#Headdress and wig for Cleopatra
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Headdress and wig for Cleopatra designed by Oliver Messel for the film Caesar and Cleopatra, adapted from the play by George Bernard Shaw, released 1945
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Let's build a Ptolemaic Pharaoh!
Sadly, I ran out of room and had to cut the options about boyfriends, mistresses, and incest.
Thanks to @allbeendonebefore, @ahallister, and @en-theos for the feedback and inspiration!
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Oliver Messel, Headdress and wig designed for Vivien Leigh in Caesar and Cleopatra, 1945 (Victoria & Albert Museum, London)
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A significant part of Cleopatra VII Philopator’s enduring reputation is as one of history’s most famous femme fatales, renowned for her beauty and wit which attracted not one, but two of the Roman Republic’s most powerful men.
Whether or not this popular characterization of Cleopatra is historically accurate, her reputation has led many to wonder whether she had any particular beauty secrets that she used to ensure Julius Caesar and Mark Anthony.
The historical record does provide some clues as to how the Ptolemaic dynasty’s most famous ruler presented herself, from hairstyles to clothing, and even makeup.
Although we cannot be entirely certain how she presented herself, there are enough historical details to piece together a reasonable picture of how Cleopatra might have presented herself.
Was Cleopatra really a beauty?
As the old adage goes, “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.”
As far as the ancient sources are concerned, the question of Cleopatra’s beauty raised mixed responses, with some ascribing an irresistible physical appearance to her and others attributing her allure more to her intellect and charm.
For example, Cassius Dio (164 to c. 235 AD), an ancient Greek historian, described Cleopatra as “a woman of surpassing beauty.”
During the first meeting between Julius Caesar and Cleopatra, Cassius Dio wrote:
"Caesar, upon seeing her and hearing her speak a few words, was so completely captivated that the Roman general acquiesced immediately to Cleopatra’s requests."
Plutarch (c.46 to c.119 AD) also briefly commented on the Ptolemaic queen’s appearance in his Life of Mark Anthony.
Contrary to Cassius Dio, Plutarch did not reckon Cleopatra’s beauty to be particularly noteworthy but instead praised her intelligence and character.
“Her beauty, so we are told, was not itself outstanding; it did not immediately strike those who saw her; yet being with her had an inescapable hold; when talking with her, she was persuasive, and the character which surrounded her whole manner in company had a force to it,” wrote the Greek historian and philosopher.
Hair and makeup
In the few surviving marble busts of Cleopatra, she is depicted wearing her hair tied at the back in a bun.
Historians like Paul Edmund Stanwick refer to this as a “melon hairstyle.”
Coinage depicting the queen shows her wearing the same hairstyle.
Depictions of Cleopatra with this hairstyle also show her wearing a diadem, a symbol of royal power adopted by many Hellenistic rulers who succeeded Alexander the Great as the masters of the divided fragments of his empire.
Professor Diana Kleiner of Yale University has identified two more hairstyles worn by Cleopatra.
One of these hairstyles emulated those worn by Macedonian queens, which is unsurprising given Cleopatra’s lineage.
To achieve this style, the hair was carefully divided into individual curls, which were typically swept away from the face and elegantly gathered into a bun positioned at the back.
According to Professor Keline, it may have been worn during travel.
The other hairstyle was “the usual Egyptian wigged headdress that had its origins in Pharaonic times.”
In this case, the main point of attention would have been the headdress rather than the hair itself, with a rearing cobra made of precious metal proudly displayed.
Professor Kleiner explains that “Cleopatra appears to have worn different coiffures in different circumstances, playing to her audience, so to speak, in life and in art.”
It would have been important for her to present herself in the Hellenistic fashion to the Greek elites who held the most senior positions in Ptolemaic Egypt, but also in traditional Egyptian fashions for her ruler to appear legitimate to a native Egyptian audience.
Regarding the Ptolemaic queen’s makeup choices, she would darken her eyebrows and enhance her eyeliner using black kohl, creating an elongated look.
The application of deep blue eyeshadow extended gracefully up to her brows, further accentuating her eyes.
Additionally, Cleopatra embraced the fashionable trend of adorning her hands with intricate henna patterns, a popular practice during that era in Alexandria.
Clothing
Cleopatra wore a variety of Greek, Egyptian, and Roman outfits intended to accentuate her beauty.
