Fascinator Hats

Neapolitan · 05-10-2011, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dirty

I didn't even know these existed until now. I don't think I've ever seen one in real life. After seeing pics though, I'll say they look completely retarded.

Are you talking about women or hats?

Zaqarbal · 05-11-2011, 07:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VEGANGELICA

Before Kate and William's wedding, I never knew about fascinators as a distinct type of human ornamentation. I am now INTRIGUED BY THIS PHENOMENON of people using peculiar, impractical headpieces to decorate themselves in order to catch attention and to surprise.

I predict we will be seeing more fascinators now in daily life, for better or worse, because fascinator hats have even hit Iowa!

"Intrigued"? "Phenomenon"?

With due respect, Erica, your female "fascination" about headgear (I'm talking about that within the limits of a minimum good taste) is at least three centuries late compared to that of Spanish women. I'll show you a few examples:

These are three portraits of Spanish ladies from the 19th-century, by painter Raimundo Madrazo (1841-1920):

Next, Portrait of Raquel Meller (Julio Romero de Torres, 1910) and Spanish Lady (Carl von Steuben, 1834):

Older paintings now (1810 and 1803), by Francisco de Goya:

Another one by Goya from 1810. And at the right, an even older painting (c.1642) of a Spanish lady, by Claudio Coello.

But wait, that's not all! I've got another "surprise" for you. I'll tell you later on, Vege. Stay tuned.

VEGANGELICA · 05-11-2011, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zaqarbal

"Intrigued"? "Phenomenon"?

With due respect, Erica, your female "fascination" about headgear (I'm talking about that within the limits of a minimum good taste) is at least three centuries late compared to that of Spanish women. I'll show you a few examples:

But wait, that's not all! I've got another "surprise" for you. I'll tell you later on, Vege. Stay tuned.

Good point, Zaqarbal. I am unfamiliar with the long history of people's headwear, since it only recently gained my full attention.

The woman above is stunning...even without fascinators! Her ornate earrings remind me of how fascinators are a subclass of head ornamentation that includes all sorts of adornments: jewelry, hats/veils, fancy barrettes, etc.

I suspect that the urge to decorate one's head involves pleasure at being and expressing creativity plus gaining people's attention and admiration...or just their surprise! The behavior of people decorating themselves, reflecting the mind inside, is really rather cute.

Your post made me look into the history of fascinators. So far all I've learned is what your painting examples show: fascinators originated hundreds of years ago out of lacy material that people used to decorate themselves:

Quote:

Fascinators have fascinated for 300 years

Feather headwear has a long history. European aristocrats, both men and women, began wearing plumed cavalier hats (the hats worn by the Three Musketeers) in 17th century, according to headwear history expert Beverly Chico of the Chico Group in Greenwood Village, Colo. European women in the 18th century wore their own variations of the broad-rimmed plumed hats, Chico says.

However, today’s fascinator takes its name from another hair accessory that bears little resemblance. Originally, a fascinator was a decorative covering made of lace or other delicate material for the head and shoulders, Chico says.

“It has gone in and out of fashion since the 17th century,” Chico says. “By the 19th century Victorian era, somehow its name became interchangeable with ‘cloud,’ but I am not sure why.”

I remember reading a magazine article several months ago about African lads who, without mirrors, decorate their heads in amazing, artistic ways using leaves, flowers, and pigments as paint. In my opinion, their endeavors are related to the urge to fascinate oneself and others by decorating one's head with fascinators.

I wish I could find pictures of these young men's creative head decorations! Since they lacked mirrors, they could only tell how they looked by seeing others' reactions, which served as their mirrors of the self. I imagine that hundreds of thousands of years ago, people were probably also plopping stuff on their heads to startle and appeal to family, friends, and strangers.

Urban Hat€monger ? · 05-11-2011, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VEGANGELICA

Now, our resident artist's impression of a fascinator for Simon *would* qualify as a fascinator...a headpiece headpiece, if I may be so bold. Perched upon Simon's forehead and presumably affixed by glue, that jaunty fascinator would not keep his hair dry if it rains.

Glue?

No no no

His head is so big it has it's own gravitational pull. That's what keeps it attached.

Burning Down · 05-14-2011, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Urban Hatemonger

Glue?

