Cleopatra Through the Artist's Eye: Horst P. Horst

Odalisque I (1943)

Horst P. Horst (1906-1999)

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Cleopatra's Closet

Aqua Kimono Mini Dress with Metal Belt

Mini kimono dress by Aqua. Crafted from lightweight, stretch fit fabric. Featuring an asymmetric cut with a single loose cut sleeve and a diagonally cut neckline, with a mini length skirt and a contrasting leather effect belt with push stud fastenings and a highly polished metal plate to the front 

Aqua 

$156.56

Cleopatra in Ads

Photo: Natasha Lawes

Cleopatra in ads for La Caixia Campaign. Makeup and costume by Natasha Lawes

Cleopatra's Closet

Panel Bib Necklace

Snake chain necklace that features a panel bin with lacquered and hammered details

Forever21

$14.80

Cleopatra in the 2012 Olympics

Photo: BP London 2012

Named after her grandmother, Cleopatra Borel was born on the east coast of Trinidad in the fishing community of Palisance Village, Mayaro. Encouraged by her father Raymond, who was an athlete in high school, Cleopatra pursued her interest in athletics from an early age, quickly developing a passion for the throwing events.

Cleopatra has been competing on the international stage for 10 years, with her first success coming at the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester, England, where she was placed just out of the medals in fourth place. In 2003, Cleopatra won her first international medal, a silver at the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Championships in Grenada. 2004 saw Cleopatra qualify for and compete in her first Olympics, the Games in Athens, where she was placed 10th in the shot put final.

Cleopatra continued to build on her athletic success. In 2006 she won bronze medals at the CAC Games in Columbia and the Commonwealth Games in Australia. Another bronze at the 2007 Pan American Games paved the way for her second Olympic qualification. She competed in the 2008 Beijing Games where she was placed 17th in the final shot put rankings.

The first international gold for Cleopatra came in 2010, at the CAC Games in Puerto Rico. In recognition of this achievement, the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee named her Female Athlete of the Year. Her success continued into 2011, where she picked up a silver medal at the Pan American Games and a gold medal at the CAC Championships. 

Cleopatra is currently an assistant coach at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia, USA. She works closely with the throwing coach, Gregory Jack, who is also her personal coach. Cleopatra would like to become a college coach in the future. She is conscious of her status as a role model for young Caribbean throwers, a position that comes with being one of the most successful female field athletes from the English-speaking Caribbean. 

Cleopatra holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Health Psychology from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County." 

~BP London 2012

Cleopatra's Closet

Mosaic Embellished Jumpsuit by Opulence

Mosaic embellished palazzo trouser jumpsuit with bust cut out

Topshop

£169

Cleopatra Through the Artist's Eye: Frederick Sandys

Photo: From Old Books

Cleopatra

Frederick Sandys (1829-1904)

Appeared in the Cornhill Magazine

Cleopatra's Closet

Ulysse Gold-Plated Braided Necklace

Inspired by the gods and goddesses of Greek mythology, Aurélie Bidermann's gold-plated braided panel necklace will give even the simplest looks instant impact. Show off this adornment to full effect with swept-back hair and a bare décolletage.

Aurélie Bidermann

$1,275

Being Cleopatra: Patricia Velasquez

Click here to buy The Mummy Trilogy on DVD

Patricia Velasquez being the Cleopatra-esque character of Anck su Namun in the 1999 film, The Mummy

Click here to buy The Mummy Trilogy on DVD

Cleopatra's Closet

Josey Draped Maxi Dress 

Riller & Fount

$173.60

Cleopatra Through the Artist's Eye: Artemisa Gentileschi

Photo: Onok-Art

Cleopatra

Artemisa Gentileschi (Italian, 1593-1656)

Cleopatra's Closet

Studded Crossbody

A tribal inspired crossbody featuring a fold over flap with sequin, stud, and bead embellishment

Forever21

$20.80

"Cleo Patra" singing jazz

Cleo Patra Brown singing Me And My Wonderful One, 1935

Cleopatra's Closet

Know The Ropes Embellished Brocade Dress

Stellar Australian label sass & bide gives the global traveler aesthetic a super polished spin with this ivory brocade cotton and silk-blend dress. Intricately embellished with eye-catching beads, this notice-me design is the perfect choice for your next event.

sass & bide

$750

Cleopatra Through the Artist's Eye: Gretchen Baer

Cleopatra

Gretchen Baer

Click here for more info

...and I'm off!

