Eloise at the Plaza and in the World of High Culture

When one thinks of cartoons or animation it is often that they also associate them with children. The art of cartoons is taken to be something of child’s play not taken seriously in the world of high fashion and culture, or at least not until recently. With animated films/shows such as Shrek, Team America, and Family guy, it seems that a new respect for cartooning and animation is born. While adults now can enjoy cartoons featuring adult humor and themes, one cartoon has taken the juvenile world of cartoons, and turned it into an icon of high class and society. The cartoon Eloise at the Plaza created by Kay Thompson and illustrated by Hilary Night in 1954.

The simple elements that make up Eloise, truly show the modern need for simplicity today, as she combines elegant clothes (at times dawning Dior) with spunky hair and an attitude to match. Her illustration is simple, mostly consisting of two colors pink and yellow, which give a girly impression and a classy feel. She is outlined with black lining creating an elegant simplicity that can only be captured by a little girl who lives at The Plaza in New York. Although she is six she has the culture of a woman of much more experience and the mischievous manner of a child, which together could only be combined in this one of a kind girl.

Recently a young actress, Sofia Vassilieva, has taken on the role of Eloise capturing the essence of a young lady with poise, and the roguish behavior of a six your old creating this icon of high class. Vanity Fair magazine featured an article on Eloise naming it a pastime worthy of the world of high culture. And indeed it has grown to be so. Now this cartoon is no longer considered on the level of a juvinile level, but and icon to children across the world, and societies finest. This is so far so that a fashion line inspired by Eloise has been recently put on the market by the designer Betsey Johnson.

So the next time that you think about cartoons and the effects it can place of society, think of Eloise and I think you will “rawther” find cartoons to be shed in a new light.

Eloise Photo 1:

http://thelifevicarious.typepad.com/the_life_vicarious/2008/12/nightmares-of-russian-wives-and-viennese-pastries-at-the-plaza.html

Eloise photo 2:

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipaiyHOv3keCiB9_SkR9Ino-qX7uFmt9LzCerzoZtGupzbWVLjE5V9TRg7IjX7Hq16gryYKgNfGXy6ZJ2Cfk3kmtkUwImhK38fDzfE9i0eSZyBx86S4Qoiu_VZOTQwB2nVSqEEn3sYvSE/s400/hht2_s.jpg

Photo 3:

http://www.littleboxofideas.com/images/blog/cartooncharacters/meeloise.jpg