The film Cleopatra released in 1963 is as legendary as the Egyptian queen it is based on. Considered to be one of the most expensive Hollywood films, the feature film by Joseph L. Mankiewicz made Elizabeth Taylor a star with her performance as Cleopatra. The actress with “violet eyes” received a million dollars for the role, making her the best-paid woman in the world that year. In the film, she plays a sensual and aloof Queen, who manages to charm Caesar and Mark Antony, played by Richard Burton with whom Taylor started a passionate affair during filming, which was seen as scandalous since both actors were married. A legendary couple was born. A lot can be said about this film that almost bankrupted Fox, with a gigantic budget, hellish filming and star whims… The sumptuous costumes of Elizabeth Taylor (over 65 of them!) made up the wardrobe of a seductive and beautiful Queen. The most iconic of these costumes is the golden dress worn by Cleopatra when she arrives in Rome, and when she commits suicide. Here is everything you need to know about this iconic costume.
An ode to the Queen
Cleopatra wants to make an impression in Rome, accompanied by her son, Caesarion, born of her relationship with Julius Caesar. She therefore decides to wear an outfit that represents her power. Arriving on a monumental chariot adorned with a sphinx statue, Cleopatra seduces the Roman public, as well as Mark Antony, with her golden dress, extraordinary cape, sculptural headdress decorated with snakes surrounding the sun, tribute to the god Ra.
A cape in 24-karat gold
A spectacular headdress is reminiscent of a phoenix, a legendary bird with the power to come back to life and a symbol of Cleopatra's ambition. The phoenix is also depicted on the cape made of 24-karat gold, sheared into thin strips of golden leather decorated with thousands of beads sketching the wings of the bird, and in the dress adorned with feathers. This stunning costume matches the one worn by Caesarion, the child king presented to the people as future Pharaoh of Egypt.
A legendary costume
The actress's wardrobe for the film was worth over 194,800 dollars for the 65 outfits worn on screen, and it is the highest budget allocated for a single character in the history of film. The golden dress contributed to the success of the film, which earned four Oscars including the one for Best Costume for Irene Sharaff and Vittorio Nino Novarese. In 2012, the gold cape was auctioned off for 59,365 dollars.
Also on Vogue.fr:
The 20 most iconic dresses in cinematic history
The most iconic gold dresses in cinema
Translated by Maria Atallah