The selection of these styles would have been dependent on the contexts in which the queen appeared, as it was important for her to present herself accordingly to her friends, foes and subjects.
One of the styles she wore combined Greek and Egyptian aesthetic sensibilities and is seen depicted on sculptures of other Ptolemaic queens.
This style consisted of a sheer dress, likely of a semi-transparent material, which left the bare breasts exposed in a manner popular amongst native Egyptian women.
The depictions of other Ptolemaic queens wearing this style are consistent with the writings of the Roman poet Lucan, who claimed that she wore a transparent dress that exposed her breasts, likely made of Chinese silk.
Lucan also described the jewelry she wore, writing that “her baleful beauty inordinately painted, covered with Red Sea pearls, a fortune in her hair and around her neck, weighed down with jewelry.”
NOTE:
Cleopatra VII Thea Philopator (70/69 BC – 10 August 30 BC) was Queen of the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt from 51 to 30 BC and its last active ruler.
A member of the Ptolemaic dynasty, she was a descendant of its founder, Ptolemy I Soter, a Macedonian Greek general and companion of Alexander the Great.
#Cleopatra VII Thea Philopator#Cleopatra#Queen of the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt#Ptolemaic Dynasty#Ancient Egypt#Ptolemy I Soter#Ancient Macedonians#Julius Caesar#Mark Anthony#Cassius Dio#Plutarch#melon hairstyle#Egyptian fashion#Lucan#Ptolemaic Queen#Hellenistic fashion#Alexandria#Beauty Secrets of Cleopatra
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So I was looking through several portraits of several historical figures
And here's what I gather from several of their fashions so far :
. Borte does kinda often dress like Princess Yue ( at least to me ) - fancy crowns, furs and such
. Catalina D'Aragon often wears splashes of black and gold, with big dresses and Pearls
. Cleopatra VII loves figure flattering dresses that are often made of silk, and gorgeous headdresses, Pearls, and often switching between Egyptian wigs and styling her dark reddish hair in complex coiffures
. Julius Caesar is defo quite a fashion dandy in that he often wears bold ass colors ( notably red ) with gold accessories
. Lucrezia Borgia does often kinda dress like Lucrezia does in the Borgia series - opulent dresses with long golden hair in often complex coiffures and such
. Wu Zetian does often dresses kinda like Zetian does in Empress of China
. Khutulun often dresses kinda like Katara ( at least to me ) - shieldmaiden armors with braided coiffures and such
. Richard the Lionheart often dresses kinda like Godric Gryffindor ( at least to me )
. Ann of Cleves does often dress kinda like Helga Hufflepuff ( at least to me )
. Louis XIV us a flamboyant af dresser with decadent robes and huge feather hats and such
. Mozart is also quite a fashion dandy with flamboyant coats, gloves, and feathers and such
. Ekaterina II of Russia often dresses kinda like a beautiful Pavlov cake ( at least to me ) - big dresses with big hairdos and such
. Anne Boleyn often dresses kinda like a mix of Queen Aurora and Margaery Tyrell ( at least to me ) if they lived in the Tudor Era in spades - floral accessories, A Line dresses and such
. Elizabeth of York often dresses kinda like how I imagine book! Sansa to dress like
. Henry VII often dresses kinda like how I imagine book! Jon Snow to dress like
. Malcolm III does often dress kinda like Bran Stark ( at least to me ) if he lived in the 11th century
. Saladin does often dress kinda like Jafar ( at least to me )
. Eleanor of Aquitaine dresses often kinda like how I imagine book Olenna to dress like ( if Olenna lived in the 12th and 13th centuries and such )
#historical figures#historical fashions#fashion icons#wu zetian#cleopatra vii#julius caesar#richard the lionheart#saladin#a lot of them
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18K Gold Cleopatra Pendant
Purchase this elegant genuine cluster of 18K gold depicts engraving of queen Cleopatra in polished gold and on the head unique headdress that formed a type of outer wig, flowing like waves of hair in long, flexible strands of matt gold beads .it is known for its superior finishing as one of our glamorous masterpieces.
