Who would have thought tails would become so fashionable? After counting as a definite fashion faux paux on the blue Avatars from Pandora, tails are now finding favour with the fashion and movie industry in mermaid fashion, inspired by their mythical namesake. Sample this. In Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, Captain Jack Sparrow (played by Johnny Depp) encounters a group of characters in the midst of his adventures, including a mermaid named Syrena (French actress Astrid Berg s-Frisbey). Above the water line, the seductively beautiful Syrena and her mermaid entourage entrance the sailors who encounter them. Once back in the water, however, these mermaids are lethal creatures whose kisses can quite literally kill.
That's not all. Recently, the ramp has been graced multiple times with details of fish scales, sequins and shimmering fabrics. Stella McCartney referenced mermaids in her Fall 2010 collection with large sequins and Merchesa's Fall 2011 collection saw mermaid hems. Mermaid fashion has gone places in 2011. This year's Grammy Awards saw both, Nicole Kidman and Rihanna wear mermaid gowns from Gaultier's Spring 2011 Couture collection. April's cover of American Vogue even featured Rihanna, channelling her inner Ariel from Disney's The Little Mermaid by wearing a delicately embroidered, mermaid-inspired, Chanel Pre-Fall 2011 dress, shot by Annie Leibovitz.
The fascination with mermaids is not new, though. The mermaid myth has long existed, influencing art and culture over time. Typically, the mermaid is pretty and gentle, with long hair and a sweet voice -- she is deep and mysterious, and has an innocence which sets her apart from her darker and more seductive cousin, the Siren.
The first known mermaid story originated in Assyria around 1000 BC and told of a beautiful goddess who accidentally killed the human shepherd she loved. In her shame, the goddess dived into a lake intending to take the shape of a fish. Instead she became a mermaid. An ancient Greek legend, meanwhile, claims that Alexander the Great's sister, Thessalonike, became a mermaid after she died. Depending on her mood, Thessalonike had the power to calm the seas and ensure ships a safe journey or to stir up dangerous storms.
With their popularity, it's no wonder that a number of red carpet outfits in the last few years too have taken up the mermaid influence, from actor Marion Cotillard's white and silver gown to Kate Hudson's green off-the-shoulder number, both seen at the 2008 Academy Awards. Jean Paul Gaultier clearly had true mermaid tradition in mind when he created his Spring/Summer 2008 Couture collection. Mythical and sweet, he included details like fish-scaling, shimmering fabrics and sequins.
Whatever their story, mermaids have always been represented as beauteous creatures with long hair cascading in curls, and a graceful fish tail. The perfect accessories for a mermaid-inspired dress are strings of long necklaces, especially pearls, and long flowing tresses.
That's not all. Recently, the ramp has been graced multiple times with details of fish scales, sequins and shimmering fabrics. Stella McCartney referenced mermaids in her Fall 2010 collection with large sequins and Merchesa's Fall 2011 collection saw mermaid hems. Mermaid fashion has gone places in 2011. This year's Grammy Awards saw both, Nicole Kidman and Rihanna wear mermaid gowns from Gaultier's Spring 2011 Couture collection. April's cover of American Vogue even featured Rihanna, channelling her inner Ariel from Disney's The Little Mermaid by wearing a delicately embroidered, mermaid-inspired, Chanel Pre-Fall 2011 dress, shot by Annie Leibovitz.
The first known mermaid story originated in Assyria around 1000 BC and told of a beautiful goddess who accidentally killed the human shepherd she loved. In her shame, the goddess dived into a lake intending to take the shape of a fish. Instead she became a mermaid. An ancient Greek legend, meanwhile, claims that Alexander the Great's sister, Thessalonike, became a mermaid after she died. Depending on her mood, Thessalonike had the power to calm the seas and ensure ships a safe journey or to stir up dangerous storms.
With their popularity, it's no wonder that a number of red carpet outfits in the last few years too have taken up the mermaid influence, from actor Marion Cotillard's white and silver gown to Kate Hudson's green off-the-shoulder number, both seen at the 2008 Academy Awards. Jean Paul Gaultier clearly had true mermaid tradition in mind when he created his Spring/Summer 2008 Couture collection. Mythical and sweet, he included details like fish-scaling, shimmering fabrics and sequins.
Whatever their story, mermaids have always been represented as beauteous creatures with long hair cascading in curls, and a graceful fish tail. The perfect accessories for a mermaid-inspired dress are strings of long necklaces, especially pearls, and long flowing tresses.
