New Elizabethan - Helena Bonham Carter

When comparing contemporary figures of influence to that of Elizabeth I the first woman that came to mind for me personally was that of Helena Bonham Carter. Carter is a well known British actress appearing in a number of memorable performances from Fight Club (1999) to Les Miserable (2012) and is well known for placing her own unique gothic twist into everything she does whether it be her films or personal sense of style. She is a woman completely of her own creation often being referred to as the 'Corset Queen' or 'English Rose' because of her roles as corseted figures within her partner Tim Burtons most renowned productions, such as the dark musical film adaptation of 'Sweeney Todd'.

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Although this image may not directly scream Elizabethan influence there are a number of features surrounding Helena Bonham Carter within this photo that are representative of a connection. Carter is seen here with reddish brown hair and pale skin, two features considered examples of Elizabethan beauty but these are also features that have served her well within many of her gothic characterisations through which many historical eras have been explored. In addition to this her eyes are also dark and rounded much like those of Elizabeth I, perhaps though what connotes her most is her naturally youthful appearance. Elizabeth had an obsession with youth and would do anything to cling to that image, often meaning her downfall when she was met in real life to be older and more wrinkled. This is a contrast however to Carter who despite being in her 50's remains effortlessly youthful in appearance, indeed throughout her acting career Carter appears to have barely aged at all.
To me Helena is a modern embodiment of a Renaissance beauty with her long curly red hair, pale skin and dark rounded eyes and perhaps that is why she remains so recognisable in a society obsessed with fake tan and peroxide. Despite this however Helena Bonham Carter's looks are almost the only thing that establishes her as a New Elizabethan for her sense of classy British eccentricity may be considered far from the sophistication expected of Elizabethan autocracy. Elizabeth was known for her independent strength and feminine leadership but similarly Helena is known for her creative madness, well spoken voice and desire for the unordinary quoting that "imperfection is underrated". Physically Helena is an embodiment of modern Renaissance beauty, her attitude and sense of class only heightens her as a figure of English sophistication and yet she is completely a woman of English eccentricity and a sense of madness has been lost from todays society. But regardless of her class and historical features of beauty there is no doubt that Carter would be more at home with the creatures of Elizabethan superstition than that of the autocratic society.