The Dollar Princess of The Gilded Age and Downton Abbey

Who were the Dollar Princess of the Gilded Age? They were young rich American girls that had been rejected by the old-money society families and that eventually sought status elsewhere by traveling abroad and marrying British aristocrats men.

At that time in Britain such marriage arrangements were well received. The reason being was because many of these dukes and earls were at that time struggling with debt and their castles had also become badly deteriorated. These men were also looking for a solution to their problems. By marrying a multi-million Dollar Princess they too had it made!

Jennie Jerome 

Jennie Jerome was one well known Dollar Princess. Like many in her shoes, instead of trying to break the code into the New York elite club she along with her mother and sister traveled to Europe in search for a title. When she married Lord Randolph Churchill, she became London's it girl.  And eventually she became mother of Britain Prime Minister Winston Churchill.

These Dollar Princess stories became an inspiration for the T.V. series Downton Abbey. Lord Grantham married the rich American Heiress Cora Crawley, who then became Countess of Grantham.

Consuelo Vanderbilt

Consuelo Vanderbilt at the age of 19 was encouraged by her mother Alva to marry Charles Spencer-Churchill, 9th Duke of Marlborough. But Consuelo was not interested in the duke. She had her heart set on Winthrop Rutherfurd an American whom she had been secretly engaged to.

When her mother had heard that she was going to elope, she locked her daughter in her room and threatened to kill her beau. This stubborn young lady still refused to marry the duke.

It wasn't until her mom's alleged illness and supposedly to the point of dying, which she blamed her daughter for, was when Consuelo acquiesced and went ahead and married the duke.

It was a sad wedding day for Consuelo. At the altar she wept behind her veil. The duke himself also had to give up the woman that he loved.

It's crazy how far some families were willing to go just to get a status.


The Following video is from CBS Sunday Morning Show: The American heiresses who inspired "Downton Abbey."





For more information and interesting videos about The Dollar Princess visit: http://www.smithsonianchannel.com


Research: CBS Sunday Morning, Smithsonian Channel, and Wikipedia.

Parisian Fashion at The Longchamp Racecourse

All eyes were always on Paris the fashion capital of the world. And what best way for designers to show their latest creations than at the Longchamp Racecourse, in Paris France!

Designers from different countries would sent models that would sport their latest designs. And many times the designers would even use store mannequins for their display. Back then fashion designers would use women of varying sizes to demonstrate variety in their designs. There were no such thing as measurement requirements. Wasn't that fantastic!

Vogue, June 1, 1914 / Longchamp Racecourse

The following photos are taken at the Longchamp Racecourse from 1910-1920. By then women clothes had still some Victorian elements in their design, but the less constrained Edwardian style was readily embraced by women everywhere.

I wondered how much these girls were paid to wear these fantastic clothes. I know that some celebrities now are paid hefty to wear a gown like to the Oscars. Some even around half a million of dollars. Good grief!!!

Times have really changed, well a little.

Source for all these amazing photos are provided by: Gallica Bibliothèque Numérique, and On Pins and Needles . Research information Wikipedia.

A Glimpse in History: The Bicycle

One of Leonardo Da Vinci's students in the 1490's made rough drafts of a bicycle. They were found among Da Vinci's writings for the Italian government in 1966 by a group of monks. What is realized with these findings is that in the 1490's all the parts of a bicycle were available to inventors and the public. Inventors were thinking about how to use the parts as well, but didn't think about putting them together. Interesting, is it not? The term bicycle was coined in France in the 1860s.

In 1870 James Starley made a bicycle with a large front wheel and a small back wheel. It was called the "penny-farthing" bicycle. The gear made the wheel turn two times per each revolution of the pedals. The front wheel was as high as the rider's leg length.

The problem with the penny-farthing (high bicycle) was that it was very dangerous because if the rider were to stop the rider could fall backwards. Also it was dangerous going down a hill. There was a lever that was operated by a spoon brake which could cause a fall and a special gear that made the wheel turn twice for each revolution. Oops!

The Penny-Farthing

The first bicycle with a chain was made in 1874 by H.J. Lawson. The bicycle was made up of two wheels the same size driven by a chain on the back wheel. It was called the safety bicycle.

In 1893 the Wright Brothers decided to open up a bicycle shop. They sold bicycles and fixed old ones. When they decided to make the airplane, they used most of their knowledge from their bicycle career.
From 1900 through the 1950's there wasn't much enhancement on the bicycle because of the invention of the car. Bikes looked the same for almost 50 years with thick rubber tires, one gear, and metal frames.

10 Reasons to Ride a Bike:

1-Environmentally Friendly

2-Saves Gas

3-Saves Money

4-Good for Physical, Mental and Emotional Health

5-Convenient and Practical

6-Less Congested Roads

7-Quieter City

8-Opportunity to Enjoy the Environment

9-Greater Human interaction

10-Fun and Exhilarating

Bike Safe!




Photos: Indiegogo.com and Gallery.nen.gov.uk
Information:library.thinkquest.org

Edwardian Fashionable Hats

These beautiful Edwardian pictures were taken in 1911, a year before the Titanic. By that time hats were at their largest, often with the brim extending beyond the breadth of the wearer’s shoulders. Because these elaborate hats were so big the ladies had to use large hatpins to properly secure them to the head. Some people complain that these hats were too big and obtrusive especially in the theater or picture shows. Still high society women loved them and wore them for daytime events.

Also as you can see these Edwardian hats were decorated with feathers, laces, ribbons, flowers, tulle, bows. Coco Chanel used to call these hats "birds nests". I won't be surprised that many birds thought so as well!

Step back and enjoy!

Photo Credits: Klimbin from Dresscode Diary. Photos Dated: 1911. Research: Vintagedancer.Com & Vintagefashionguild.Org.

Louis Vuitton Fall / Winter Victorian & Edwardian Fashion Show

The Louis Vuitton Fall / Winter 2012 was absolutely magnificent! This fashion show is definitively one of my favorites ever! I have always been fascinated with Victorian and Edwardian style.

This collection brings the Edwardian fashion to a different level. The designer kept into consideration the colors that were used back then, like for instance the blacks, browns, taupe's, blues, grays. But he added as well a beautiful selection of falls colors, reds, oranges, yellows, which made the collection very rich and vibrant!

Weren't those hats and bags amazing! Especially the long furs and animal prints ones. I might add that those accessories were very whimsical. Those large shiny brooches, and the glass on the fabrics also gave the collection that element of surprise.

A Louis Vuitton show can't be complete without their signature bags. I know that those fashion show guests were eyeing those bags way before the train arrived. On the other hand though I have a feeling that I won't be seeing those funky hats in downtown anytime soon, perhaps though if the girl was into Steampunk.

Enjoy the show!