As many of you may know, when I'm not Being Cleopatra I'm an opera singer. For the next few months I will be trying to further my career in Europe. I will be in Florence, Italy for a month and Germany for two months. If you would like to follow my travels, check out TheDivaDiaries.net

Being Cleopatra has become an obsession of mine, so I hope to continue posting daily on Cleopatra, but my Facebook, Pinterest, or Twitter will probably not be updated as regularly.

Thank you for your continued support!

Buon viaggio!!

Being Cleopatra

Sue Holderness being Cleopatra in part three of The Cleopatras which aired on BBC in 1983

Cleopatra's Closet

Embellished Silk-Crepe Gown

Exquisitely cut from fluid silk-crepe, Notte by Marchesa's black gown is a spellbinding evening option. Be sure to showcase the ornate shoulder appliqué with an up-swept chignon, adding crystal drop earrings for an opulent after-dark ensemble.

Notte by Marchesa

$990

Cleopatra Sand Sculpture

Cleopatra Sand Sculpture

Cleopatra's Closet

Delicate Goddess Chain Headwrap

Urban Outfitters

$24

Being Cleopatra: Lindsay Lohan

Lindsay Lohan being Cleopatra in Lifetime's upcoming biopic Liz & Dick as she portrays Elizabeth Taylor 

Cleopatra Through the Artist's Eye: Vinc Cento

Cleopatra

Vinc Cento

Click here for more information on this artist

Cleopatra's Closet

Draped Jersey Wrap-Effect Dress

Washed-out hues are a fresh approach to party hour, so replace your LBD with Haute Hippie's serene cream jersey maxi dress. We love the Grecian-like folds and draping that gently fall over your curves for an arresting effect. Wear yours with a gilded plate necklace and multi-strap sandals for total goddess glamour.

Haute Hippie

$345

Cleopatra in Ads

Photo: Glamourologist

"Palmolive was developed in 1898 by the B.J. Johnson Company and by 1900 was the worlds best selling soap. It was named after its two principle ingredients - Palm and Olive oil.

By 1902 Palmolive had become known for its stylish advertising and sophisticated packaging and their message emphasised ingredient purity and the benefits of using their products.

In 1910 the company employed Lord & Thomas advertising agency to help them re position the brand into a luxury one that would enhance the beauty of women. This national campaign saw a series of wonderfully designed advertisements using Egyptian iconography."

~Glamourologist by Lucy Santos

Cleopatra's Closet

Pointed Bib Necklace

A short chain necklace featuring a pointed bib with pressed and shimmering lacquered details Forever21

$7.80

Being Cleopatra

Click here to buy Femme Fatale: Love, Lies, and the Unknown Life of Mata Hari by Pat Shipman, $11.98

Mata Hari being Cleopatra. Mata Hari (1876-1917) was a Dutch exotic dancer, courtesan, and accused spy who was executed by firing squad in France under charges of espionage for Germany during World War I. Click here to read more about this interesting life!

Click here to buy Femme Fatale: Love, Lies, and the Unknown Life of Mata Hari by Pat Shipman, $11.98

Cleopatra's Closet

Cutout Maxi Dress (also available in black)

Tinley Road

$89

Cleopatra's Closet

Mini Dress with Sequin Mesh

Embellished dress, featuring a round neckline, a mesh v insert to the centre front, sleeveless styling, a contrast sequin embellishment to the front, fitted insert mesh panels to the body, darts to the front and a zip fastening to reverse. Designed with a body-con fit and a mini length

ASOS

$78.28

Cleopatra Through the Artist's Eye: Giampetrino

Photo: Onok-Art

The Death of Cleopatra

Giovanni Pietro Rizzoli (aka Giampetrino) 

Circa 1530

Louvre, Paris

Let the Cleopatra feud begin!

Photo: Celebrity Dirty Laundry

There has been much talk about a 3D biopic with Angelina Jolie as Cleopatra and another of a rock musical film with Catherine Zeta-Jones as Cleopatra. Both say that these projects will start "immediately" (sounds a bit like the two Snow White films that came out within months of eachother, Snow White and the Huntsman and Mirror, Mirror).

There are now gossip sites saying that there is a feud between Jolie and Zeta-Jones...not sure that I agree that this is actually happening, but let the silly gossip begin: Celebrity Dirty Laundry

Cleopatra's Closet

Kimmie Tee

Available in tomato, dark sand, navy & black

$68

Cleopatra in Ads

Photo: Spoilt Blog

Cleopatra in an ad for Illamasqua Human Fundamentalism campaign