I have been wanting to these type of posts for a while. Basically it’s just fashions, mostly gowns, that look similar to an Esmeralda costume in someway.
Renato Balestra, Spring 2014
This gown by Renato Balestra from spring 2014, is akin to Disney Esmeralda’s costume in terms of its color story and verticality. I also like that it has a sari-like way about kind adding to appeal.
Follow thehunchblogDisclaimer: I know very little to nothing about Medieval Fashion and even less about the Romani people. Also this post only focuses on Esmeralda and Fleur de Lys’ costumes.
Michelle Newell as Esmeralda The Hunchback of Notre Dame 1977
On first glance Esmeralda’s costume in this version sucks. It looks like something a Juliet would wear. It’s a pink overdress with a high waistline with a dark red and gold embroidered bodice. It’s layered over a chemise with bell sleeves and embroidered armbands. She wears bangles on both wrists and has pink ribbons in her hair. It also seems like she has another gold over layer around the bodice that has some streamer-like detail going done the skirt What is this costume?
Michelle Newell as Esmeralda
Well this could be one the worst contextually Esmeralda costumes or it could be one of the most accurate. Isn’t that a crazy thing to suggest?
Looking at art from the late 1400’s with Romani as the subject matter, they didn’t dress all that dissimilarly from White Europeans. They do seem to be wearing a cloth headdress which is exactly what we see in Caravaggio’s fortune teller painting and in Manfredi’s painting but not in Vouet’s fortune teller painting. What is in all these paintings that is in not in the earlier illustrations is the sari-like drape garment. So it would seem, at least me, that the blanket sari-like wrap was a garment worn by the Romani in the late 1500’s and not in the 1400’s. Could be wrong but given the art available, it points to that notion.
Michelle Newell as Esmeralda
Which bring us back to the 1977 version of Esmeralda and her Juliet-ish costume. A pervasive thought is that Romani were given clothing for fortuning or what not, so Esmeralda COULD have been given this dress in exchange for pleasing some noble for her dancing. Makes a certain level of sense.
Michelle Newell as Esmeralda
Comparing Esmeralda’s costume to Fleur de Lys’ costumes you may notice that Esmeralda’s dress has a different silhouette. Fleur’s costumes are more in keeping with the style of noble women in the 1480’s. The color for Fleur and Esmeralda’s costumes were inspired by the 1956 version of Hunchback; a red tone for Esmeralda and blues for Fleur, someday we’re going to discuss the topic of Esmeralda wearing red again, because I have more to say on that subject.
Hetty Baynes as Fleur de Lys
Since we’re on the topic, all Fleur’s costumes are all very beautiful in this version. She gets the fur trim and the hennin which all things that were in style for a lady of her standing in the 1480’s.
Michelle Newell as Esmeralda
Esmeralda’s costume looks a bit more like the style from the 1450’s which had a higher waist line but was that costume designer Dorothea Wallace’s intent? Was Wallace’s aim to emulate a style from the 1450’s suggesting that Esmeralda was gifted her dress? Or is there something else operating here? Something Groovy???
Dior pattern from 1977
Like every single period movie ever, costume design is more of a reflection of the time in which the movie is made rather than historical accuracy. It’s a truth! In the 1977 version while there is a historical silhouette that looks like Esmeralda’s movie costume, the silhouette was in vogue in the 1970’s especially with long gowns. High-waisted empire waistlines were not super popular in the late 1970’s but you did see it. Also the dull muted pink color of Esmeralda’s dress was in keeping with the muted earth tones that dominated 70’s fashion. Whereas Fleur’s costumes are light and bright in color I.E not as trendy for the decade. See another example here
Michelle Newell as Esmeralda
Does this mean anything? In my non-expert expert opinion, I think this means the costume of Esmeralda is trying to endear the audience to Esmeralda as her costume is aesthetic pleasing to the times and Fleur de Lys’ costumes are not as trendy. Meaning the costumes are showcasing the lovable tragic heroine and the cruel rich bitch.
Michelle Newell as Esmeralda
So while Esmeralda’s costume is a 1970’s take on Medieval style and Fleurs’ costumes are a little bit more in keeping with medieval sensibilities but are the costumes in the 1977 version good? For the most part they are good.As earlier started Fleur de Lys costumes are all lovely but Esmeralda’s costume doesn’t seem correct. This actually could be less of the fault of the costume and more with the casting. Michelle Newell is not a great casting pick for Esmeralda. This costume does showcase a sweeter Esmeralda that had not been seen since 1923 but it just doesn’t really work with the character or the attitude of the actress.
Michelle Newell as Esmeralda
Esmeralda’s costume could have read as more accurate depiction of what a young Romani woman could have worn in the 1480’s, the reality is that her costume was just made with the 1970’s fashion aesthetics in mind.
