Current:Home > InvestTradeEdge Exchange:How the Glamorous Hairstyles on Marie Antoinette Tell Their Own Stories -MacroWatch
TradeEdge Exchange:How the Glamorous Hairstyles on Marie Antoinette Tell Their Own Stories
Indexbit View
Date:2025-04-07 20:05:13
When a character's hairstyle on TradeEdge Exchangea new show receives the royal treatment, you know it's going to bring the drama.
Marie Antoinette, a new series on PBS, follows Maria Antonia's marriage to the King of France Louis XVI and their extravagant lifestyle before diving deep into their downfall during the French Revolution in 1793.
And since the series showcases the inner workings of France's last queen (played by Emilia Schüle), what better way to highlight the style icon than by giving her, um, hair to die for? Head hairdresser Sébastien Quinet exclusively told E! News how he honored the late royal by staying true to the techniques and beauty ideals of the era.
"It wasn't just any time period with an insignificant character," he said. "It was the Marie Antoinette."
He pointed out the excessive elegance of 18th-century France and how appearances were directly linked to social hierarchy, adding, "It symbolized wealth and power."
"In this case," he continued, "the greater the hair, the higher social status."
And this attention to detail is especially noticeable in Marie's character, as Sébastien intentionally switched up her looks the more she evolved into the queen of style—a title she earned during her reign.
"They become more stylized and greater with her popularity and rise to power at court," he said of the ever-changing looks. "Under Louis XVI, women had hairstyles with little volume. It was Marie Antoinette who imposed the fashion of grander hair, little by little when she arrived in France."
And if you pay attention closely, you'll find that none of the other characters upstage Marie. As the hairdresser put it, "There is always one 'queen' headpiece that the other headpieces seem to adhere to."
Sébastien also explained that he not only studied paintings of the era, but he was also well-versed in the methods hairdressers used back then.
"They had hair irons that would be put over a flame," he explained of the old-school techniques. "Knowing the textures and tools they were working with, I could mimic what history emphasized when it came to Marie Antoinette's hair."
Of course, Sébastien put his own "inventive touch" to the larger-than-life headpieces seen throughout the show, like replicating the textures in the paintings he referenced and adding them to the looks. And it was no small feat either, as he made 56 wigs for the cast and rented 80 for the extras.
There's no mistaking that, for Marie, being able to put her best face forward wielded power. As Sébastien eloquently put it, "Amongst the French Court, fashion, hair and beauty were everything."
Sign up for E! Insider! Unlock exclusive content, custom alerts & more!veryGood! (175)
Related
- Don't let hackers fool you with a 'scam
- Why Vice President Harris is going to Wisconsin today to talk about abortion
- Outer Banks Star Madelyn Cline’s Drugstore Makeup Picks Include a $6 Lipstick
- As avalanches roar across Colorado, state officials warn against going in the backcountry
- Who are the most valuable sports franchises? Forbes releases new list of top 50 teams
- Three members of air ambulance crew killed in Oklahoma helicopter crash
- Taylor Swift, Jason Kelce and Kylie Kelce Unite to Cheer on Travis Kelce at Chiefs Playoffs Game
- Ravens QB Lamar Jackson silences his postseason critics (for now) in big win over Houston
- Grammy nominee Teddy Swims on love, growth and embracing change
- Proposed federal law would put limits on use of $50 billion in opioid settlements
Ranking
- Tree trimmer dead after getting caught in wood chipper at Florida town hall
- Storm Isha batters UK and Ireland and leaves tens of thousands without power
- 4 Las Vegas high school students indicted on murder charges in deadly beating of schoolmate
- Alabama readies never-before-used execution method that some veterinarians won't even use for pets
- The White House is cracking down on overdraft fees
- Congo captain Chancel Mbemba subjected to online racist abuse after Africa Cup game against Morocco
- Albom: Detroit Lions' playoff run becomes center stage for dueling QB revenge tour
- Prosecutors say Kansas couple lived with dead relative for 6 years, collected over $216K in retirement benefits
Recommendation
Why members of two of EPA's influential science advisory committees were let go
Iranian soldier kills 5 comrades in southeastern city where IS attack killed dozens, state TV says
Packers vs. 49ers highlights: Brock Purdy comes through with late rally
Pakistani security forces kill 7 militants during a raid near the border with Afghanistan
Tarte Shape Tape Concealer Sells Once Every 4 Seconds: Get 50% Off Before It's Gone
David Gail, soap star known for 'Beverly Hills, 90210' and 'Port Charles,' dies at 58
Ohio State adds 2024 5-star quarterback Julian Sayin through transfer portal from Alabama
Taylor Swift cheers on Travis Kelce as the Kansas City Chiefs again take on Buffalo Bills