An Illusion Of Haute Couture, Inspired By Marie Antoinette

Marie Antoinette still has a reigning influence in today’s fashion. Recently with Moschino’s Fall 2020 RTW show highlighted the extravagant styles of the royal courts of 18th-century France while featuring models Bella & Gigi Hadid. Their beehive hair do’s, hoop skirts, and lace-up platform shoes signified Marie’s philosophy of “Bigger is Better.” Marie Antoinette, Queen of France over 200 hundred years ago, has made a ghostly return to fashion.

Marie Antoinette, a fashion icon from the start, rebelled against strict rules for wardrobe by refusing to wear a corset that was ill fitting and lacked comfort. She threw out the courtesans from Versailles. Each morning she would work with her dressmaker, Rose Bertin, to make the most stunning and over-the-top look of the day. Together, they created the ‘Haute Couture’ look by choosing lightweight silks, brocade, satins, feathers, ribbons, gauze, and pearls. This was her form of expression at the Royal Court, since she could not voice her political opinion.

In the fashion feature, “An Illusion Of Haute Couture, Inspired By Marie Antoinette” photographed beautifully by Darren Trentacosta, we highlight her over-the-top style. Her expensive and extravagant taste is seen through the lens of her baroque style. She makes a comeback that will continue to haunt us.

Foreword by Alison Hernon, Editor-In-Chief, PhotoBook Magazine.