Sunday Night in with Marie Antoinette

Happy Birthday Marie Antoinette!

 On November 2, 1755 Marie Antoinette was born in Vienna, Austria, making her 259 years old today.

I spent most of my Sunday, inside, relaxing and snuggling up with some good books, pot of tea,  and of course, blogging on my mind.

I thought I would share with you three amazing books about Marie Antoinette and her epic impact on the world through her fashions. 

                          RELAXING,TEA, and BOOKS!

Would you like a cup of tea?

Green Tea, is my drink of choice. Whenever  I want to unwind and relax, it is always a pot of green tea and a nice book. Now for a little nerd alert, here is an interesting fact about Green Tea.

Green tea contains catechins, which creates positive functions for all organs in the body. 

"It is cardioprotective, neuroprotective, anti-obesity, anti-carcinogenic, anti-diabetic, anti-artherogenic, liver protective and beneficial for blood vessels." 

Basically it means it helps you lose weight, prevents diseases, and improves all functions of the body. 

                                         BOOK #1

                                          (English)

              

'The Queen of Fashion' by Caroline Weber, is a fascinating book. I highly recommend this book because it has an interesting twist on the perspective of fashion and its influence and power in politics. When we think of politics we think of money, power, and the "issues" they petition for. However, even in modern day politics, 'fashion' is always used as a way to influence the views of a certain candidate. 

Neck tie color, hairstyle, eyeglass type, are some examples of fashions that are pre-analyzed to create an image of power and authority for a candidate. 

The same fashion manipulation was practiced in the Bourbon court over 250 years ago. The moment Marie Antoinette set foot on French soil, she was trained to dress and walk as a Queen. The idea of "Royal" meant you were the nearest to God, nothing about her could evoke "common". They even went as far as rearranging her teeth, without anesthesia, in order to achieve a smile of superiority.

Clothes were also political in the sense who designed them. Just as Michelle Obama makes a scandal when she wears a non American designer the same would occur if Marie Antoinette had worn a non French designer. 

As Marie Antoinette started to taking bigger risks with her fashion choices and went agains Bourbon traditions, this is when the problems began. She angered many powerful people, who then influenced a type of "tabloid" caricature of her to spread false propaganda.

 

A very interesting read, and well worth it.

                                       BOOK #2 

                                 (FRENCH & ENGLISH)

           

LE XVIII AU GOUT DU JOUR : Couturiers et Createurs De Mode Au Grand Trianon (The 18th Century Back in Fashion: Couturiers and Fashion Designers in the Grand Trianon) II actually went to see this exhibition in Versailles, France,  and purchased the book then. The book is written in French and English and it was made in correlation to the exhibition at the Grand Trianon. They displayed iconic modern day couture gowns inspired by Marie Antoinette, and such designer gowns by Lagerfeld, YSL, Gaultier, and Dior were displayed. 

The book also contains very detailed historical references and interesting information, highly recommended. 

                                        BOOK #3

                                         (FRENCH)

    

Modes du XVIII siècle sous Louis XVI et Marie-Antoinette, is a book I purchased in France. It is a beautiful book with hand paintings of the Fashions during the 18th Century. From accessories, hairstyles  hats, dresses, everything is included in a beautiful collection of what Fashion was like in the 18th Century. 

Another favorite of mine, it is highly recommended. 

x,

Maya

MARIE ANTOINETTE : Fashion Revolution

 Marie Antoinette was born an Austrian princess. Forced to marry, she was handed over to the Bourbon Court to be the next Queen of France.

From this moment on she was forced to give up her Austrian nationality, and become French. All garments were removed, and replaced with elegant and lavishly adorned French ones. 

Beyond just the French Revolution, it was her own Revolution in FASHION, that made her a legend. 

If there was an era in time I could choose to time warp into, it would be 18th century French "Nobility"(Im pretty sure the rest of France was starving). Known for a period of elegance, beauty, and femininity it was also going through a period of "Enlightenment".

Join me as I time travel back to the 18th century, to explore and understand the impact of Marie Antoinette's Revolutionary style.

  

                                      The "POUF"

After her husband was crowned King of France, she debut a new hairstyle called the, "pouf". The hairstyle was heavily powdered and teased extremely high, elongating the neck, and extending the forehead. The  hairstyle was often topped with a cluster of white ostrich feathers, or some other form of adornment that she wished. Sometimes even placing an entire boat on top of her head. She was fearless, and soon all of upper French Society was emulating her hair raising style. 

                                THE ENLIGHTENMENT

The period during Marie Antoinette's life, was going through and Age of Reason or the "Enlightenment". It was at this time that individualism was celebrated, and the art of reasons were practiced. Traditions were now being questioned p and broken. Women were beginning to voice their opinions and practice their rights' as individual thinkers. 

                                         HER STYLIST

It is odd to think Marie Antoinette had a stylist but it is documented that she made weekly trips to Paris, and met with the most famous designers of that time. Rose Bertin, started out by selling her fabrics, but soon became her most trusted stylist. 

                                   'Robe a la Polonaise'

'Robe a la Polonaise", was a provocative and edgy creation, pioneered by the Queen herself. It included a bosom-enhancing corset and daring reveal of the ankles. Instead of panniers, fabric was gathered in the back and the  sleeves were now tighter around the elbow's and adorned with frilly lace.  The "Polonaise" was soon adopted by the French and English Courts. 

                                         "THE CORSET"

Marie Antoinette often refused to wear corsets that were use to enhance her posture and shrink her waist. While riding horses, she grew a love for male breeches and male riding jackets.

                                  "Chemises a la reine'

By 1780, Marie Antoinette was now spending her days freely at the Trianon, in her private gardens and away from the scrutiny from the French Court. With her new found freedom, her clothing changed as well. Although highly controversial, she began to wear a thin, muslin, 'chemises a la Reine' which was delicately tied with a silk ribbon at the waste. It was then worn with a straw hat, mimicking a soft, elegant "peasant look".

At the time, such a dress was considered "pornographic" or equal to wearing "lingerie" in public. It was highly criticized by French Society but like true Antoinette style, it soon became another trend.  

                                             Tea Time! 

In true 18th century style, I relaxed for a nice afternoon tea. I had special "18th century" hot chocolate, which is actually spiced with cinnamon plus a cold glass of rose water.The cake, was filled with cranberries, rose, lavender, and orange honey. Delicious! 

Marie Antoinette, is often remembered for her tragic ending, but it is her unwavering attack on Fashion that makes her iconic. Her constant push against traditions, made huge impacts in how fashion is approached, viewed, and practiced today. 

The common denominator is always to be fearless. The fight to be who you are will often receive a great deal of criticism, and that is life. C'est la vie. 

Following the pack will keep you out of trouble, but it also leaves your life as quite forgettable.

xo,

maya