Fräulein Kost (Historical)

To help bring this particular character to life I have used Stanislavski's acting technique. This will aid me with a basic understanding of my chosen character and what they are like in order to create a suitable design. 

Fräulein Kost

1. Fraulein Kost is one of the roomers of Fraulein Schroeder’s house. She earns money by offering ‘favours’ to sailors in the form of prostitution. She has a strong sexual comfort and a commanding nature. Her personality is noticably comedic, yet it is tragic as she depends on selling her body in attempt to get by in life. It is possible that she could be a metaphor for Germany’s economic issues with high rates on umeployment and financial struggles.

Miss Magnolia Thunderpussy's photos with the prostitutes, 2010, Street walkers in Berlin, 1920s, viewed 20.10.14 [online image] Available at: http://www.ipernity.com/tag/57114/keyword/735577

Photos by Stefanie Genda, Viewed 20.10.14, Cabaret, The College of Wooster, [online image] Available at: http://www.stefaniegenda.com/cabaret.html

Her appearance is vaguely described in this chapter, “blonde florid girl with large silly blue eyes”, “plump but has good figure”. Describing Frl. Kost’s eyes as “silly” and suggesting that she is slightly “plump” plays on the fact she is more comedic and fun loving. But there are also sayings that you should never trust someone with blue eyes. Later in the chapter this will become obvious as to why I have picked up on this. Blue eyes and blonde hair also show a sense of youth. To me, this is ironic, as for some reason I imagine Frl. Kost to be a more mature woman than the likes of Sally. I see Frl. Kost as the image of Sally's future. 

From the information gathered, I imagine Frl. Kost to be fairly busty, with a sexual confidence. I can picture her being remotely attractive, but nothing more than beautifully grotesque. As her appearance is described with a sense of comedy, I caan only image that her hair and make-up will reflect this, in the sense that it will be heavily overdone, almost drag-like.

With this image in mind, I felt Frl. Kost has the slight resemblance of the German actress and singer, Marlene Dietrich. She starred in multiple silent films during the 1920's and made her most notable performance in 1929 as Lola Lola in 'The Blue Angel', ironically as a Cabaret singer. Based upon this performance, Dietrich was described as:

“Already nearly 30 and absolutely dripping with sensuality; because she hadn’t yet been placed on the Hollywood starvation diet, she wasn’t so gaunt and languid; she exudes an athletic frankness that makes her more sexually appealing.” 

Marlene Dietrich’s “The Blue Angel” (1930), 2011, viewed 20.10.14, Available at: http://feminema.wordpress.com/2011/11/07/marlene-dietrichs-the-blue-angel-1930/

The blonde hair, sexual appeal and the fuller figure all seem fitting with Frl. Kost’s image. What does contrast is the obvious higher level of glamour of Dietrich, but Frl. Kost strives for this effect in her appearance, yet fails in her behaviour.

Marlene Dietrich’s “The Blue Angel” (1930), 2011, viewed 20.10.14 [online image] Available at: http://feminema.wordpress.com/2011/11/07/marlene-dietrichs-the-blue-angel-1930/

Dazzlin' Gal, 2011, DAZZLIN’ MAKEUP THROUGH THE YEARS, THE 1930S , viewed 20.10.14 [online image] Available at:  http://dazzlingal.com/2011/12/05/dazzlin-makeup-through-the-years-1930s/

These images show her luxurious blonde hair, fair skin and lightly coloured eyes. Her bone structure exaggerates her natural beauty, with her highly defined cheekbones. He eyebrows are extremely precise and highly arched. This make-up and hair show a resemblance of the fashions in 1920 Berlin, but Dietrich is far too beautiful to base Frl. Kost’s character upon.

2. The scene that I have chosen is when Bobby returns from Frl. Kost’s room and slyly tiptoes back and says goodnight to Frl. Schroeder. It is apparent that there is a suspected affair between Kost and Bobby, as suggested in this scene as he is in Kost’s room, “Bobby’s voice, laughing and whispering”. I can only imagine that they are not simply just friends, but they are getting up to no good, “creaking of boards and muffled laughter”. Frl. Schroeder definitely has her suspicions of the pair, which builds up into a rather large outburst. The intense aftermath of this scene shows Frl. Schroeder demanding Frl. Kost comes out of the bathroom. Frl. Schroeder’s tears signify the traumatic realisation she has of this situation, and that Frl. Kost is just a “common prostitute”. The harsh truth is spoken and Frl. Kost is reduced to exactly what she is from an outsider's opinion. When we are reminded of this fact, we instantly picture a very common and unladylike woman, who has a lack of respect for herself. 

This brings me to the paintings of Otto Dix. He portrays the prostitutes in a highly grotesque manner. The women all look desperately disgusting with very obvious nudity. Their bodies are not portrayed in a flattering way and their faces appear slightly distorted. With the knowledge of Frl. Kost’s profession as a prostitute, I have to consider how this has taken its tole on her body and facial appearance.