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Working on Nephertiti-Cleopatra doll :) She will have two dresses, one of them completely embroidered with beads in a net pattern, one magentic wig and and the Nephertiti classical tubular headdress. Soon more details!!! #porcelainbjd #handmade #argentinaBJD #arteargentino #porcelainballjointeddoll #balljointeddolls #bahiablanca #dollmaking #nephertiti #cleopatra #sculpture #poseablesculpture (en Bahía Blanca Provincia De Buenos Aires Argentina) https://www.instagram.com/p/CByAmknjlob/?igshid=1d02s79sgt8ph
#porcelainbjd#handmade#argentinabjd#arteargentino#porcelainballjointeddoll#balljointeddolls#bahiablanca#dollmaking#nephertiti#cleopatra#sculpture#poseablesculpture
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Visual artist Temitayo Ogunbiyi visited the galleries and reserves of the Brooklyn Museum this summer during her 2018 tenure as a Smithsonian Artist Research Fellow. Her research on botanicals and historic hair-based art will inform upcoming projects in the US and Nigeria. Here, she reflects on her experience at the Museum.
Untidy hems can unnerve me, especially if there is any contrast between the thread and fabric. I look at things closely—from hairs of brush strokes to gradients within pencil marks. I'm usually searching for repeated shapes, techniques, and patterns. Through similar objects, I connect my studio practice to my life. So doing, I link seemingly disparate works. And in the process, I welcome the opportunity to confront boundaries of time and place. These often structure academia and guide institutions.
My Brooklyn Museum visit began in the Egyptian collection. The texture of braided human hair extensions carbon dated to ca. 2114-1502 B.C.E. took me to two memories. The first was Halloween, over two decades ago, when I dressed up as Cleopatra. I sported (awful) thick eyeliner and synthetic, braided hair extensions. A stylist melted their ends to hold the strands together. The Egyptian extensions also reminded me of today’s crocheted, braided attachments. Someone was smart for coming up with those. Or was the inventor smart enough to bring back something Egyptian?
I looked at several nineteenth-century Lei Niho Palaoa Hawaiian necklaces of human hair. And I recall Victorian Hair work, a concurrent craft with molded human hair. And I remember my Hawaiian neighbor across the street. Her hair touched the ground as she walked. Then, there is the numb feeling in my neck, when I was 19 years old. A young boy in Ibadan, Nigeria added what felt like 1 million braids of synthetic extensions to my hair. Those extensions were uniform, like the Lei Niho Palaoa, and a pain to take out.
Next is the Coastal Wari wig headdress from present-day Peru. The wig dates to 600-1000 C.E.—and talk about something being in pristine condition! Its cotton fibers wrapped around human hair remind me, again, of Victorian Hair work. The technique is also in threading hairstyles that were once popular in Nigeria. I have been building a relationship between the two. Stacked colored threads in the headdress, are against the chocolate brown hair. It evokes friendship bracelets that I made when I was much younger. I'd tape colored thread to brown, faux leather seats in the yellow school buses that took me to and from school.
Then there is the Karamojong mudpack coiffure. At once it is a fabulous headdress, a sculpture, and a cluster of July 4th fireworks. It is also the collection of lichens from Jamaica that I studied this summer in Washington, D.C. . I remember of Somi. She is my dear New York-based, Ugandan and Rwandan friend. How transnational can a life today be? She just left Lagos. And here, in Brooklyn, I’m looking at something collected in Uganda, and now housed in New York.
With these observations, I try to think about what I see because of what I’ve seen. The challenge is to free myself of my biased views. I seek to do this by embracing tangents to build new, untidy narratives. These aim to highlight a willingness to celebrate different contexts. This matters, especially today when divide, ignorance and intolerance are trending.
Posted by Temitayo Ogunbiyi
#bkmegyptianart#bkmafricanart#artist#artist visist#brooklyn museum#african art#hair#art#thread#fabric#egyptia#extensions#braids#hawaiian#necklace#nigeria#headdress#peru#wari#karamojong#mudpack#coiffure#sculptuer#firework#brooklyn#nyc
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For @ilwinsgarden a little Christmas fic. Ian and Barbara attend the UNIT Christmas Party. (Hope it’s alright) :)
Ian placed Barbara’s coat around her shoulders and then helped put their son John’s seatbelt on in the back of the car.
Barbara fiddled around in her handbag. “Oh, did you remember the bottle of wine? I’d be awfully embarrassed if we didn’t bring anything.”
Ian peered in at the backseat next to John and saw it snuggled up beside their son who was now belted up and eager to go.
“Wine’s ready. I’m ready. You ready for the off little champ?” Ian said as he ruffled his son’s hair.
Barbara laughed as she and Ian got in the car and saw their young son raise his hands in the air. “Yay!”
