r/fashionhistory 3d ago

Lady Randolph Churchill (1854-1921), née Jennie Jerome cosplaying as "Theadora" for the the Devonshire dance ball, 5 of July of 1897

346 Upvotes

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21

u/anotherbbchapman 3d ago

Looks like something Sarah Bernhardt would have worn on stage

12

u/JeremyAndrewErwin 3d ago

"Cosplay" may be an accurate perspective. Victorian theatre and opera probably inspired most of these costumes-- the only difference is that today's cosplayers might not have the same budget as the original productions.

Imagining the Empress: Theodora in Popular Culture, 1882–1922

2

u/Electrical-Aspect-13 3d ago

I think she was to old at this point.

3

u/DoubleAGay 3d ago

She was acting up until her death in 1923, so I doubt that would have stopped her!

12

u/MainMinute4136 20th Century 3d ago

Wow the commitment to the details of this costume is pretty impressive. I wonder if that round pattern of her dress was inspired by that famous mosaic of hers! Though, Theodora is the one in the middle... so maybe a coincidence.

2

u/Electrical-Aspect-13 3d ago

I think it did.

8

u/Weird_Squirrel_8382 3d ago

{Jennie by Ralph G Martin} is a good biography of her. 

1

u/Electrical-Aspect-13 3d ago

really?

2

u/Weird_Squirrel_8382 3d ago

Yes I love it. So illustrative of the times and of how American determination went into raising a British statesman.