Introduction

In this project I will be creating a character I have chosen from my book - Dorian Gray.
I have found out a lot about my character by reading the book and watching the 2009 film adaptation.

In this project I will be recreating my "Dorian Gray", I will also be researching and creating Victorian hairstyles though out this project too.

As Queen Victoria came in to reign the woman's place was to be in the home, which now a days is a very feminist joke that males like to say!
If you was married you was at home cleaning the house, preparing the meals but if you was single in your spare time you would spend it socialising.
There was no talk about sex, crime was punished severely  and they lived by strict social rules.
There was no nudity in public having changing carts all across the beach, men and woman had their own beaches too.

The upper class would spend their days in the courts, they had their money and they also had the best education.
The middle class was the biggest class of all and they all benefited from the Industrial Revolution, this class were given the jobs in the manufacturing world giving them money and stability to the home.
The lower class were effected most by immigration, they either had the labouring jobs or no jobs depending how skilled they were.
Then there was the underclass, the class who had no money, homeless and jobless, these were the "sunken people".

In the Victorian Era it was all about modesty and natural beauty, the higher class woman didnt wear too much make up. Everything was very natural toned, no heavy lipstick or eye shadows, just some powder on the face to reduce shine but give a little glow. Bold colours and heavier make up was more commonly seen in prostitutes, most cosmetics that were used were considered "the tools of the devil" by religious groups and banned them. It did of course backfire and more women wanted to wear it as it was seen as "naughty".

When the first World War started women had to change their whole lives when the men left, they were having to work in fields, factories, nursing and much more. This is what made fashion change in hair, make up and clothing.

"In their land girl britches and factory overalls, many women were literally wearing the trousers for the first time, earning an income and a new sense of independence.‘The war revolutionised the industrial position of women – it found them serfs and left them free,’ explained Mrs Millicent Fawcett, president of the National Union of Women’s Suffrage Societies."

Hair in the Victorian Era was demure, soft curls were worn to accentuate the face or more commonly the hair was pulled back in to a bun, plaits or chignon. Baby curls were around the face and forehead and it wasnt uncommon for women to oil their hair back to ensure it was a slick, smooth style. Men were into the shorter styled hair, even curls were worn, they used oil to smooth the hair and even grow beards, moustaches and side burns.

"The bound “updo” symbolized maturity, the mark of a woman who was grown-up, married, and sexually unavailable. This hairstyle coexisted with two other iconic feminine styles: the long, loose hair of the innocent young girl, and the unkempt tresses of the hypersexed prostitute, stage actress, or vaudeville singer."

 

Back in those days things were very different, make up was sub dewed, hair was cute and girly. How you looked, what you wore and how you wore it showed people what class you were in or how powerful you are.