Josiah &Â Helen Spode
Josiah Spode lived at Hawkesyard Estate from the age of 6 and moved in with his mother Mary Spode. After mortgaging their previous property at £10,000 they purchased Hawkesyard Estate. In 1848 he married Helen Spode. In my recreation of these two characters they are based in the early 1860's with inspiration was directly taken from this image and further research into the society they would have been apart of.
Josiah Spode
This look is composed of three postiche pieces which are formed from a moustache and two side burns. Josiah appears to have sported a style referred to as a Burnside inspired by General A.E. Burnside where the facial hair did not grow above the cheekbones imitating the position of the previous "Piccadilly Weepers" leaving the chin bare with two clean edges in line with the corners of the mouth, the top sections of this style meet and grow into the sides of the moustache. The Moustache featured in the picture is highly textured taking direct inspiration from the portrait of Josiah Spode.
Helen Spode
Helen Spode is happily married to Josiah Spode and within this shoot, it illustrates the daytime fashions of the Mid-victorian period where a woman would have two outfits per day. Firstly is one which is presentable for receiving guests to their property, but not overly dressed which was deemed unnecessary within this era.
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Hair was subtle with a fashionable centre parting and rolls/twists as details and understated accessories. This is finished with two barrel curls below the crown of the head.
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The makeup is fair with subtle blusher bringing focus to the eyes and lips which were the focus of the era. Beetroot was often used as rouge and lipstick in this era and was worn by women of high social status and confidence to start trends.
Orangery
These images aim to capture the relationships and the importance of physical appearance. As a married couple no longer under the pressure trying to create first impressions. Couples would present themselves in their finest dress to ensure security in their relationship and just in case of friends come visiting.
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​Josiah's mother expanded upon the property with additional rooms and took pride in the beautiful orangery. Therefore these models were depicted outside this structure which was restored to its former beauty.
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Gardens
Josiah was described as a keen gardener thus making it important to show this element of their lifestyle. The gardens on the property at Hawkesyard estate are grande and well kept, inspired by the style left by the last couple who were residents in the victorian period. In the Victorian period, inspiration came from the monarchs Victoria and Albert who made it fashionable to have pristine estates and grounds with frequent visitors.
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Within the Victorian era emphasise was placed upon pride in ones estate and grounds.
