The Veil & High Fashion

In Ancient Civilizations the Veil was an indication of class. As early as the Greek's, Roman's, Persian's and Egyptian's veils were a necessary adornment used to identify class rank, gender, and a public 'branding' between the peasantry and the elite.  Commoner's could be punished for wearing a veil and yet, the first Egyptian Feminist to refuse the veil, inspired a revolution among other upper-class women to do the same.

In the West, the veil for us is a question: To wear or not to wear but, to the world at large it is still a matter of religion, chastity, protection and legal or ethical law.  It is probably this very paradox that has kept the veil in fashion since ancient civilization.

High fashion has always favored the juxtaposition between the taboo, moral, artistic and street.  It was such polar opposites brought together in a single garment, namely a dress, that inspired my taste as a child.  We haven't had a Barbie Bride quite as extravagant and pageant like since the '90's! 

This fashion shoot reminds me of an era gone by in which; Super Model's were tall, curvy, 'Angels' who wore Versace and joked about $10,000 a day to get out of bed.  For me this shoot reminds me of the first time I saw Linda Evangelista modeling as a Bride and Cindy Crawford in her Galliano mini-wedding dress.    

The High Fashion Fascinator was made from fiber-rich-linen paper, organza, and lace applique's.  It is pictured below with and without the veil.