No no no

His head is so big it has it's own gravitational pull. That's what keeps it attached.

Zaqarbal · 06-01-2011, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VEGANGELICA

I imagine that hundreds of thousands of years ago, people were probably also plopping stuff on their heads to startle and appeal to family, friends, and strangers.

Yes. Egyptians, for instance. Personally, I can show you the case of the Ancient Iberians. I've been many times at the National Archaeological Museum and taken hundreds of photos of Iberian antiquities. Female sculptures show how ancient Iberian women wore elaborate ornaments and dresses:

Amazing, isn't it? I've also read some stuff about it. There are written sources from the time too. According to 5th-century-BC Greek travelers, Iberian women were regarded as talented and skilled dressmakers. They also wrote that there were some sort of "dress contests". Imagine: female fashion designers 25 centuries ago!! Versace? Gucci? Pierre Cardin? Armani? Calvin Klein? Meh. They're not that original, actually (besides, they're men

).

Zaqarbal · 06-01-2011, 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VEGANGELICA

Quote:

"As it turns out, a fascinator is a form of headgear that doesn't hug the natural contours of your bonce, as most hats still do, but is a sort of artistic installation attached by glue, hatpins or some other piece of milliner's artifice. (...)"
Q: When is a Royal Ascot hat not a hat? | Michael Gove - Times Online

No glue needed. There's a comb named peineta, of different shapes and sizes. Perhaps you remember it from some artistic photography or an old movie:

That's an ancient Iberian invention. Look at this statuette (I took the picture myself). It is from the Iron Age II:

Actually, many things are much older than people usually think. Even the futuristic fashion is old. Really. You thought those Star Wars' striking female hairstyles were original?

Princess Leia, "futuristic"? Nah. Just a copy. Look at these sculptures of Iberian ladies from the 5th century BC:

This headgear is part of a ceremonial folk costume from Valencia. It dates from the 18th century, and it is inspired by those of ancient Iberian women. They were so trendy!

VEGANGELICA · 06-14-2011, 04:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zaqarbal

Yes. Egyptians, for instance. Personally, I can show you the case of the Ancient Iberians. I've been many times at the National Archaeological Museum and taken hundreds of photos of Iberian antiquities. Female sculptures show how ancient Iberian women wore elaborate ornaments and dresses: . . .

Amazing, isn't it? I've also read some stuff about it. There are written sources from the time too. According to 5th-century-BC Greek travelers, Iberian women were regarded as talented and skilled dressmakers. They also wrote that there were some sort of "dress contests". Imagine: female fashion designers 25 centuries ago!! Versace? Gucci? Pierre Cardin? Armani? Calvin Klein? Meh. They're not that original, actually (besides, they're men ).

Very interesting to see the fashions of ancient Iberian women! I agree that we in the present often seem to think we're so hip and modern, forgetting that we're just on the fringe of a huge and wonderful cultural history tapestry woven by our dead relatives.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zaqarbal

No glue needed. There's a comb named peineta, of different shapes and sizes. Perhaps you remember it from some artistic photography or an old movie:

That's an ancient Iberian invention. Look at this statuette (I took the picture myself). It is from the Iron Age II:

Actually, many things are much older than people usually think. Even the futuristic fashion is old. Really. You thought those Star Wars' striking female hairstyles were original? Princess Leia, "futuristic"? Nah. Just a copy. Look at these sculptures of Iberian ladies from the 5th century BC: . . .

This headgear is part of a ceremonial folk costume from Valencia. It dates from the 18th century, and it is inspired by those of ancient Iberian women. They were so trendy!

I remember as a child thinking Princess Leia's headgear was so fascinatingly futuristic! Little did I know.

Thank you for sharing your photos and insights, Zaqarbal.

Howard the Duck · 06-14-2011, 08:55 AM

they haven't caught on here

(thanks the Lord for small mercies)

~~The Virgin~~ · 06-14-2011, 09:19 AM

i personally believe that drag queens wear better fascinator hats than anyone else on the planet:

06-14-2011, 09:19 AM	#40 (permalink)
~~The Virgin~~ Account Disabled Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Cebu, Philippines Posts: 677	i personally believe that drag queens wear better fascinator hats than anyone else on the planet: