I was admiring (with GREAT zeal) the enormous, frizzy heaps of hair that have, for the past couple of weeks, been gracing the Spring/Summer 2010 catwalks, like this particularly fine knot on model Ali Michael's head, outside of the Luella show (which was considerably less fine, but that's another story):
Model Ali Michael outside of the S/S 2010 Luella show, via The Fashion Spot
Anyway, I was in the midst of wondering how I could re-acquire one of those weird foam donuts to amplify the size of a bun (whatever happened to those things?) when I was reminded of a drop-dead-gorgeous image of the last Imperial Russian Czar's children. Maybe it was a combo of the frizzy hair and romantic bow, maybe the youthful topknot, but I'm glad I thought of it. Clothing,
jewels, carriages, palaces and all (oh, the DETAIL!) — the entire Romanov family is truly a style inspiration.
The four daughters: Olga, Tatiana, Maria and Anastasia. Image from A Lifelong Passion, by Mayalunas & Mironenko
Grand Duchess Tatiana, 1910.
Of course, I don't even need to mention the hair. It's very contemporary in a way. Like a carefree, messy rock-star do, on the head of a Romanov. What more could I ask for? Other than a good nautical stripe and a dramatic hat, and there's plenty of that to go around:
Romanov Children with Empress Alexandra, 1909.
Maria, 1908
Above four photos from The Romanov's: Love, Power & Tragedy. Ed: Bokhanov, Knodt, Oustimenko, Peregudova, and Tyutyunnik.
