Fall 2015 Prêt-à-Porter: SideShow
A sideshow is an extra, secondary production associated with a circus. We, at Mimi Berlin, are big fans of these acts. In fact we tributed a complete series of Statuettes to the genre, which was very popular in the beginning of the 19th century. Acts such as for instance the Sutherland Sisters and the Hilton Sisters didn’t necessarily have a world shocking skill, no, their main asset was the out-of-the-ordinary appearance they were born with. People just liked looking at them for entertainment. Maybe the same goes for fashion shows nowadays.
The Givenchy Fall/Winter 2015 show was obviously inspired by the sideshow and it’s stars; the setting had the poor man’s atmosphere; with all different ‘shabby” wooden stools and chairs, with colorful plateau’s for the models to take a moment in the spotlight, just like in the circus. Not so shabby were the clothes; beautifully embellished styles were inspired by the circus in the twenties as well; velvet, bias cut, stripes, corsets, ruffles and marabou feathered capes, you name it. A total abundance of real glamour. But Make-up and hair were the most obvious “vaudeville/sideshow/circus” styling devices; Lots of fabulous piercings, which also created optical moustaches and tears. More than one set of earrings in one ear, hair in slick twenties style also with a “moustache” fringe. to cut it short; over the top top top!
Also the collection by the house of Alexander McQueen was inspired by the sideshow stars. Less glamorous were the Ladies with updo’s and painted lips. Like the original sideshow acts, they were made to look a bit rundown, twenties vaudeville style, but wearing stunningly “frumpled” lace dresses…
At Maison Margiela, designed by John Galliano, the models (not all but some, like we picked out from the style.com runway looks) actually were the sideshow, we like the fact that Mr Galliano shows us that a sideshow still exists. (all images via style.com)
Girls with tattoos in the early 20th century. Danke Schön Mme Reinders. xoxo Mimi
The Hilton Sisters, Daisy and Violet: Sideshow Stars
(image via lifeexperiencemash-upl)
The Hilton Sisters were among the only sideshow stars to break out of the circus tent and make it to mainstream Hollywood. Continue reading
The Seven Sutherland Sisters, not only a 20th century circus act….
In 1882 the Barnum and Bailey Circus signed a new act for the sideshow. It was called the Seven Sutherland Sisters. The girls — Sarah, Victoria, Isabella, Grace, Naomi, Mary, and Dora — who ranged in age from 18 to 36, would file on stage in white gowns, their dark hair glimmering in the gas lights, and sing a selection of songs. The remarkable bass voice of Naomi was prominent in their rich harmony. Continue reading
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MIMI BERLIN PORTFOLIO: SPECIALS
The sad story of La Jeune Marletta, Ice Skater (Born a nameless orphan, Chicago, USA. 19??/1915 )
©Mimi Berlin, La Jeune Marletta, Ice Skater. 2013. 1920s glass, 1970s ceramic and plastic, water. 6.5 x 11 cm.
La Marletta was adopted by Bernhard Salchow (Father of Ulrich Salchow, the inventor of the jump bearing his name (1)) He adopted the little child after immigrating to the United States from Sweden leaving his family behind in 1910. Continue reading
