I watched a documentary series recently called "Versailles," covering, in three installments, the history of the palace and its monarchs, Louis XIV, Louis XV, and Louis XVI.
I was really impressed with the production values for this series. They were all shot on location, with French actors portraying each of the historical figures, but most importantly... the costumes were magnifique!
Documentaries are usually on the bottom rung when it comes to funding for costuming, but not this one. I can't find any information on this production, but it seems to me that whoever the costume designer was must have raided all the best costume houses in England and France.
It's a good series, and I highly recommend it, although it's a little depressing (historically accurate depression!). Here are some screen grabs from Episode 3, with a rather pretty Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette:
(lots and lots and lots of images under the cut...)
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| This lady has the cuuuutest shoes |
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| Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette |
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| I liked the actress playing Marie Antoinette. She was quite pretty and, of course, well-dressed. |
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| A good view of the back of this wig in the foreground |
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| This is on of MA's gowns I didn't quite get, with the drapery of her skirt - I guess some sort of polonaise. The yellow gown to her right is lovely, and the one in back too |
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| Another view of the gowns from above. |
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| Great hats, colors, everything. I appreciate that the documentary accurately portrayed the large changes in fashion through the 1780s. |
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| I think she is supposed to be Adelaide - love her wig! |
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| One of my faves, and Louis looks superfly too |
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| Look at her perfect little shooooes! |
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| Ok, maybe this one is my favorite.... |
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| A very sharp riding habit seen on MA, 3rd from the left. The pink one on the right is also stunning |
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| The only chemise a la reine that appears in the film, and only for a second. It's gorgeous. It has bows. :-) |
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| This scene was great - three women laughing maniacally and observing their pretty shoes. The red ones in the background are my faves, and very similar to Pemberley |
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| I had to include this shot - a perfect little 1780s shoe with little ribbon trim - looks just like the Pemberlies, with the little heel and all. And how awesome is it that this production even got the shoes for 1780 exactly right! |