“Just don’t drink the wine eh Johnny?” Ian said.
Barbara slapped him playfully on the arm. “Don’t give him any ideas.”
“I suppose he might take after you, like a bit of a drink.”
Ian waited for her to playfully strike him again but she just folded her arms. “I don’t think you should talk to me that way when I’m dressed like this. My costume character certainly wouldn’t accept such a comment.”
“Your costume is covered by your coat so it doesn’t get an opinion yet, and why haven’t you got your wig on either?”
“I thought I’d put it on when we got there.”
…
Party music greeted then as soon as they arrived at the town hall which was rented out for many of UNIT’s functions, and Christmas time was one occasion when the organisation went all out and held a fancy-dress event. Of course, the guest list was strict and the Chesterton’s were very pleased to be invited after their hard work with the establishment the previous year.
The Brigadier had to be persuaded year upon year to participate but everyone knew he secretly enjoyed the festivities and that he had never missed a single one.
After authorisation at the door they walked inside, and Barbara placed her wig on her head. The hall in front of them was transformed into a winter wonderland with fake snow and Christmas trees and all sorts of beautiful decorations. John didn’t know where to look, his eyes in a constant state of wonder.
As Ian hung up their coats, Jo arrived to greet Barbara and smiled warmly.
“Hi Barbara,” she said hugging her tightly and then also hugging Ian as he joined them. “Hi Ian.” She leaned down to little John and handed him a candy cane. “Here you are darling, and don’t you look gorgeous?”
She looked at the teachers. “Your costumes are fabulous. Let me guess…Cleopatra and James Bond…and even a mini James Bond. What a lovely family you are.”
Ian was about to respond to mermaid Jo when she was pulled away dramatically by Benton and Yates who were dressed as sailors. Ian couldn’t help but laugh at the sight of Jo unable to walk with her costume tail and practically being lifted by the men. He watched them leave but wondered why they seemed so very serious, whispering to one another and looking behind them before they shut the door.
“That was a bit strange,” Barbara said.
Ian scratched his chin. “Bit suspicious how she got called away just like that. Perhaps It’s a job for James Bond himself.”
Barbara laughed. “Would you like me to join you on this investigation, Bond?”
Ian kissed her hand. “My new Bond girl, Cleopatra, Queen of the Nile.”
“I think I can find time to rule an ancient land as well as helping you spy on someone.”
“Who can we leave John with?”
They both looked around the room and then saw him at the same time. “Brigadier!”
…
Barbara smiled, glancing at John as he sat next to the Brigadier at one of the tables. She wasn’t really sure why she and Ian had decided to play spies, but with a little wine inside her, and dressed like a Queen, she felt like she could achieve anything.
Ian meanwhile was watching Jo and Yates in a deep serious discussion by the exit door, having returned as quietly as they’d left. Whether they were going to the buffet table or to mingle, they kept meeting up and whispering dramatically at one another.
“That’s peculiar,” Barbara said, watching as Benton joined the couple and handed Jo a piece of paper.
“Something extra-terrestrial, you think?” Ian asked, leaning in close to his wife.
Barbara’s eyes rolled upwards. “Oh yes, well done, Bond. Aliens and UNIT, I wonder why my mind didn’t go straight to it!”
“Alright, alright, ask a silly question.”
At that moment, a waiter passed them carrying a tray of drinks and Barbara quickly grabbed each of them one, handing one to her husband.
“Here you go,” she said.
“Thank you. I hope it’s shaken, not stirred.”
“Oh Ian!” She ignored his satisfied smile and fiddled with her gold-looking headdress. “It’s fine being Cleopatra but all this fake gold is very uncomfortable. Top to toe, gold everywhere.”
Ian smiled. “Especially on that gold finger!”
“As Queen of the Nile it’s easy for me to have you escorted from the premises. Anyway, whilst you’ve been making bad jokes, I’ve been paying attention and something is definitely wrong. Our friends have gone again, almost vanished into thin air.”
“Shall we take a look…access all areas?”
Barbara nodded, grabbed his arm and they discreetly disappeared behind the double doors that led to the kitchens.
“Where did they all get to? Do you think the Brigadier’s been informed and what was on that paper?” Ian said.
Barbara peered back around the door and spied another UNIT officer playing with some toys with John at the table. “The Brigadier’s gone too and John appears to have a new playmate. Look, perhaps its not our place to get involved.”
