When we think of Cleopatra, we think not only of the legendary Egyptian queen, but also of Elizabeth Taylor in her most majestic role. The film, one of the most expensive in the history of cinema, marked a turning point in both film costume design and Taylor’s personal life.
Fascinating Facts About the Filming
- The most expensive budget of its time: It cost over 44 million dollars, a colossal sum that nearly bankrupted 20th Century Fox.
- Over 65 costume changes: Each outfit was designed to reflect a different phase in Cleopatra’s life: the strategist, the lover, the queen.
- Hollywood’s most talked-about romance: Taylor and Richard Burton (Mark Antony) began their relationship during filming, making headlines around the world.
- A Cleopatra ahead of her time: Intelligent, sensual and powerful, she was a figure who epitomised the rise of female empowerment in the 1960s.
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Make-up that made history: Taylor’s blue and gold eyeliner set a trend and continues to inspire make-up artists and designers to this day.
The Most Iconic Looks
- The golden coronation gown: It sparkled with hundreds of sequins and embroidery, symbolising the sun god Ra and the queen’s divine power.
- The blue Nile gown: Light and ethereal, it showcased her most romantic side alongside Mark Antony.
- The golden snake headdress: An absolute icon of the film and a symbol of wisdom and power.
- The entry into Rome: A spectacular display featuring a 24-metre purple cloak and a golden winged headdress. A moment that redefined the concept of the ‘queen of cinema’.
Timeless Fashion
Cleopatra’s looks transcended the screen and turned Elizabeth Taylor into a symbol of elegance and empowerment. Her influence lives on in modern catwalks, fashion spreads and music videos that pay homage to Egyptian glamour.
More than just a film, Cleopatra was a cultural phenomenon in which history, passion and fashion intertwine to remind us that female power not only conquers empires… it also conquers the screen.
If you’d like to hear more interesting facts about the film or discover secrets about the real Cleopatra, here’s the link to the podcast so you can find out more about her story: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4P3URTsf518HFZTq00kCVE?si=NES7jvKzQuO7ZRW218XaYw
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