Closet Raiding Marie Antoinette’s Wardrobe

October 18, 2012
by clara.wicke@nac-cna.ca
Barbaraandmarie
The dedicated staff at Houston Ballet’s wardrobe dept. Thanks Barbara, Marie Claire, Amanda and Esther!
Austriancostume
Act 1-Marie’s Austrian Costume: When Marie arrives from Austria, the French can’t believe the fashion faux-pas she has going on!
Weddingdressspread
Marie is stripped of her Austrian clothes and is fitted with a wedding dress with china silk piping and crystals. The on stage transformation takes less than 1 minute. Marie says “yes” to the dress.
Claradress
What the heck, I may as well say yes too!
Ring
Now that I have gone this far I may as well try on the ring (which fits perfectly I might add!)
Panieropen
“Panier” may seem like an innocent word to describe an accessory, but in fact “Jaws” is more fitting (no pun intended). These hip-shapers were originally made of bone or straw.
Panierclosed
If you do choose to wear a panier, you wouldn’t be physically able to sit down at the NAC to watch the Houston Ballet’s production of Marie. Irony. (no pun intended again)
Firstwig
Wig worn by Melody Mennite as Marie Antoinette. This is the hairstyle Marie will wear from age 14 to her 30-something woman-hood . Glamorous!
Wigonwig2
The wedding regalia has to be crowned with a second wig on top of the wig Melody Michaels is already wearing in character. Each of the wig’s curls are tied by hand, resulting in a $1500 finished product.
Marieshead
The not-so-glamorous side of wigs – Marie Antoinette’s beheading.
Jestercoat
In case you were wondering what the men wore back then check out this court jester’s jacket (in Technicolor)

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