Welcome, visitor! The objective of my project is to show the impact of bridal veils as displayed through film and media and the evolution of the significance of wearing a veil. If you are intrigued by a particular area, I encourage you to explore the displayed links and videos. I suggest viewing the videos on a computer or tablet. Also, if you are browsing the videos, please pause or stop each one so the player does not continue from the previous video.
My exhibit is organized into the following areas:
History
Since ancient times, women wore veils as a symbol of high status. Bridal veils specifically protected the bride from evil spirits and were a symbol of innocence. However, Queen Victoria of England popularized wearing white wedding dresses and the bridal veil when she married Prince Albert in 1840. White was considered the color of wealth (not purity) because it was difficult to maintain white before modern bleaching techniques. However, Victoria chose white for her wedding day because it was an ideal color to display lace from England, and she wanted to promote the perception of innocence associated with the color.
Textiles
The exhibit includes resources from the Victoria & Albert Museum, Honiton, UK, and the Museum of Lace in Burano to show examples of lace and embroidery techniques.
Royal Weddings
From the newsreels of Elizabeth II's wedding to Prince Philip to millions of TV viewers today, royal weddings have featured dramatic and majestic veils to complement royal bridal ensembles.
Depiction in film, news media, and fashion
Veils play a supporting role in movies such as Rapsodia Satanica, Funny Face, The Sound of Music, The Godfather, and other films. The veil can reveal a great deal about its wearer as we will explore in this section.
Identity and Future Trends
This area provides some resources for learning more about veils and the possibilities for gender-fluidity.
Summary
The veil allows its wearer to create a dramatic moving image because of the diaphanous nature of the fabric, which provides motion in a way that the rest of the ensemble does not. The veil has morphed from a symbol of innocence and purity to an elevated accessory to convey qualities associated with being regal, confident, and unique.
Credits
Marissa Guijarro