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Marie Antoinette’s luxurious style helped make her even less popular with the rebellious French masses
The first British exhibition dedicated to the life of Marie Antoinette, Queen of France, is set to open in London’s V&A South Kensington.
Opening in September, the Marie Antoinette style features 250 objects, including clothing and decorative art, and is available for rent from Chateau de Versailles, France.
The Archbishop of Austria, who turned France’s last queen, “had a major influence on European taste and fashion in her own time,” said Sarah Grant, the exhibition curator.
“She was the most fashionable, scrutinized and controversial queen in history.”
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Marie Antoinette was the last queen of France before the country’s revolution
The exhibition features a richly decorated coat dress, Queen’s silk slippers and jewels from her private collection.
There are also some items that I have never left France before, including Queen’s dinner service from Petit Trian, her accessories, and toilet case items.
“This exhibition uses a set of exquisite objects belonging to Marie Antoinette, exploring their style and appearance using the most beautiful and wonderful ornamental objects heritage has inspired,” Grant said.
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Antoinette’s fashion choices influenced the taste of the European elite at the time, Grant says
“This is a legacy of early modern celebrity design, a story about a woman whose captivating power never fades. The story of Marie Antoinette was redistributed and reused in each generation of each generation.”
“The rare combination of charm, sight and tragedy she presents is as intoxicating today as it was in the 18th century.”
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The exhibition examines the life and fashion of one of France’s most controversial royals
Marie Antoinette’s style looks at the origins of Antoinette and its impact on style from her time to the present through audiovisual installation and “immersive” curation.
The scent experience recreates the smell of courtrooms and the perfume she likes.
The exhibition will also feature contemporary clothing, including works by designers such as Moschino, Dior, Chanel, Erdem, Vivienne Westwood and Valentino, as well as Sofia Coppola’s Oscar-winning Kirsten Dunst costume.