Follow thehunchblogHere are some gowns from the 2018 Academy Award Red Carpet that are are vaguely reminiscent of the costumes of Esmeralda and Fleur de Lys. There was a dire of gowns that were like anything that Esmeralda or Fleur de Lys were in any version, so I had to kinda broaden the scope of similar elements.
Esmeralda
Salma Hayek in Gucci, Oscars 2018
Of course Salma Hayek has a advantage for being reminiscent of Esmeralda because she played Esmeralda in the 1997 version but that is not why this Gucci gown is here. First the color, the light purple is one point with Disney’s Esmeralda main costume but there is also the tier layers which also invokes the Disney costume.
Laura Dern in Calvin Klein, Oscars 2018
I suppose I’m predisposed to be reminded of Esmeralda’s prisoner costume for Notre Dame de Paris anytime I see a white sheath dress with flutter sleeves and an emphasized neckline. This gown by Calvin Klein worn by Laura Dern would fit in well on stage for a Notre Dame de Paris production. The asymmetry of the sleeves also echoes the sleeves in Esmeralda’s green costume.
Leslie Mann in Zac Posen, Oscars 2018
So now you have to broaden the scope a little. While this gown by Zac Posen worn by Leslie Mann doesn’t completely shout Esmeralda there is something about that harkens back to Disney’s Esmeralda’s red dress. Of course the color helps but it’s the overlay and the fluidity of the layers that make it similar to Esmeralda’s costume.
Zoey Deutch in Elie Saab, Oscars 2018
This gown by Elie Saab and worn by Zoey Deutch doesn’t really reflect any costume of Esmeralda’s but there is something to the tiers and the embellishments that makes it elegant and bohemian that you could see it applied to an Esmeralda costume.
Fleur de Lys
Viola Davis in Michael Kors, Oscars 2018
This gown by Michael Kors and worn by Viola Davis just screams Fleur de Lys’ Notre Dame de Paris costume. It’s nearly on the money from the color to the silhouette to the use of sequin, even though Fleur de Lys’ costume has beading sometimes. If this gown was used in a production it would fit in so well amongst the other versions of the costume, even without the odd hemline.
Mirai Nagasu in Tadashi Shoji Oscars 2018
I guess I have the 1977 version of my mind so this gown worn by Mirai Nagasu by Tadashi Shoji has a lot of similarities to the costumes Fleur de Lys wears in that version. For starters the color, that soft light blue was in all of the 1977 Fleur’s costume aside from her wedding gown. The deep v-neckline and the long sleeves are reminders to Fleur’s costume aswell.
Emily Blunt in Schiaprelli, Oscars 2018
Again broaden the scope. This gown by Schiaprelli worn by Emily Blunt doesn’t really communicate a Fleur de Lys costume. There is however something about soft gray-blue color with its soft and prim feeling with a hit of edge that echoes Fleur de Lys’ character.
Follow thehunchblogNow that 2016 Award Season is over, let’s look at some gowns that are reminiscent of Esmeralda costumes, or something that an Esmeralda could wear. I’m 100% positive these gowns are in no way inspired by Esmeralda, it’s all coincidental.
Reese Witherspoon
Reese Witherspoon wearing Oscar de la Renta at 2016 Oscars
This gown is an Oscar de la Renta wore by Reese Witherspoon at the 2016 Oscars. This gown has a lot of commonalities to Disney Esmeralda’s costume. First off, the color, it’s a lovely rich shade of purple. The silhouette is very similar to Esmeralda though longer.
The exposed corset details with the vertical boning is similar Esmeralda’s corset especially with it being on the waist right below the bust. The volume at the bust also invokes Esmeralda’s peasant blouse.
It being strapless also helps, as Disney Esmeralda had exposed shoulders.
Saoirse Ronon
Saoirse Ronon wearing a custom Calvin Klein at 2016 Oscars
This gown is a custom Calvin Klein that Saoirse Ronon wore at the 2016 Oscars. It is very reminiscent of Esmeralda costume in Notre Dame de Paris, in its color, deep v-neck and the abstract spiral pattern. This pattern which is created with sequins would be perfect for Esmeralda’s Notre Dame de Paris costume more than some those floral patterns they get for the costume.
Zendaya
Zendaya wearing Marchesa at 2016 Golden Globes
This gown was designed by Marchesa and Zendaya wore it at the 2016 Golden Globes. I have made it clear I don’t care for Esmeralda wearing red but it is a go to color for her character so I can’t fight it. There is something about this gown that screams Esmeralda. It could be the tiers which is a very dancer type of silhouette which work for Esmeralda.
Zendaya in this gown looks very similar the the design of Esmeralda on the Notre Dame de Paris poster. She might be a good candidate for Esmeralda actually if they ever did Notre Dame de Paris as movie or in States again or a general musical.