Ian smiled. “Might be interfering in something best left alone eh?”
Barbara grinned. “Well, I suppose some things work out for the best by knowing the details, and besides as Queen of the Nile its my right to be informed of possible danger. After you, Bond.”
…
It had been a long time since the Chesterton’s had done any detective work and so they found themselves clinging onto each other just like old times. They decided to sneak behind the scenes and see if they could find out what was going on, realising that wandering the corridors reminded them of their time on the space-ship where they encountered the Sensorites. Unlike then however, they spotted the Brigadier lurking suspiciously and followed him to a room where he, Jo, Benton, Yates and two other UNIT employees disappeared inside and locked the door. There was a glass panel above the top of the door and so they couldn’t reach the window to see what was happening.
“Well we could knock on the door and ask?” Barbara reasoned.
“And be asked to leave before we find out anything juicy? No, we’ll have to use our spying skills and look in?”
“Spying skills?”
“You climb on my back and we’ll look through that glass. See if you can take a peek at any top-secret files.”
Barbara looked at Ian and sighed. “I don’t think I can climb on your back in this outfit. We’ll just have to look around in another room, gather some evidence of our own.”
“Room 007?”
“Ian, if you don’t be quiet I’ll make sure this Bond adventure is your last.”
…
They made their way into the adjourning room, which was completely dark, bar a small opening coming in from behind a slightly open curtain. Crashing in to each other, they made it priority number one to find a light switch. Barbara found it after several minutes feeling along the walls in the black.
She jumped back in surprise when the light returned, not realising Ian had been standing quite so close.
“Thank god for that,” Ian said, before quickly drawing their attention back to the door in the centre which was adjacent to the mysterious room they wanted to get inside.
Barbara paused for a moment. “Do you think we’re being silly, is it really our place to get involved?”
Ian hesitated for a brief minute. He adjusted his bow-tie and sighed. “Oh, I don’t know. Maybe I’ve just missed it.”
“Me too,” Barbara said softly, giving her husband a sympathetic smile, “oh Ian, are we pathetic?”
Ian pulled her close to him and cuddled her tightly, wrapping his arms around her. Whenever she was in his arms it felt as if everything was alright in the world.
He smiled. “I’m afraid we are pathetic, Barbara, but I still love you. And I still want to know what’s going on. I mean, we’re only human after all.”
She bit her lip with excitement and they raced to the door, crouching down and then slowly rising and peering through the glass like two excited children. Through the pane of glass, the Brigadier and his team appeared to be crowded around a table reading over some papers.
“Damn, we still can’t hear,” Ian said, clicking his fingers in defeat.
“Really? I thought you’d have a gadget for every probability?”
Ian smirked. “Not in this particular suit.”
“Wait a minute,” Barbara said as she pulled a ladder away from the wall near them, “there’s a vent here, I can make out words.”
Ian rubbed her back as she climbed up the ladder. “Well done Miss Moneypenny! But I thought you couldn’t move in that outfit.”
“Desperate times call for desperate measures!” She balanced on the top rung of the ladder and listened carefully. Silence.
“Well, what are they saying?” Ian whispered.
Barbara sighed and whispered back. “Well, I don’t know. I missed it because you were asking what they were saying.”
“Sorry, go ahead.”
She listened carefully once more and then gasped.
“What is it?!” Ian asked.
“Can you see the Brigadier? He’s talking about the top-secret mission going according to plan.”
“And?”
“Well, Yates just said that plan to get them away was in full swing.”
“Get who away?”
“Jo is saying something about how they can’t reveal anything until he arrives.”
“Who’s he?”
“Well, I don’t know Ian. They’re just saying it like that. You don’t have to repeat my findings.”
“Its not the Master is it?” Ian shuddered at the thought.
“Now they’re talking about something called code…code…Oh I can’t hear its… Satan maybe?” But as Barbara struggled to lean in to listen, she fell off the step and went tumbling right into Ian Chesterton’s arms.
“Hear anything on the fall down, Cleo?” Ian said as he placed Barbara firmly on the ground.
She straightened herself out. “Oh, it’s no use, Ian. Maybe we’re not cut out for this. All I could get was there’s an operation under way right now and that the aliens or whatever are being escorted or something and well…they can’t announce it until some official arrives maybe?”
“Good assumptions, Barbara,” Ian said rubbing his chin. “Let’s go and check on John and then we can have a think about what our action plan is. If UNIT needs our help than we have to do what we can.”
