Week 5: Star Wars. The Power of Costume Exhibition

I am so excited that Star Wars: The Force Awakens will be available on Blu-Ray tomorrow, and happy to announce that the 5th Themed Week on Pastiche today is dedicated to the Star Wars saga and everything related to it.

Today, I would like to take you to the 'Star Wars and The Power of Costume' exhibition that is currently going at the Discovery Times Square Museum in New York. The exhibition features more than 70 hand-crafted original costumes from all seven Star Wars films, and reveals the creative process behind the creation of characters and their costumes. The exhibition is absolutely amazing, and Ben and I had a great date as we are both huge Star Wars fans. 

Of course, not all of you will be able to visit the Discovery Times Square, therefore I took a lot of photographs (even some shots of few interesting facts I read at the exhibition. Share with all of your Star Wars-fans friends!

Famous and incredibly sexy Princess Leia slave costume

I guess I am slightly attracted by the Dark Side ;)

Do you remember I posted the video of Anakin's and Padme's breathtaking wedding ceremony in the 'TOP 10 Film Weddings' post? Seeing such beautiful intricate costumes from that gorgeous scene was amazing!

Padme's gorgeous dresses she wore during pregnancy.

Padme Amidala's wardrobe, hStar Wars costumes

Wookie!

This is SO Steampunk. Gorgeous! You can click on any picture and Open it in New Tab or Window to see it bigger!

Yoda best!

'Padme's funeral' room at the exhibition.

The tragic death of Padme. The scene and the look was inspired by Pre-Raphaelite's paintings

Week 4: Bridal. TOP 10 Movie Weddings

Aren't we all guilty of comparing our own lives to the ones we see on the movie screens? Especially when it comes to relationships and, of course, to ridiculously fun, romantic or just simply lavish and extravagant weddings! Although, real love is always better than the one you have to fake, we still can get inspired and take a note or two watching our favourite film characters tying the knot.

Top 10 Film Weddings

1. Gossip Girl

I still remember how impatiently I was waiting for every episode of Gossip Girl, and even though I am not a fan of re-watching TV Shows (unless it is Game of Thrones!), I sometimes have an extreme wave of nostalgia and an urge to watch this most fashionable show ever. 

Blair and Chuck, Serena and Dan and Blair (again!) and Louis. Who knew the show about school gossips, loaded mean girls and teenage romances will have so many weddings after just few seasons?

2. MAMMA MIA

Even though the wedding did not quite happen, Amanda Seyfried makes a beautiful bride. A few golden details here and there, and you too can look like a Greek Goddess!

3. TWILIGHT

I have a love/hate relationships with the Twilight saga. I think it is a very silly, poorly written and badly constructed teenage fantasy romance story, BUT I still read all the books and watched all the movies. Bella's dress in the film, made by Carolina Herrera, is very elegant and beautiful. However, my attention is devoted not to Kristen Stewart's bridal look, but to the gorgeous decor. 

4. DOWNTON ABBEY

Hands down, one of my favourite shows. If you haven't watched it, start today! The show is filled with a romance, engagements and several weddings during six seasons of the show. Here are the ones I admire the most:

5. STAR WARS: EPISODE II ATTACK OF THE CLONES

Being a big fan of Star Wars, I cannot miss a chance to include this short, but breathtakingly beautiful ceremony of Anakin and Padme. The scene was shot at the Villa del Balbianello that overlooks Lake Como in Italy. Absolutely perfect wedding spot! 

6. EMMA

Jane Austen is an author every bride-to-be should read. One of my top bridal looks from 'Austen's realm' is Emma's! The role was played by lovely Gwyneth Paltrow. You can actually see this and other wonderful wedding dresses from films at the Fashionable Romance exhibition, at the Biltmore House in North Carolina. Plan to visit before 4th of July as that is when the exhibition will end. I am certainly determined to travel to North Carolina now!

7. MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING

Ok, let's admit that this wedding dress is a little bit over the top. But if you want a good laugh before your own marriage ceremony, this is a comedy movie you should watch! Bonus? The sequel of this surprise hit movie is now in cinemas! 

8. REIGN

Adelaide Kane, who plays Mary Queen of Scots, in this absolutely NOT historically accurate TV show, is one of the most naturally gorgeous people I have ever set my eyes on. Seeing her in the wedding dress made my heart literally skip a beat. But brides can get inspired not only by that wedding episode. The whole show is filled with gowns to-die-for, thanks to Meredith Markworth-Pollack - the wonderful costume designer (who also follows me on Instagram! Yes!)

9. BRIDE WARS

A female oriented comedy focusing on two beautiful brides - Anne Hathaway and Kate Hudson.

10. LA REINE MARGOT

La Reine Margot is not a film for for the faint-hearted, and certainly not a pre-bridal movie to watch. Have you heard of St. Bartholomew's Day massacre? It took place five days after Margaret's de Valois (yes, Francis' sister, if you learn about history only from shows like Reign) wedding to the protestant Henry III of Navarre. It is believed that marriage was planned by Catherine de Medici (yes, Francis's mother) to gather the most wealthy Protestants in catholic Paris, in order to brutally kill them all. And we thought the 'Red Wedding' was bloody!

Well, at least the Queen Margot played by Isabelle Adjani looked stunning in her red wedding gown. Can I have that headpiece, please?

Week 3: Cleopatra. Iconic Makeup

The last post of the extended Cleopatra Week is, of course, dedicated to her beauty look. You can dress up in the most luxurious Greek-style dress, wear heavy gold jewellery and even buy the black wig with bangs, but even then you won't pass as Cleopatra if you do not wear her iconic makeup!

Cleopatra's Makeup is as legendary as her story. Of course the most iconic feature in her look is the eye makeup with a gorgeous Egyptian cateye. You can go heavy and bold for the Halloween or a costume party look, or just add an extra dark winged eyeliner if you are going for something more subtle.

