Both these women were/are very powerful and influential in different ways. Queen Elizabeth ruled a very rich and powerful country, whereas Beyonce has the power to influence her fans' behaviour and expectations of life. Beyonce and Queen Elizabeth both showed that they were independent women. Queen Elizabeth refused to get married as she wanted to run the country alone, without a man to her side. Beyonce, on the other hand, is constantly pushing womens' independence through her performances, for example her single 'Run the World' is all about how women should get the chance to run the world (video clip above). They were both idolised by their fans. They influenced fashion in their eras, for example Queen Elizabeth was thought of as beautiful, so whatever she did to the colour of her skin or whatever she wore was instantly replicated by the Elizabethan women. It is the same with Beyonce, just not quite to the same extent; if Beyonce is seem wearing a certain brand of clothing or a new hairstyle then her fans will want what she's got. There are many magazines showing people how to 'Get the Look' of celebrities, Beyonce being a regular on these pages. They were both very wealthy women, with Beyonce having an estimated net worth of $536 million, and they both live in luxury. Both Beyonce and Elizabeth I had a big entourage that looked after them, gave them advice and helped with their public image. Queen Elizabeth's entourage would have supported her at court and Beyonce's would support her for any public appearances or performances that she may have. Both Beyonce and Queen Elizabeth I were both very careful about their public image; Queen Elizabeth I would not let any portraits be released of her until she has seen them and said that they were acceptable because as she got older she still wanted the country to see her as the beautiful virgin Queen. Beyonce is also very aware of the importance of her public image, making sure that she is never photographed or seen smoking, taking drugs or drinking alcohol and she is very careful with the amount of photographs seen of her child. They both knew that their public image could make or break them.
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| Beyonce's Mrs Carter Tour Advert http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/02/04/article- 2273116-1755B4B4000005DC-749_306x451.jpg |
This image of Beyonce screams Elizabethan at me. This is a still from Beyonce's Mrs Carter tour advert and it exudes wealth and power through the setting, music choice and styling. This still is very similar to the Rainbow Portrait of Queen Elizabeth I and it is clear that both images have been carefully constricted with the image that they want to portray to their audience. At the beginning of the advert there are people dressing Beyonce, tightening her corset and adorning her with jewels, just as they would have done in the Elizabethan era. The advert is set in a luxurious and royal looking palace, with gold furnishings, expensive paintings and diamond chandeliers and there is even an Elizabethan looking portrait of Beyonce on the wall.
Beyonce's outfit is very Elizabethan with the colours, shapes and jewels. Beyonce's high collar, with lace and jewels, is very similar to the styling of Elizabeth I in the Rainbow Portrait. Beyonce's waist has been tightened and accentuated which was a very popular look by the Elizabethan women. Her whole outfit is encrusted with jewels and pearls which were both worn by Elizabeth I to represent her high wealth and nobility. Beyonce and Elizabeth I, in the Rainbow Portrait, have both got long flowing sleeves and what look like cloaks. The gold and deep blue colours in Beyonce's outfit were both colours that Queen Elizabeth would wear to show off her wealth, royalty and nobility. Beyonce has added a modern twist to her outfit, using a frame to suggest the shape of the big skirts that the Elizabeth women used to wear. Beyonce is wearing very expensive looking jewellery, with jewels and pearls, which Elizabeth I also wore in her Rainbow Portrait.
Her makeup was a lot stronger looking in this advert than the women would have worn in the Elizabethan times, with the dark eyebrows and dark eyes. However Beyonce wears a bright pink blush and no noticeable contouring, which is similar to the rosy blush the Elizabethan women would have worn. Beyonce is also wearing a red lip which resembles the softer looking red/pink lip that Elizabeth I wore. Beyonce is looking into the camera lens, just as Queen Elizabeth would look at the viewer in her portraits, which I think shows their confidence and that they want to engage with their audience. Beyonce's skin is not looking as tanned as it sometimes does, which I think reflects the pale/white complexion that the Elizabethan women were after. Beyonce's hair is very similar to how Queen Elizabeth's was styled in her Rainbow Portrait. Both their hair has texture to it and I think they have both been crimped to create the frizzy effect and the body in both hair styles. They both look like they have used padding to give them the body and height and they have both got a rounded shape. However Beyonce's is a modernised version, with it being a bit looser and falling to one side. They have both got tendrils falling down to their shoulders; however Beyonce's are smaller and look more messy and random, whereas Elizabeth I's is a lot more controlled and only the hair from the back in down. They are both wearing jewel encrusted crowns on their heads to symbolise royalty and wealth.
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