“I agree.”
…
Arriving back at the main function hall, the Chesterton’s were shocked to find the room was empty except the grand Christmas tree and all the decorations laid out. Everything was as it was left- food half-eaten, wine left in glasses, streamers strewn across the floor.
“What happened?” Barbara said. “Was everyone evacuated whilst we were snooping?”
“Or worse…Barbara what if they were taken?”
“Taken, by whom?”
“By whatever thing the team have supposedly under control. What if he’s got them too?”
“Ian? Where’s John?”
Barbara felt she was going to crumble to the ground at the thought of John being snatched from her and Ian was ready to kill whoever had a hold of his son. They were looking around them, spinning around, surveying every area of the room when suddenly the doors sprung open and a man wearing a Father Christmas outfit entered the area carrying a small and gleeful boy in his arms.
“John!” Ian and Barbara cried in joyful unison.
“Mummy, Daddy, I’ve met Father Christmas!”
“So we can see!” Barbara said, half-excited for him and half surprised by the strange guest.
Ian leaned in to Barbara and whispered. “Who is that?”
“I don’t know.”
“Ah there you two are,” Father Christmas said with a deep and gravelly voice as he settled John on the floor. “My good friends at UNIT have kindly allowed us a few moments.”
“The Master?” Ian said, staring horrified at the man and pushing Barbara and John behind him.
The man laughed. “Oh, no, no, he’s not popped up yet. He hates Christmas, avoids it at all costs. Can’t say I blame him entirely, what chap of our level of intellect doesn’t? Well, anyway, merry Christmas Chesterton’s, or should I say Chesterton, Ian Chesterton? You know some say I was the inspiration for 007. And ah the brilliant Cleopatra. I met her once you know, the real one of course.” He kissed Barbara’s hand. “You make a charming replacement, my dear.”
“Sorry, who are you?” Ian said, yanking the beard away and pulling off the santa hat.
“Why it’s me!” He sounded offended.
“You’re not…the Doctor?” Barbara could barely say the words. She’d known from UNIT that he’d changed but she wasn’t quite sure what she expected him to look like.
“Doctor, it’s you, here for Christmas?” she said.
“It is, my dear. Why don’t we all have a nice glass of wine?” He called in the other guests and the room flocked with all the party-goers from before.
“We got you!” Jo shrieked as she joined them and kissed Ian, leaving a big lipstick mark on his cheek.
“You mean this was all planned?” Ian said.
“We knew you’d be curious,” Yates said. “But we wanted to keep the Doctor a surprise so we kept it hush hush.”
Barbara laughed. “Oh I do feel silly. Ian and I were running about playing Bond and Cleo.”
“Just as it should be. If you hadn’t had followed Susan, we’d never have met,” the Doctor said, shaking hands with Ian.
Benton held out his hand to Barbara. “Care to dance Mrs. Chesterton?”
“Oh, I’d love to Sergeant.”
Ian watched as Barbara went to boogie with Benton and then took Jo’s hand. The Doctor scooped John onto his knee and they sat and watched the festivities.
Yates winked at the Brigadier. “Fancy a dance, Brigadier?”
“Buy me a drink first, Yates, and we’ll talk about it.”
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A Brief History of Human Hair Extensions
Headdresses and hair extensions, traditionally, were regarded as a symbol of class. Even the modern times hold this practice but in a more subtle form. If you are attentive, the striking hats that the royal family members wear respects the age-old trend.
For both sexes, complicated braids and flowing ringlets running down extravagantly were a seal of societal status.
They were worn to announce a sense of royalty and grandiose. The same theory has entered the modern times as well. But, with a slightly molded benefit of wearing the sew-ins. As a confidence booster, hair extensions, now being an ordinary element, have enhanced the grooming standards.
However, the origin story of human hair wigs and treatment is extremely intriguing. Read along to know the engaging journey of human hair extensions so you can wear them with pride.
The Origin of Human Hair Extensions
5000 BC of Ancient Egypt. Yes, it is the documented evidence of the first ever application of hair wigs. A rich and wealthy background is what it used to represent with sew-ins.
Men practiced shaving their heads only to craft extravagant human hair wigs for themselves. So, technically, they are styling their own hair. Also, they weaved the hair of those who belonged to the lower strata of the society.
Moreover, even the poorer men had the opportunity to dress their heads to maintain the then trend. However, in their case, they used sheep wool which were dyed with the color that matched their shade.
