Volume 9 Issue 1

from the status quo.
“I would love to wear this look for a night
out, and I think wearing lots of blush has really
come back into style over the past few years…
especially with brands like Glossier becoming
famous for using lots of blush,” says Myra Wilson,
a junior marketing major at The University of
Alabama.
This idea of influential women being
used as inspiration is not a new one, as it was
happening in the 1850s with the introduction
of Elizabeth Siddal onto the Pre-Raphaelite art
scene. Elizabeth is perhaps most famous for being
the model for John Everett Millais’ 1852 painting
Ophelia. Although she later became an artist in her
own right, and in 1857, she was the only female
Pre-Raphaelite artist allowed to display her work at
Russel Place’s summer exhibition.
Siddal and other women in her circle broke
away from their time’s ideals of feminine beauty to
instead wear their hair loose and free flowing with
fresh faces adorned only with a scarlet lip stain.
This look was characterized by a light base, very
little eye makeup and a shock of red lipstick.
During this time, the way a woman
presented herself represented “not just her
morality, but the quality of her family, community
and class,” says Dr. Holly Grout, a professor of
history at The University of Alabama. Elizabeth’s
choice of makeup during this era was incredibly
radical, and to not conform to mainstream beauty
standards during this time was almost unheard of
for a woman of her status.
Another woman integral to a budding art
movement was Alice Prin. Prin, also known as Kiki
de Montparnasse, modeled for many artists during
the surrealist movement. Most famously, she is the
woman pictured in Man Ray’s 1924 photograph,
Le Violon d’Ingres. Prin was also a painter in
her own right, and in 1927 she hosted a
sold-out exhibition in Paris. Representing
her lifelong love of “decorating
herself,” she painted self-portraits and
landscapes in an expressionist style, and
signed her paintings only with “Kiki.”
Prin was the epitome of French beauty
in the 1920s and was most often painted and
photographed with deep red lips, blushed cheeks
and striking black eyeliner. She cemented herself
as a 1920s bohemian beauty with a signature look
that still holds true today.
Design by Meagan Riordan
Similarly to Alice Prin, Edie Sedgewick
was connected to a famous male artist who went
on to become the face of his art movement. Edie
was a 60s-era sculptress, model and actress,
and became entangled with pop artist Andy
Warhol in 1965, and was quickly dubbed one
of his “superstars.” The films she appeared in
were mostly shown at underground theatres, but
she began receiving media attention due to her
proximity with Andy Warhol.
Due to this attention, she created an
incredibly distinct personal style with short hair,
dark eyebrows, almost no blush and dark, heavy
eye makeup with nude lipstick. Her tumultuous
but vibrant life inspired many superstars of the
60s, and she was a large influence on fashion and
makeup during this era.
“I love this look,” says Maggie Jutze, a
senior majoring in political science at UA. “I
already love the sixties style of makeup, and I think
this look would be great for a more dramatic night
out,” says Jutze.
Each one of these women were unique
and made their mark on the world; these looks
will give you a bit of their spark and help to carry
on their noteworthy legacy. From whimsical 60s
cut creases to sleek 20s bobs, each of these
looks has something for everyone. Whether
taking inspiration from their innovative hairstyles,
clothing or makeup looks, these powerful and
influential muses can serve as a guide to style for
all.
Alice Fall 2023 19