Kirsty Mitchell

As well as make up artist and designers, photographers can also take their inspiration from the Elizabethan Era. In particular I found this with photographer Kirsty Mitchell. I’ve come across her work before during my study of Fantasy at A Level and I thought the effort that went into her work was exquisite. Every last detail of each image is beautiful but I only now realised how much the Elizabethan Era has influenced her work.

The photos come from a collection called Wonderland, which was inspired by her mother who used to read wonderful story books to her students. It became a tribute to her mothers life. Teamed up with hair and make up artist Elbie Van Eeden they created these gorgeous photos. Kirsty previously was a fashion designer so created the costumes and props herself, and linked her training in art history with her looks.

Elizabethan qualities are evident in the fashion of this photo. The dress is synched at the waist and then flows outwards, a look the wealthy favoured in the Elizabethan times. The crown could be seen as a link to Queen Elizabeth herself, and the pose suggests power. Although her hair isn't clear, we can see that some sort of padding would of been used to create to volume. The Make up also isn't clear however you get hints of Elizabethan through the pale complexion and darker lips. 

This is closer look at the hair and Make up and we can instantly start to link similarities with the era. The Crown and things she is holding suggest royalty. Although I am immediately drawn to her hair, I like how they have powdered over the red hair to make it even paler to match her complexion. You almost don't recognise her features due to how white everything is. Her eyebrows and lashes have been painted white, which was popular in Elizabethan times, although some would even pluck their brows out. I think although it is a simple connection it works very well and I love the frosty feel I get from the whole look. 

Once again the pale complexion and blacked out eyebrows is what instantly reminds me of the Elizabethan Era. I also feel that the hair has elizabethan qualities, by incorporating plaits and buns, which were popular in those times.

The connection is similar across these three images, with the contrasting of the bright red lip to the pale face. Both eyelashes and eyebrows are white which makes them barely noticeable. The first of the three holds a few more similarities, such as the rouged cheek and the red hair, both that were part of the craze in the Elizabethan Era. 

Reference:

Kirsy Mitchell. (). Personal Statement . Available: http://kirstymitchellphotography.com/about-the-artist/artist-statement/. Last accessed 5/12/14.