another. And yes, I was quite bewildered. It has been a year since I studied literature and whilst watching the film, I felt the longing to learn about the film, to understand, to hold a bit of knowledge about the symbols, illusions, metaphors and what not. And I wonder whether I should take up on English literature again despite the essays that I dread but this is beside the point...
As I watched the movie, I became quite creeped out by Tilda Swinton who plays the character Orlando. Why! Her eyes were so deep with hollowness, it sent chills down my spine especially when she would swiftly and oh-so-suddenly look directly into the camera. Oh, the shivers! Sounds exaggerated perhaps but I had spent yesterday night trying to forget the image of those two empty saucers.
I knew not much of what was going on nor did I understand the different meanings but I was compelled to continue watching the movie for I was allured by the exquisite costumes of the different times...
LATE 1500 - 1600: DEATH
If there ever was to be Halloween here in Australia or if I was to move to America and celebrate it there, this is the costume I would choose!!
In case you're wondering, yes, the queen is played by the remarkable Quentin Crisp. And oh the English opulence is quite wonderful! ^^
In this age, bodices were either high-necked or had a broad, low, square neckline with a slight arch at the front. The bodices were stiffened into a cone sharpe or worn over corsets in which it was then fastened with hooks in front or were laced a the side-back seam. And the bodice ended in a V-shape at the front waist. [WIKI]
And good greif, that's just one layer. There was the underwear, the petticoat, the hoop/farthingale, the safeguardes and sometimes hooded cloaks. Did I mention the accessories such as the heavy necklaces, many rings, earrings, the headgears and gloves and etc etc etc. I think I would of suffocated in such a galore.
But such love for the extravagance.
1610: LOVE
[^] Wearing black; in mourning.
After reading 'Gone with the Wind', I wonder how long mourning had to go for, especially for a woman who had just lost her husband. What was deemed as a respectable amount of time for a woman to mourn before she could go to events, to gossip, to re-marry (if wanted) or otherwise be deemed as "too fast"?
1650: POETRY
[^] My sister screamed that the outfit above was so me and yes, I absolutely love it!! For men, the sleeves could be slashed, unslashed or divided into two parts and buttoned together. And oh gosh, do I love those sleeves and that huge bow tied around his neck.
It seems that pointed bears and wide mustaches were fashionable in that tme and goodness, I wonder what they were thinking. (><") It looks quite horrible I think. And what are those white puffs extruding out from his armpits - are they to mop up his sweat from reciting poetry aloud ??? (o'.'o)
1700: POLITICS
My sister who is currently studying this film told me that the men wore much more elaborate outfits than the women to show that they were the superior of the genders. Though I dearly love the costumes, I do think the men look ridiculous with such long hair...
Meanwhile, wigs made in many different styles were essential for the men of substance. Different wigs were worn according to the occasion and the age group. Wigs were often white and for the long natural hair, it was often powdered to achieve the fashionable look. [WIKI]
1750: SOCIETY
[^] One morning, Orlando awoke to find himself metamorphosed into a woman. Unfortunately he lost all his property, money as well as honour and alas, found himself restricted - socially and physically. When I mean physically, I meant by the hoop-skirts. Wide panniers, that is, skirts held out at the side, were worn by the women. In addition to the confining style, the image of a narrow inverted conical corseted torso were enforced by the extra tight stays/corsets worn above the skirts. Good gosh, now I fully understand why Keira Knightley nearly fainted in 'Pirates of the Carribean' and I don't even have the faintest idea of what time that movie was meant to be set in.
[^] I love the colour. The pastels. So lovely and sweet - reminds me of sweet candy.
[^v] Throughout the period, the men had their hair grown long. The hair was powdered white, curled at the sides, brushed back from the forehead and tied back at the nape of the neck with a black ribbon. I wonder why no other coloured ribbons were worn...but I guess black suits everything ... and would definetly stand out from the powdered white hair.
[WIKI]
Good gosh. Now I can truly imagine the width of such a dress! It must of been so uncomfortable to sit in! But as they all say something along the lines, one must sacrifice for fashion/fashion is painful.
1850: SEX
[^] Unlike the previous century with the ever-so-massive hairstyles for women, hairstyles in the 1850s became more simple. Hair was often tied in a bun or wound braid at the back. Meanwhile, flounces were used to make the skirts appear fuller.
[v] The sack coat (loosely fitted and reaching to mid-thigh) as an informal daywear was worn by men. Matching coat, waistcoat and trousers (as seen below) marked the beginning of the modern business suit. [WIKI]
I didn't want to end the post with '1850:Sex' but the film ends up in the PRESENT DAY: BIRTH and I'm pretty sure both you and I know what the fashion of the present is ....... ^^ And oh, I'm pretty sure I've got something mixed up and terribly confused and if so, do correct me.
So perhaps, I will end this post with:
NOW: FREEDOM
and a,
HAPPY BELATED VALENTINES DAY!
Lots of love, Cotton Candy
Labels: films/dramas, i am the paparazzi, they wear
