'Romeo&Juliet' reCreate: the final looks.

A Thread.

The Capulet – Juliet:

The Capulets are a well-bred family from the heart of the South in the great state of Virginia. Known for their innovative style with ornate details exhibited by the layers of billowing cotton and intricate addition such as ruffles and bell sleeves. Much of their design shown off-the-shoulder neckline allowing cooler fashion for the Southern bell. Adorning accessories from wristlets and gloves to elaborate headpieces, the Capulets fashion is the epitome of elegance. Juliet always attracts her man with this enticing contemporary style that even Northerners can’t resist. The Southern men style perfectly balance with their female counterparts with waistcoats, breeches, and a formal hat.

- details

The Montague – Romeo:

On the other hand, The Montagues show Northern sophistication with the woolen suit, double-breasted coats and sporty bowties. These Yankees wouldn’t be caught without a monocle hanging from an opulent gold chain and a well-design top hat, the taller the better. The Montagues women donned brocade or paisley shawl which are voluminous and partially cover their silk skirt. With lush fabric enshrouding these women, no men are suffering from their striking beauty.

The North and South command their fashion separately but there’s no question that their attractions will cross the geographic boundary.

intro: the historical context.

We start an exciting new project for March: designing costumes for William Shakespeare's famous tragedy: Romeo and Juliet, but will change the historical context to a different time.

Romeo and Juliet (film, 1996)

I chose the period of the American Civil War, which erupted from long-term tensions and disagreements over life and politics over a century. People and politicians of the northern and southern states clashed with each other over the issues that ultimately led to the war: economic benefits, cultural values, power of the federal government, and especially slavery in American society.

Some conflicts and differences in culture, politics, and lifestyle can be resolved peacefully through diplomacy, but slavery is the big issue that not among them. And the deep conflict between the two families will take place from here. The Romeo family belongs to the Union, and the Juliet family belongs to the confederate. The Union is located in the North - where the states have all abolished slavery - they demand and support the deprivation of slavery. A big reason for that is because the economy in the North has improved and developed, relying more on industry than on agriculture. Poor refugees can now work in factories with low wages, thus reducing the need to use slaves. Meanwhile, the southern economy was mostly dependent on agriculture due to favorable soil and weather conditions, so they needed slaves to work in white-owned plantations.