Venetian Courtesan??

[Lishy]

Hi everyone.

I would like to put together a venetian courtesan ensemble for a New Years Eve Party, but am lost as to what is H/A and what isnt.  I dont mind if there are some fantasy elements to it, but Id at least like it to be recognizeable as a courtesan outfit.

Any help you can give me, from places to order pieces from to photos would be great.  My biggest question is: did the courtesans wear bloomers or skirts?  Ive seen several corsets with a bustle and split skirting with bloomers or tights beneath- is this how they would have dressed?  Also, were they more elaborate in their accessories such as jewels, fans,etc- or more reserved?

Is satin a h/a fabric at all??

Thanks so much!

[DonaCatalina]

go here http://realmofvenus.renaissanceitaly.net/

[isabelladangelo]

Take a look at all the lovely portraits at http://realmofvenus.renaissanceitaly.net/wardrobe/wardrobe.htm

The biggest difference between the noblewoman and the courtesans in dress was that the courtesans were supposed to wear a yellow veil.  That was pretty much it.  There is a lovely really late portrait of a courtesan showing her wearing her pants and a sheer embroidered dress over it.  It's in patterns of fashion 4 if you can get your hands on a copy.

[sealion]

Take a look at the Bella Donna site for ideas. http://www.belladonnacourtesans.com/

[Taffy Saltwater]

Let me recommend the movie "Dangerous Beauty" about the historical Venetian courtesan Veronica Franco.  The costuming is beautiful & good for lots of inspiration.  It's not history, and the gowns are at least partway fantasy, but you'll have fun making notes.

[Miranda]

If you really want a H/A costume I would NOT recommend Dangerous Beauty.  I have a love hate relationship with that movie.  It's entertaining but like all movies not terribly true to life.  For example, where are Veronica Franco's children, she had several.  The courtesan costumes are for the most part theatrical contrivances probably to distinguish them from the more accurate "respectable women".  But as far as an uplifting movie about love and overcoming adversity, its charming and Rufus Sewell is always pretty cute.  It did spawn a whole lot of excellent research on the lives of Venetian Courtesans.

The long and the short of it is that Courtesans in Venice seemed to dress pretty much the same as all of the upper crust ladies of Venice did, probably with a bit more flash and bling, considering that a successful Courtesan was often patronized by wealthy men.  If a man could afford the services of the best Courtesans in town, that said a lot about his status, and might boost him in the eyes of his peers. Gifting a courtesan with jewelry, etc would keep you in her good graces and ensure her favor.

I would recommend reading the costume diaries of these ladies.

http://www.demodecouture.com/projects/caterina/
http://www.demodecouture.com/projects/courtesan/index.html

The proprietress of Demode Couture is part of a Courtesan themed entertainment troupe Bella Donna
http://belladonnacourtesans.com/index.html

http://www.sempstress.org/diaries/courtesean/index.shtml
Sempstress has some great research

http://www.modehistorique.com/elizabethan/courtesan2.html
Mode Historique has some great stuff too.

http://www.jwlhyferdewinter.50megs.com/custom.html

Yes silk satin is period, but avoid the polyester sort.  It tends to look rather scholky.  I would advise a damask or brocade, as they tend to lend themselves well to these projects. 

[Zaubon]

I'm not familiar with the yellow veil for Ventian Courtesans, but red shoes are a requirement. That was the distinguishing factor in Venice.

[Miranda]

There was indeed a saffron veil rule.  There was also a rule stating that courtesans had to bare their nipples.  However there is some debate that these rules might have only applied to street walkers and the cortigiana di lume (a less educated courtesan who is still a step above the streetwalkers)...rather than the cortigiana onesta (Veronica Franco Types).

[Obadiah Jib]

hair horns.  give them a try!

[Taffy Saltwater]

If you can get your hands on a copy of Lives of the Courtesans - it's a marvelous research book! 

http://www.amazon.com/Lives-Courtesans-Rizzoli/dp/084780738X