… Charles Worth, top designer through Victorian and Edwardian eras (late 1800’s and early 1900), claims to have invented the large paniers and short shepherdess look. We know better, as proven by the 1776 real garments on the left, and the 1850’s Worth sketch on the right.
Category: Fashion History Blog
Notice after Victoria, they aren’t Key WEARERS, but Key DESIGNERS…
… the world had changed, communications had changed, political boundaries had changed, and so loyalties had changed. In America in particular, there was an explosion of ideas and technology and so fashion. Countries worldwide were influenced by – countries worldwide – and not people of fashion specifically. Notable designers like …
Designer Worth and his son who took over the business..
.. crossed over into the Edwardian era. His Parisian House of Worth was “La Belle Epoque”, and embraced the corsets and lines of the Edwardians as well as Edward himself. Edward’s wife and most royals of the world wore Worths. (Left: Charles Worth gown 1882 Victorian; Right: 1901 Edwardian)
Queen Victoria really had no Fashion Icon rivals, but instead…
… competed with the influence of French fashion designers. Charles Worth of Paris was actually from England, but made a name and had extreme input to Victoria’s style. He invented the term “costume”, meaning “the right thing for every event”, and he introduced crinolines and hoops. His costumes for balls …
Caroline Bonaparte Murat runs second as “Fashionista” to…
… Empress Josephine of France. Caroline was Napoleon I’s little sister, who fell in love with one of her brothers offices. In exchange for Napoleon’s permission to marry a man without helpful political liasons, Napoleon set her up and moved them far away. Caroline did not get along with Josephine …
And, the Runner Up historical fashion icons are…
… Madame Pompadour! (“Little Fish”) Advisor and mistress to the King of France (and MANY others who kept her well fed), she was known for extremes and excesses – at her patron’s expense of course. She was known for 36″ high hair complete with miniature scaled ships (look for the …
And one more key fashion influencer, Edwardian…
… Alexandria of Russia. She was THE favorite in America during the Edwardian era because they were buddies with the US president at the time. She carried “La Belle Epoque” (French Parisian High Fashion) into the “Titanic” eras – along with famous Parisian designers introduced the Princess Line.. the hobble …
Victoria Eugenie “Ena”, Queen Victorias granddaughter…
… the Queen of Spain and goddaughter of Eugenie of France was the next key fashion influence. Her “hey day” was the Edwardian Era, although she was stylish well into the 1920’s. (Photo: Ena in about 1906 after her marriage)
Queen Victoria’s buddy also influenced Victoria fashion…
… Empress (later wife of the President when the empire was dissolved) Eugenie of France was another key fashion figure of influence. You can imagine the mix of admiration, curiosity, jealousy, and giggling when Eugenie first showed Victoria the new 8′ crinoline hoops. (Portrait: Eugenie in about 1862 in just …
The Victorian Era was next led by…
… surprise! Queen Victoria of England who dominated almost 60 years of fashion worldwide. Her exacting dictates regarding “costume” – every event had a specific fashion – led to white for weddings and black for mourning, which switched the previous rules. Even to her end, she was fashionable, and demanded …