Project Brief and Elizabethan Hair

Red Heads and Royalty





The ‘Redheads and Royalty’ brief focuses upon collating historical research and technical observations of the hairstyles used in the Elizabethan era. You may begin by considering the hairstyles you have identified in paintings from the Elizabethan era, but also consider that they various hairstyles and hair colours used by Elizabethan women with references to their age, class and status.

You are required to create a variety of historically accurate Elizabethan hairstyles in class, you are also going to create a more contemporary version using clear references to a style of Elizabethan hair you are inspired by. Develop the project by referencing contemporary versions of Elizabethan hairstyles – do this by looking through newspapers, magazines and websites. Gather visual evidence that references Elizabethan hair and begin to consider how you may adapt it to a contemporary style.

Elizabethan Hairstyles

http://www.glogster.com/vittran/elizabethan-era-hairstyles/g-6ljkgn5iq329qf93mo19ra0

Elizabethan hairstyles were mostly big, extravagant looks. They were mostly made out of techniques such as curling, frizzing, crimping as well as using hair pieces and padding to achieve them. The major style icon of the time was called Elizabeth I. She eventually lost all of her hair due to lead poison so turned to using wigs which could be styled even more extravagantly.  They really liked to accessorize and use different things depending on class and social status.

Caul: Is an Elizabethan hair net which could be a full covered piece of material or netting customized with pearls or other jewels.   

Atifet: This was a type of french hood, favored by Mary queen of Scots. Normally finished with lace trimming and pearls. 

French Hood: This is a headband which may have had a veil attached to the back of it. Adorned with pearls and glass beads.

The Pillbox hat: rounded type of hat, may have had a veil attached and decorated to match clothes. 

Coif: Often wore by the lower class Elizabethans but could be customized with jewels and adornments. 

http://designsfromtime.deviantart.com/art/Elizabethan-Costume-Atifet-Heart-Shaped-Headdress-452243033

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/139400550938693717/

http://www.elizabethan-era.org.uk/elizabethan-hats-women.htm

http://www.thetudorswiki.com/page/The+Tudors+Costumes+%3A+Women's+Dress

http://www.theknightshop.co.uk/catalog/renaissance-ladies-renaissance-clothing-c-470_477_622.html

http://www.verymerryseamstress.com/hats.htm