Peacock blue was the hue that made the signature identity of Cleopatra. Also, they applied bee wax as well as resin in order to attach them tightly in place.
Among women, hair extensions were extremely popular. Mostly, they turned to bright colors for, as in their times, making a fashion statement.
The Egyptian aristocrats cherished varying twists, knots as well as hair braids defining their age, wealth, religion and class.
Hair Extensions and their transformation throughout the Centuries
The style of making extravagant hairdos modified with time. Also, frequent transformation were visible prominently among the Europeans as well as the Americans.
Large custom wigs were in vogue during the 1960s while the powdered wig was in vogue in the 70s. Perukes is what the powdered counterpart was named. King Louis, in fact, turned to these to cover his baldness.
The 18th century invited the Apollo. Tight curls sitting close to the scalp maintaining mounds is what the style was about. Popular among women, it was also one of the celebrated hairdo trends.
The Pompadour was the dominant one in the 19th century. And it was this that expanded the use of human hair wigs and hair extensions like an epidemic. With the Pompadour, the traditional indications of wealth, status and beauty rolled in once again. Virgin hair extensions were the signature attraction too.
Moreover, it was during this time that Britain brought in 100 tons of human hair wigs. Also, the price of each bunch cost a little less than a dollar.
The 1940s welcomed the introduction of artificial hair extensions. However, the pseudo hair wigs were not compatible since they damaged and made hair brittle.
Hair Extensions in the Modern Times
Enter the avant-garde time when different is the new look. Back comes the organic custom wigs. For volume and coverage, people rely on sew-ins. Also, this age welcomes liberty in colors. Bright and unconventional ones, for instance, purple, green or steel are sure to attract the spotlight.
Moreover, these modern virgin hair extensions refuse to detach from the rest of your hair. Now, this makes it appear absolutely natural. However, those used in the earlier days were not as intricately crafted as the modern ones.
These sew-ins are a life saver when you have plans for dinner at a restaurant or to attend an evening party.
Now, in case you desire to change the color of your hair, professional hair care services comfort your problems thoroughly. So, wear your headdresses proud and quick.
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2019 Met Gala Fashion Critique
2019 Met Gala Fashion Critique
Susan Sontag’s essay “Camp: Notes on Fashion” gave the Met Gala it’s theme this year. And what does that mean exactly? Think ‘Campy’ - not tents and s’mores. Over the top. Exaggerated. Artificial. Outrageous. For women, think Jem & the Holograms meets Cher meets RuPaul. Camp fashion is a very broad theme which allows for a lot of personal style. So for this year, while fashion is important, styling is even more so. We’re going to see couture on the pink carpet regardless, but who is going to get Anna Wintour’s seal of approval?
The Best
Cardi B
How does she manage to wow us after wearing the wild Mugler vintage piece from the Grammys? By wearing this dramatic quilted and sequinned gown that forces everyone else out of the picture. This is how you make an entrance at the Met. From the feathered trim to the matching gloves and cap, this Thom Browne dress was absolutely everything!
Lady Gaga
While I think Cardi B’s dress may have won my heart, Mother Monster stole the show with her outrageous 15 minute strip performance. She started off in a hot pink parachute dress with matching bow. After working herself up and down the steps, she shed her skin down to structural black dress…then down to a slinky pink gown and finally down to her bra and panties. I guess when you’re the co-chair of the event, you can do what you like. However, as one of the first to arrive, Lady Gaga set the bar crazy high for the rest of the attendees.
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Ciara
Not only is this emerald green color incredible on Ciara, but all the details were spot on with this Peter Dundas gown. The feather train, the sexy cut-outs, and all the sequins. But the real stunner was that head-turning Afro. The whole look was giving me vintage Cher vibes.
Zendaya
You really need to see this to believe it. This Tommy Hilfiger dress transformed Zendaya into Cinderella right on the pink carpet. The use of fibre optics makes this dress really magical. But the look doesn’t stop there - I loved the glass slippers and the hair style. Apparently the dress also had the capability to change shape as well…but hopefully not into a pumpkin at midnight!
Jennifer Lopez
JLo looked gorgeous in this Versace outfit with matching cap - however, I was a bit underwhelmed. Knowing what a true fashionista she is, I really expected a bit more from her. This look did remind me of Bob Mackie outfit from the 70s but we’ve seen this style of outfit on her a bit too often for it to have any novelty.
