Elizabethan Ecclesiastical

After creating my own headpiece on a contemporary image, I decided to look at headpieces from the Elizabethan era compared to ones today. 

Queen Elizabeth I, Artist unknown, 1585-90. Available to view on wikimedia

Queen Elizabeth I. Pen and ink portrait drawing on vellum. Isaac Oliver. 1592-95 Available to view on wikimedia. 

Queen Elizabeth. Attributed to Hilliard. The phoenix portrait 1575. Available to view on wikimedia.



The portraits above show the type of  head dresses worn by Queen Elizabeth I. Each head dress was different and so elaborate with intricate detailing. The head pieces added to the outfit by giving that extra jewel that Queen Elizabeth was fond of. Pearls are seen in most, if not all of her portraits which represented the 'Virgin Queen' image. Furthermore, wearing a head piece would show that you are from wealth. Contemporary versions of the headpieces were seen on the catwalks at Alexander McQueen's autumn/winter 2013 collection.


Edie Campbell for Alexander McQueen. Photographed by David Sims. 2013. Available to view http://www.alexandermcqueen.com/gb/


Edie Campbell for Alexander McQueen. Photographed by David Sims. 2013. Available to view http://www.alexandermcqueen.com/gb/
The modern day Elizabethan! The whole collection is based around all things pure; ballets, nuns, popes, the high church and of course, the Virgin Queen. The headpieces are covered in pearls and tear drop pearls which 'Evoke beauty and rarity', (Campbell, 2013, McQueen website) much like Queen Elizabeth herself! The makeup is completely in keeping with the theme of the Elizabethan, white faces with a subtle blush and rose lips. I love how Campbell has created an over the face head piece to completely modernise the look, and creating something, dare i say it...rare. The second image shows how the hair was styled underneath the head piece. Tight curls in a cropped style, which really mirrors the hair style of Queen Elizabeth. This would have been created using wigs, which would have been quick to use especially when under pressure to get the looks out on the runway. The whole show just screams Elizabethan. Amazing!

Alexander McQueens Autumn/Winter Womens 2013 Collection. (online video) Published march 6 2013. (Viewed 20th October 2013) Available from: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8muJIRlx1eI