There is probably only a small number of queens from history which most people know of. Queen Marie Antoinette (1755-1793) was definitely among the most famous. She was known not just for her tragic story but as one of the foremost fashion trendsetters of her day. Her style continues to inspire designers, nearly 250 years after her death.
Marie Antoinette’s fashion phases include the high Rococo style with large poufy hairdos and huge panniered (side extensions) gowns done in decorative overdrive with bows, frills and feathers. This reproduction of the Le Brun 1778 portrait shows just how over the top the French court dress was.