I am also a big cat-eye lover and always apply my black eyeliner whenever I want to look my best.  Just a little "Cleopatra detail" makes me feel 10x prettier.

I have selected the best YouTube tutorials on how to apply Cleopatra's Makeup for you. Share your Cleopatra Looks with me via email or tag me on Twitter or Instagram: @uliaali 

Bonus: Check my Pinterest Board for more Cleopatra inspiration:

Follow Ulia's board Cleopatra on Pinterest.

Week 3: Cleopatra. Books

You already know my love for literature, and that every week I post relevant to the chosen theme books. Today I wanted to give you a list of the best publications about Cleopatra, both fictional and history books. Let's start with the classics!

The Classics

1. 'Antony and Cleopatra' is a beautiful tragedy written by W. Shakespeare. It follows the romantic relationships between Cleopatra and Mark Antony up until their tragic deaths. The Shakespeare's play is an origin of belief that Cleopatra was bitten on her bare breast by an asp, even though classic sources say that the poison spread to her body from the bite on the arm. Regardless of the historical fact, the Shakespeare's vision of Cleopatra's death was quickly popularised by the artists and filmmakers.

2. 'Caesar and Cleopatra' is a play written by another famous playwright, George Bernard Shaw (you probably know him for the 'Pygmalion' play that was made into the film 'My Fair Lady'). However, this play is nowhere romantic and Shaw wrote it to prove that Cleopatra was not in love with Julius Caesar, but used him for political purposes. In his work the Roman occupation of ancient Egypt is a some sort of a symbol of the British occupation during his time.

Other Fiction Novels You Will Love

TOP PICK: Lets start with 'The Memoirs of Cleopatra' by Margaret George.

Best fiction about Cleopatra

It is extremely fascinating read and I enjoyed reading it very much, imagining it was indeed Cleopatra's diary. The richly detailed saga tells us the story of the Egyptian queen in her own voice. I was highly immersed into Cleopatra's world, and even though the Margaret George's work is indeed very long (my edition came in two thick books), at the end I felt I had undergone an exciting journey with the Egyptian Queen, from her younger years till the last breath. The research Margaret did for the book is phenomenal, and I can guarantee that it is one of the best fictional novels about Cleopatra written to these days.

2. 'Antony and Cleopatra' by Colleen McCullough. 
I absolutely love how Colleen McCullough writes. Her knowledge of Roman history is very detailed and extensive, and all characters come alive when you read it. Antony and Cleopatra is a timeless tale of passion, politics and power.

3. 'When We Were Gods: A Novel of Cleopatra' by Colin Falconer.

Just For Fun: 

There are also bunch of very emm.. peculiar books about Cleopatra, where she... gets kicked out from Hell by Satan to our modern world, fights or make love with Egyptian Gods(!), vampires(!!), werewolves(!!!) and, of course, there is a bunch of soapy erotic stories featuring our favourite Egyptian Queen. 

The 'Cleopatra's Return' by Eve Langlais seems to be one of the brightest examples of such books as it contains almost all the above mentioned elements.

History and Coffee Table Books

Week 3: Cleopatra. The Egyptian Queen's Fashion Legacy

I apologize for being absent for few days, but I had a very good reason for that. Ben and I were in Los Angeles and then drove to his hometown, Santa Barbara, where on 21st of March WE GOT MARRIED! Our secret ceremony was beautiful and I cannot wait to show you all the photographs and share our story. Also I am already starting to plan our Big Wedding that will take place next summer.

As the last week got a little bit interrupted, I wanted to continue The Cleopatra Week. I still have interesting posts to share with you!

The image of Cleopatra has not only been exciting minds of artists, writers and filmmakers. The Egyptian Queen has an incredibly recognisable fashion legacy. Designers and women all over the world draw an inspiration from the legendary female pharaoh. Today, I decided to share the best of Cleopatra inspired looks with you, with some bonuses including Top 10 Cleopatra Halloween Looks and my Cleopatra party look.

TOP 20 Cleopatra Inspired Celebrity Looks

20. Sofia Vergara 19. Hayden Panettiere 18. Nicole Kidman 17. Beyonce 16. Olivia Palermo 15. Irina Shayk

14.Carrie Underwood 13.Laura Dern 12. Rose Byrne 11. Naomi Watts 10.Shriya Saran

9. Kim Kardashian 8. Jennifer Lopez 7. Kylie Jenner 6. Nicole Scherzinger 5. Katy Perry

4. Taylor Swift 3. Nicki Minaj 2.Giuliana Rancic 1. Bar Rafaeli

TOP 10 Halloween & Photoshoot Cleopatra Looks

It was hard to choose the best Cleopatra looks as so many celebrities channeled their inner Egyptian Queen in the music videos, the photoshoots and at the Halloween parties. But it is not a surprise that the winner of the best Cleopatra Halloween Look goes to Heidi Klum, who is famous for her amazingly detailed, unique Halloween costumes.

10. Rihana 9. Nicki Minaj 8. Marylin Monroe 7. Kim Kardashian

6. Anne Hathaway 5. Petra Nemcova 4. Angelina Jolie 3. Kristin Kreuk 2. Katy Perry 1. Heidi Klum

My Party Look:

The McKitrick Hotel from time to time hosts amazing SuperCinema dress up parties. Last month it was a Romeo+Juliet Film themed party, and one of the characters you could "play" was Cleopatra, and my husband (so strange to call him like that! :)) picked her role for me. I have already shared my Cleopatra Look in one of the previous posts, but for the party I had more costumey head-piece and more dramatic make up.

Here are some photos:

I hope you enjoyed this post and do not forget to check our Cleopatra Themed Shop that I am updating regularly!