Here comes heresy ... . My all time Favorite Closet doesn'tbelong to Marie . I'm an Elizabethan girl.
She chose deeper colors and adored Black & White, mixed with
lots of gold and those endless pearl embellishments.
Sound familiar ? Could she have been a
previous incarnation of our - Madame Chanel?
I've thought of Elizabeth a lot recently . . . as I've worn my loose
summer frocks and run about barefoot.
How did she survive the heat in all those layers and corsets??
It isn't as if she simply retreated to the air conditioned
rooms in the castle.
I must admit to having similar concerns for another
fashion mentor: Scarlet O'Hara.
Running around beneath the shady branches of
the old Oak trees at all those picnics , in all those
petticoats. And then .. . . there were the heavy velvet curtains.
Mon Dieu.
________________________________
Have a cool and serene weekend, dear friends
in the Northern Hemisphere.
________________________________
[Dear Chrisy, and other Aussie friends:
we are so jealous of your chill!]
Mixed Media Art: copyright Judith Thibaut
16 comments:
Just watched "Elizabeth" this week - the BBC Helen Mirren version. The clothes were amazing!
I really like the piece of art at the heading of your post - did you make it? It's beautiful.
I love it!!!! You continue to inspire me with your beautiful artwork and creative air!
Luscious stuff! I often wondered how they survived the heat in those garments. Perhaps that's why women often had fainting spells? I know I would if had to wear things like that (nay! not for the sake of fashion!).
Not to mention the corsets...mon dieu!
I with you about the worry over corsets and heavy cloth in the summer. How did Elizabeth or Scarlett ever manage? I retreat to the AC room throughout the day...and maybe jump into the shower once or twice. Thank goodness that we have light fabrics, too. (I live in the tropics.) I love your design concept -music mixed with gold laced costume-what could be better? Have a cool weekend, Elizabethan girl Judith.
LOVE it!! Yes, if you haven't seen Helen Mirren as Elizabeth I, you must! Also the excellent book by Susan Watkins, "The Public and Private Worlds of Elizabeth I".
I would not be so concerned about Elizabeth and the English weather,quite different from the Sicilian, just to stay in Europe! besides have you ever been in a castle in summer? it is usually chilly! But I always wondered how they managed in winter without central heating. Weird (and comforting) how we all think in different ways!
I love the Elizabethian pieces!
Dearest Judith,
Your visit has really made my day! First of all, my husband as well battled for get this....12 years on his doctoral thesis!! He finally finished last year and we flew out to Boston for his graduation from BU. Don't let your husband let it fall by the wayside;it is worth every bit of the "glory", if you will, to get the thing done. I love all things Elizabeth and all the movies with Kate Blanchett and Dame Helen. And yes, I have often wondered what these woman of old did on hot days with all that garb! Your images are outstanding and thank you!! Anita
You are quite l'artiste, Judith, I loved your work! Yes, if you have not seen the BBC production of Elizabeth with Helen Mirren, it is a must.
Aaaah Elizabeth! She is one of my favs. Sadly I can't replicate her gold love but I'm equally passionate about exploration.
What a great post. What a fabulous blog!
Darling! she did not live in Santa Fe! Castles are chilly! now as for Scarlet, she fainted quite a lot and got the vapors. Cannot imagine wearing those get ups in the muggy south...guess that's why they drink so many mint juleps!!!
Ahh, I am an Elizabethean girl also - even named Katie (Katherine Elizabeth) after Catherine of Aragon and Elizabeth I respectively. Strong girls rule!
Elizabeth lived in Old Blighty and as the summers in England are often cold and wet she needed her heavy robes to survive the chill!! Love the velvet and pearls, always a winning combo in my book, xv.
Hi Judith, Beautiful work as usual. Your pieces are amazing. I for one whether it is hot or cold could not deal with a lot of layers of clothes. They must of had strong backs between all the hair or wigs and all those clothes.
Clearly, I need not waste any more concern over Liz and her comfort regarding the summer heat! I thank all of you who pointed out the difference in Southern Summers and those in the damp/drafty castles of England.
Perhaps Gina's note regarding the weight of those layers and wigs is more realistic for the Elizabethan women.
Of course she did live in a big drafty castle. But still - corsets in hot weather just boggles the mind. For that matter, corsets in any kind of weather! Lovely art you've created here.
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