In the 21st
Century, it has recently become a trend to flaunt your status.
Traditionally throughout history, this has been portrayed through
wealth in portraits, stories and films. In the last decade, status
symbols in modern society can be seen in many different ways – some
more subtle than others. These sort of symbols are important to take
into account when design a 'New' Elizabethan look.
The first image above
is Kylie Jenner displaying her wrist covered in 'arm candy' on the
social media platform Instagram. To any normal onlooker they would
admire the bracelets and move on. After studying the image for longer
and researching the logo, it becomes clear that the Cartier 'love
bracelets' on her wrist are worth $32,650 on one wrist alone. Kylie
Jenner has risen to fame through the Kardashian family and brand and
this single image demonstrates the kind of status and wealth the
youngest member (at 18) has in modern society.
Other obvious displays
of status are high-end, labeled clothing and accessory brands.
Louboutin heels have been a huge trend since 2007 and wealthy people
will splash out £450 on average for a plain patent pair of stilettos
– with the red on the underneath of the shoe. Flashing the red sole
of the shoe flaunts somebody's social status even when they are just
walking down the street. Handbags are another very popular symbol of
status. Highly desired handbags are designed by Prada and can be
bought for around £1,050 for a leather tote. These kinds of symbols
are traditional ways to demonstrate the fact you have money and this
has been used throughout history with objects such as diamonds, gold
and family heirlooms.
Less obvious examples
of status symbols would be the choice of your life partner.
Celebrities like Angelia Jolie and Brad Pitt are a prime example of
an extremely wealthy family, high up in societies hierarchy in the
'celebrity' world, that almost show off their status through their
attractiveness. Their worth, wealth and looks correlate with their high
status. The power of your partner could also symbolise your status in
society. Michelle Obama is married to the most powerful man in the
USA and this obviously shows her and her families high status in the
world. These aspects of modern social symbols could hark back to
historical icons like Henry VI marrying multiple attractive woman to
create powerful male offsprings or portraits created of royalty to
show their power over their realms.
A very contemporary and
recent trend of social status is a 'green' lifestyle' and social
media plays a massive part in displaying this. Being healthy and
having a 'good body' has always been a trend, but in recent months
crazes for diet teas and green detox smoothies have taken off. Being
able to afford and maintain this sort of lifestyle (whilst
photographing and uploading to social media platforms) is subtle way
of showing your social status. In Elizabethan times, changes to your
diet like spoiling the stomach with dirt and coal to make your skin
pale or painting your face with toxic concoctions showed your
inspiration from the Queen's wealth and status.
The final two images represent more modern but more obvious shows of social status. Expensive cars reflect great wealth and have been a sign of this since cars were first invented. A 'fit' and 'healthy' body is an extension of the green lifestyle and attractive partners but is the ideal for the public to look up too and achieve through expensive clothes and personal trainers. All of these are often displayed through wealthy people or the celebrities of the modern world and therefore have become public and iconic status symbols of the modern world. For my project, I will look into ways of incorporating this research mixed with the traditional Elizabethan symbols to optimise the New Elizabeth theme.
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