Did you know that there’s been an ongoing debate about whether Cleopatra wrote a book imparting her beauty secrets to the world? No? Well, neither did we. But now we do, thanks to Egyptologist Colleen Darnell - the historian bringing the online world a treasure trove of knowledge and mysteries entombed within the walls of Ancient Egypt’s dynasties. And she’s doing it with a side of vintage fashion. Dressed up in outfits from the 1920s, 1930s and 1940s, Colleen uses social media to delve into Ancient Egyptian civilisation while posing in sites teeming with history - think Great Gatsby meets The Mummy.
"It can be really difficult to find accurate information about ancient Egypt online, so for me it was a way of combining two things that I really love [vintage fashion and Egyptology], and through the captions and videos, be able to convey the information,” Colleen tells Grazia. "Often what I’ll do is, in the caption or the video, I’ll be describing the ancient monument or whatever theme I’m talking about, and then sometimes I’ll find a link with what I’m wearing."
Posing in flapper dresses and bias-cut gowns in sites that are historically charged, Colleen brings the lecture to life. The egyptologist has also taken part in shoots with emerging designers in Egypt, the likes of Kojak, and in historical locations like the Philae temple; the temple of Edfu; and in Cairo's Marriott Mena House hotel, which once hosted British author and creator of Sherlock Holmes series, Arthur Conan Doyle.
“It’s usually for fancy shoots where I’m in full ‘30s evening dress or a '20s flapper dress. When I’m actually excavating in Egypt, it’s usually '70s and '80s,” shares Colleen. “I love everything about ‘20s clothes. And then ‘30s I also adore, because I think it’s such a flattering style, particularly the bias cut evening dresses and the day time dresses, I think are just the height of sophistication.”
Did you know that there’s been an ongoing debate about whether Cleopatra wrote a book imparting her beauty secrets to the world? No? Well, neither did we. But now we do, thanks to Egyptologist Colleen Darnell - the historian bringing the online world a treasure trove of knowledge and mysteries entombed within the walls of Ancient Egypt’s dynasties. And she’s doing it with a side of vintage fashion. Dressed up in outfits from the 1920s, 1930s and 1940s, Colleen uses social media to delve into Ancient Egyptian civilisation while posing in sites teeming with history - think Great Gatsby meets The Mummy.
STRIKING A POSE IN 1930S ATTIRE
"It can be really difficult to find accurate information about ancient Egypt online, so for me it was a way of combining two things that I really love [vintage fashion and Egyptology], and through the captions and videos, be able to convey the information,” Colleen tells Grazia. "Often what I’ll do is, in the caption or the video, I’ll be describing the ancient monument or whatever theme I’m talking about, and then sometimes I’ll find a link with what I’m wearing."
PHOTOGRAPHED AT TEMPLE OF SHESMETET IN WADI HILAL
Posing in flapper dresses and bias-cut gowns in sites that are historically charged, Colleen brings the lecture to life. The egyptologist has also taken part in shoots with emerging designers in Egypt, the likes of Kojak, and in historical locations like the Philae temple; the temple of Edfu; and in Cairo's Marriott Mena House hotel, which once hosted British author and creator of Sherlock Holmes series, Arthur Conan Doyle.
“It’s usually for fancy shoots where I’m in full ‘30s evening dress or a '20s flapper dress. When I’m actually excavating in Egypt, it’s usually '70s and '80s,” shares Colleen. “I love everything about ‘20s clothes. And then ‘30s I also adore, because I think it’s such a flattering style, particularly the bias cut evening dresses and the day time dresses, I think are just the height of sophistication.”
It’s no surprise that Colleen has chosen fashion as a medium to disseminate historical knowledge - the two fields have been linked with one being indicative of the other since the dawn of civilisation. Fashion has invariably played a prominent role in society that can be traced back to ancient times, where it was considered an indicator of social status.
In Ancient Egypt, certain materials and styles were reserved for the upper echelons of society, such as wigs, which were usually a symbol of wealth. Similarly, in modern times, fashion is a reflection of ideals and the constantly shifting nature of gender roles; one that is used to make a statement.
Article originally published on Gaziame.com
Sun, Dec. 27, 2020
