Elizabethan Influences In Modern Society

Both of these images are taken from a magazine shoot for Vogue Russia in December 2010.

Sharif Hamza - Photographer

Simon Robins - Fashion Editor/Stylist

Yannick D'Is - Hair Stylist

Asami Taguchi - Makeup Artist

Ashley Smith - Model

Reference: http://models.com/work/vogue-russia---6/34521

Although this images are clearly not strictly Elizabethan, you are able to see key traces and influences that the era has had on the styling of the make-up, hair, clothing and accessories. For example, both of the images show the model wearing some type of crown (in the style of Queen Elizabeth). The top image shows the crown being incorporated into the hair by the use of a bun, and then the crown has been attached within/over the top of the hair - this is similar to how they would put their hair in a bun and then put an item over it, e.g. a pillbox. Whereas, the bottom image shows a more realistic shape of a crown, however it has been put on at a slanted angle, to add a modern and quirky twist. Furthermore, if you look closely you are able to see that both images have incorporated plaits into the hair. 

The fashion garments and clothing clearly have an Elizabethan link; both of the images contain neck ruffles which were worn by both men and women during the era. The outfits within the images are much more daring and clearly reveal more skin and flesh than traditional Elizabethan items of clothing, but you are still able to see that the link is there. The top image uses an almost coral colour which contrasts with the dark background (like a traditional portrait would) but it is almost like the stylist has swapped a vibrant red for a more contemporary colour, which you now see used/worn much more in today's society, and this has been paired with a pearl bracelet, which were extremely popular amongst the wealthy in the Elizabethan period. In the second image, I think it would be fair to say that the item clothing the model was wearing could actually pass for Elizabethan, however they would have worn trousers/something to cover the legs, which clearly the stylist has decided not to do because it makes it modern and like a mini skirt/dress. 

The make-up on both of the models is not far from Elizabethan either - you are able to see that their eyebrows have been bleached out/covered and they both appear to have fairly pale skin on the face (not necessarily all over the body), although the eye make-up appears to be much darker than the Elizabethan's would have worn it, and in the bottom image the lips are dark, whereas Elizabethan's would tend to have red lips, but this just shows how times have changed and again, is just adding a modern twist to the look. 

The poses differ quite a lot between the 2 images - the top image is much more traditional; the model looks like she is sat/stood up straight, whereas the bottom images shows the model looking almost all over the place, which her hands waving around and knees facing in towards each other.