The Bonaparte family of France continues to influence politics & fashion worldwide. We need to sort out whom is whom, because there were many with same or similar names through the generations. We’ve been discussing the ones from the first Napoleonic era, and we’re going to review them again so …
While Eugenie was crowned Empress in the beginning, France’s political structure went through 3 changes during her “reign”, eventually becoming a republic, with the title of “Emperess” replaced by “President’s Wife”. (Photo: Empress Eugenie on coronation day 1852) (Notice the dropped shoulders with fringe on her dress – a style …
… and the return of the Napoleonic era with Napoleon III. Louis-Napoleon Bonapart was the only President (1848-52) of the French Second Republic, and as Napoleon III Emperor (1852-70). He was the nephew & heir of Napoleon I. He was the first in France to be elected by popular vote. …
We can build it (uh.. with some limitations…) Check out the wonderful just posted HISTORY PAGES by era! Most anything you see on there, we can replicate. There are photos of real people doing real things & samples of actual garments with tons of interesting things we bet you didn’t …
… France, led by the example or direct policy of their rulers, has guided fashion directly or indirectly for almost 200 years; much of that during the 1740-1914 eras for which we build costumes. While America has had it’s influences on worldwide fashion, until about 1899, America was still very …
CHECK OUT FASHION HISTORY PAGES ON OUR SILHOUETTES COSTUMES WEBSITE…. learn about Asian Influence on Edwardians, French influence on bustles, American Western women of influence, what to wear to race a 1905 motorcar or play tennis, and more! There are soooo many photos, examples, and indepth details about the influences …
Hortense’s life crossed countries & political changes. The daughter of a somewhat “radical” fashion icon, she continued many of her mother’s fashionable ideas, while keeping them updated and new. Her influence was in the 1810’s, where her legacy was to carry high Parisienne fashion into the countries of Holland, Sweden, …
Napoleon made her return to Holland because he did not feel it was appropriate for a step-daughter to be living with him. Instead of returning to Louis, she moved in with a count & had an illegitimate son. At the end of Napoleon’s reign in 1814, she was given a …
She ended up loving the country & all who lived there, & when her son, Napoleon III died as a child in 1807, she returned to France, where she was embraced back into the culture. (portrait: Hortense daughter of Josephine who was wife then ex of Napoleon Bonaparte I. Hortense …
… married Napoleon’s little brother, Louis under Napoleon’s directive. Being happily ensconced & loved by Parisian society, she did not want to move to Holland when Louis became King of Holland. They did not get along, & spent their time avoiding each other in the large castle. (portrait: Hortense in …
