Fashion and Passion at the Sun King's Versailles
Learn how Louis XIV used fashion not only to consolidate France’s power but to jumpstart a whole new French economy—and how, despite the Revolution, WWI, and so on, the luxury industries he founded have remained central to the French economy and French identity ever since.
Cost: $12. Please note that this fee helps keep our small business going during the crisis so we can get up and running right away when it is safe to bring people together again in person.
Who inspired Fashion Week? - Louis XIV
Who invented the cat walk—in Versailles? - Louis XIV
Who invented the fashion magazine? - Louis XIV
Why are you dying to buy the newest Vuitton, Hermès or Dior bag? - Because of Louis XIV
Why did Marilyn Monroe put *French* perfume on her naked body? - Because of Louis XIV
Why was Carrie Bradshaw so excited when she saw Louboutin shoes? - Because of Louis XIV
And why is the Netflix series Emily in Paris so successful around the world ? - Yes . . . Because of Louis XIV!
Learn about the court where fashion became fashion on the Fashion and Passion tour of the Sun King’s Versailles! Learn about the first great ‘artketing’ campaign and the birth of haute couture, with the first fashion magazine, the first name designers, and the birth of seasonal fashions. And see how Louis XIV used fashion not only to consolidate France’s power but to jumpstart a whole new French economy—and how, despite the Revolution, WWI, and so on, the luxury industries he founded have remained central to the French economy and French identity ever since.
ABOUT OUR SPEAKER
Andrew Lear is a retired professor of ancient Greek—and a world expert on same-sex love in ancient Greek culture and art. He is the founder of Oscar Wilde Tours, the world's first and only LGBTQ history and art tour company, and Shady Ladies Tours, the women's history and art tour company. He is also working with author/actor Stephen Fry to develop TV programming on LGBTQ history and culture.