Jada Pinkett Smith
Jada Pinkett Smith wearing Versace at 2016 Golden Globes
This gown was design by Versace and Jade Pinkett Smith wore it at the 2016 Golden Globes. This gown seems to be to like a merger of Esmeralda’s two Notre Dame de Paris costumes. You have the color and slit of her first act costume with the cowl neckline and sleeve detail of her prisoner costume.
Rachel McAdams & Sophie Tuner
Rachel Mcadams wearing an August Getty Atelier dress at 2016 Oscars
Sophie Turner wearing Wearing custom Galvan at 2016 Oscars
These two gowns aren’t ones I would compare to Esmeralda’s Notre Dame de Paris costume, though the colors are on par her fist act costume but I wanted to note the slits on these two gowns, it how the slit on the NDdP costume should work. Not the ugly curved thing they do.
Tori Kelly
Tori Kelly wearing Gauri and Nanika at 2016 Grammy Awards
Also the Gauri and Nanika gown that Tori Kelly wore at the 2016 Grammy Awards was the perfect Esmeralda color. The gown itself is lovely though it is not really that reminiscent of Esmeralda.
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I know very little about fashion, most of the time I dress is sweats because I like being comfortable and warm which are the stereotypical banes of fashion. But I had an idea for a blog post which I will do at the end of the month but the idea gave me another idea finding a high fashion/couture evening gown that was similar to Disney Esmeralda’s costume but in that up I found more which resembled the Notre Dame de Paris costume which I know most people don’t really like and have gown down recently. So here are some gowns that resemble the costume wore by Esmeralda and Fleur de Lys.
Oddly these are all Ellie Saab which I swear was not intentional.
Emerald Gown by Elie Saab Spring 2012
Esmeralda’s costume is a weird green color with some kind of print be it abstract or floral. It has a v-neck with asymmetrical bell sleeves. There is also sequins or beads on it. Ideally the costume should move when but that is not always the case. This gown has a lot of the basics down. The color is so perfect that is Emerald. Sleeves are tough to come by in gown so that is a pass but this one does have caps so that is something. Just take away that belt and add a slit and this would be perfect.
Green Gown by Elie Saab Eall-Winter 2013-2014
As an alternate, and yes there are a lot more gowns out there that would fit the bill but for today with other one by Elie Saab would do nicely. It’s a darker color of green but that is fine. This one also has the plunging v-neck and the beading creates a nice pattern. I like this one because it looks like it have more movement than the other one but that is due to the cut. Though again, gotta lose the belt though it doesn’t bother me as much.
Blush Gown by Elie Saab Spring 2011
This gown really inspired the post. This one just to me captures Fleur de Lys from Notre Dame de Paris. It has a grace and primness but there is more to than just a good noble lady. I just wish the bottom was a little bit different not because it’s not pretty but that type of slit is so Esmeralda. It could work for Fleur de Lys given the waistline though and her more edgy moments in the musical.
Also speaking as someone who likes the original Esmeralda costume, I really don’t like a lot more recent remakes. The shortness doesn’t look good it, just weird and the print which tries to mimic the original never looks as interesting. I think some better update need to be down,
Follow thehunchblogThis is old news but it’s new to me, Emerald Green is the color of 2013, Esmeralda would be so happy. It also a very in color for fall.
So how you add this color in to your wardrobe and maintain some of the essences of Esmeralda? An Emerald Esmeralda so to speak.
here are a few nice options,
Tolani Women’s Emerald Tunic Top
Tolani Women’s Emerald Tunic Top
The pattern on this reminds me the Notre Dame de Paris Esmeralda costume.
Columbia Women’s Arcadia Rain Jacket
Columbia Women’s Arcadia Rain Jacket
Mango Women’s Embossed Belt Dress
Mango Women’s Embossed Belt Dress
Bonus
Fall is the season for Renfaires
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Esmeralda exerting some power Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
Disney’s Esmeralda has a great style to emulate.It’s fun, bold and easy, what it really breaks down to is a peasant blouse with an interesting neckline and sleeve, purple bottoms, and a teal or blue statement belt. Gold complete the look. you can also had a purple scarf for a bit more punch. Keep the shoes minimal as she is barefoot.
Here are few pieces you get from Amazon to add a little Esmeralda spice to your wardrobe. (post is a little long)
Peasant Blouses; all come in white
Bottoms; all come in purple
Belts;
This is perfect, great color and you get the stripe affect.
Scarfs;
comes in purple
Shoes;
Jewelry; Remember, keep it gold and make sure you get bangles or a cuff and hoop earrings.
Follow thehunchblogQuasimodo as a woman. Call her Quasiralda.
Quasiralda
He looks like that cross-dressing gremlin from Gremlins 2: The New Batch
Esmeralda Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
Another New Squidoo lens about Esmeralda, this time it’s how to dress like her. I offer some tips of how one can emulate her style and some examples of clothing that fit. Lens is meant to fun. Enjoy
http://www.squidoo.com/dress-like-disney-esmeralda
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