Hurrah for the circus!
The circus has been the inspiration for countless fashion editorials for decades. And it’s no wonder: what a source of colourful imagery, from acrobats and animals, to bearded and beautiful ladies (sometimes both at once); from clowns to unicyclists, jugglers to juggernauts – it’s a stylist’s Shangri-La.
Here, feathers, rhinestones and greasepaint reign supreme, along with gasps of laughter and children’s wonder. Carnival stripes and tulle tutus; flaming hoops and magic tricks – all belong to this troupe of dreams.
My outfit took many months to pull together: purple ostrich plumes and a vintage rose made from baby pink feathers; a beaded, pale turquoise silk top; a pink mini-crini; silver lurex stockings and glittery red heels. I am only missing a performing pony.
Scroll down for a selection of fashion editorials gone by. Apologies: I don’t know the source of all the tearsheets, but they do all come from early 1990s fashion magazines. (Don’t forget to check out the Out-takes & Extras gallery for a few more pics.)
Click on images for larger versions.
From a US magazine, ph: Guzman, c1990s.
‘Cubist Guitar’ hat and tangerine tutu dress
Polkadots and piggies!
Napoleon in striped breeches, and vintage postcards
Flipper footwear; strongman strikes a pose
French Glamour, ph: François Halard, c1990s.
Festooned in stripes and exotic Oriental pattern upon pattern.
British Vogue, ph: Steven Meisel, c1990s. Isabella’s YSL jacket is to die for.
Another (Givenchy) jacket straight out of fantasy, and an utterly thrilling Steven Jones hat.