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Kylie Jenner
This Versace number was so spot on that I don’t have a single complaint. The plumage is fun and the matching wig ties it all together. The Versace gown is scandalous but in all the right ways. The silhouette is a knock out. I don’t think she has ever made my ‘Best Dressed’ list before - but this is pretty stellar.
Janelle Monae
This Christian Siriano dress was killer on Janelle. Drawing inspiration from the surreal, I love that this dress kept with her personal style of black and white while still being playful. I loved the Madhatter-esque hat and the blinking eye. Gotta love the exaggeration.
Katy Perry
When we think of modern camp performers, Katy Perry and Lady Gaga are the first to come to mind. Katy is always a favourite at the Met - so I was actually expecting her to steal the show tonight. While it was hard to top Gaga, she certainly looked luminous in this Moschino crystal dress. Oh yeah, and the attached fully functional chandelier! She looked gorgeous - but to have a bit more fun, she changed into a cheeseburger outfit later on. And no, you didn’t just misread that.
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The Worst
Billy Porter
Now before you get upset, I loved his entrance and I love the concept he was going for. Apparently he was inspired after watching Elizabeth Taylor as Cleopatra. Cool. But for me, thats where it ends. His outfit, designed by The Blonds, was too costume-y and not enough fashion. The body suit was ill-fitting and the straps were distracting. And while Elizabeth Taylor was camp, I don’t feel like an Egyptian Sun-God necessarily is. Did you get your years mixed up? The 2018 theme was Heavenly Bodies - and maybe this would have been more appropriate. Finally, Katy Perry rocked the wings last year…give it a beat before copying.
The Olsen Twins
This is likely the most un-camp outfits out there. You girls should have just stayed at home and read about Auntie Lori likely going to jail. The are dressed for a Blade movie marathon. Perhaps that can convince Anna Wintour to have next year’s theme be Vampire chic. Then they can wear these hideous lil trench dresses again.
Serena Williams
I understand what Serena was going for with this dress, but it failed. Is she wearing the dress or is the dress wearing her? This yellow Versace gown did no favours for her athletic frame and I think the colour was a bad choice. I don’t mind that she is wearing her collab running shoes and at least they match. Just too much going on here and not enough of it is working for me.
Kim Kardashian
Well…I like this dress. Not on Kim Kardashian. It borders on obscene with how tight it is. I’ve never heard of anyone being corseted into a latex dress. It’s actually a custom Mugler - who came out of retirement to design this for her. BUT…tonight she revealed that they have been designing it together for over 8 months. The theme for the Met Gala was only announced 7 months ago. So I feel like she just wore it because it’s fashion and not on theme. And her husband should have been denied entrance in his $43 Dickies jac. If a man isn’t going to dress in theme, he is still expected to dress black-tie for this event. Then again, Kanye would have to be a man. So…
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Jordan Roth
Well the man owns a theatre. So he decided to dress himself as one? Lame. Where is the fashion to this? How is this campy exactly? Is this actually an oversized kaftan? Fail.
Celine Dion
I was so torn on this. I love Celine and I actually love the Oscar De La Renta dress, even if it does weigh over 25 lbs. My major issue is with the styling. The headdress should have been filled with lush plumes and instead they look bare. Is the bird sick? Dead? It pulls a lot of attention and not in a good way. The makeup is a bit severe and she doesn’t look her best at all. However, if we cut her head out of the pic, she has never looked better.
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As the sun sank low in the sky, we stood once more looking at the figures on the temple. Now the lines were etched dark by shadows, and the Queen and King stood majestically tall, their elaborate headdresses towering above them, every detail of their wigs and jewellery sharp and clear.
“Here you will be Pharaoh for eternity,” I said to Caesarion, “You will always be young and handsome, always be offering gladsome gifts to the gods.”
Art allows us to do that, while life hurries us on to our crumbling ends.
The Memoirs of Cleopatra - Margaret George
#cleopatra#caesarion#ptolemaic dynasty#ancient egypt#the memoirs of cleopatra#margaret george#WOW this hit me hard#it's true and eerily prophetic
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Headdress and Wig for the film Caesar and Cleopatra, created for Vivien Leigh as Cleopatra. Messel made the wig from a range of everyday materials including papier-machee, glass, leather, beads, wax and wire. These materials made the wig and headdress very lightweight to wear.
- At the Victoria and Albert Museum, London.
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