Art, 2011, viewed 20.10.14 [online image] Available at: http://madamepickwickartblog.com/2011/05/gotta-serve-somebody-2/

The Online Otto Dix Project, viewed 20.10.14 [online image] Available at: http://www.ottodix.org/index/catalog-item/130.005.html

3. The scene in which I am creating Frl. Kost’s look, will be from her bedroom. In the book, we aren’t shown into her bedroom, neither do we know what is going on in there. But the suggestions are strong enough to understand that she is in there with Bobby with suspicions of an affair. With this in mind, I imagine the setting to be sultry, with the lights dimmed as a symbol of their behaviour wanting to be kept a secret. I imagine her room to be feminine, but also messy with maybe a few childish and comical additions, such as a silly teddy bear or oversized underwear hanging from a coat stand. As her ‘profession’ is being a prostitute, the bed is likely to be a key feature of her room and I would expect her to be casually relaxed on the bed with Bobby, and dressed in some loose but seductive nightwear. I also image her bed to have drapings, metaphorical for the fact her profession is prostitution and that the bed symbolises her centre stage. 

Here is an image of how I could picture the colour and lighting of her bedroom where this affair is taking place, but obviously on a much less impressive scale:

Luxury Dark Bedroom With Scary Gothic Interior Ideas, 2014, Viewed 20.10.14 [online image] Available at: http://www.bodew.com/luxury-dark-bedroom-with-scary-gothic-interior-ideas/

4. The scene is set at night, which suggests darkened lighting. The darkened lighting symbolises the secrets and shadey behaviour of the pair. With it being night time and the lighting artificially lit, I imagine Frl. Kost to be wearing dark, silk or lacey nightwear. She will be trying to entice Bobby, so I imagine that she wants to look as if she is very available. In terms of hair and make-up, I would expect the make-up to be darker and more mysterious, being set at night. The shadows are really emphasised to suggest the sneaky behaviour. I would also imagine her to have red lips, with red being a representative of how this behaviour has negetaive reprecutions. Also, red is supposed to attract men and is often associated with being a symbolism of sex. Frl. Kost’s hair would be looser and dishevelled to suggest their fooling around.

Viewed 20.10.14 [online image] Available at: http://www.thelingerieaddict.com/2013/05/great-gatsby-fever-20-pieces-of-vintage-1920s-lingerie.html

Here are some images I have found that reflect the darker, lustful make-up to portray this setting:

Viewed 20.10.14 [online image] Available at: http://uk.pinterest.com/pin/477240891737020558/

This image came to my attention due to the expression and veil, alongside with the dark make-up. The veil symbolises secretiveness and possibly hiding a secret. This ties in nicely with the idea of the affair.

Viewed 20.10.14 [online image] Available at: http://www.kandeej.com/2010_10_01_archive.html

This image also incorporates sheer material, like the veil in the previous image. The eye makeup really caught my attention in this image. The woman looks mysterious yet confident, which I feel perfectly depicts Frl. Kost as a character. She is a sexually confident woman.

I also searched contemporary images. These images highlight the 1920's makeup in mysterious and darkened ways:

Viewed 20.10.14 [online image] Available at:  http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/originals/f1/2c/5a/f12c5a6c854d4ab2c81a32eaec5fe8c8.jpg

Viewed 20.10.14 [online image] Available at: http://fuckyeahmake-up.tumblr.com/page/36

5. Before Bobby entered Frl. Kost’s room, I imagine that she quickly adjusted her clothes, ruffled up her hair and put on some red lipstic. Then dashes back onto her bed and slumps herself in a casual manner, giving the effect that she hasn’t tried at all. During the time spent in the bedroom, it is suggested that there has been playful and flirtacious behaviour going on. It is possible that they would have kissed or even slept together. How I imagine Frl. Kost to look after Bobby’s departure would be a little flushed in the cheeks, her lipstick smudged from kissing, and her hair to be further loosened into a bit of a mess.

Here is an idea of how her lipstick could be after her time spent with Bobby in her room. The lipstick is no longer perfectly applied and transferred across her face from kissing.

Viewed 20.10.14 [online image] Available at: http://www.saatchiart.com/art/Painting-Lovers/388749/222972/view

This image shows a classic 1920s hairstyle which has been manipulated to create a looser and messier look. I imagine her hair to have looked very put together before Bobby’s visit. Now that he has left, her hair is ruffled. This could also symbolise her feelings for him, and the confused emotions she has once he has left the room and returned to another woman. It’s possible that there are reasons for her affair with Bobby. Possibly she has been cheated on before, and this is her cruel way of payback to the man she once loved.

Viewed 20.10.14 [online image] Available at: http://mariannevera.hubpages.com/hub/TO-CUT-OF-NOT-TO-CUT

6. In this scene, Frl. Kost wants Bobby, and she doesn’t consider the consequences of her actions. But she cares enough for Bobby’s sake to keep the affair a secret. She wants to be desired, lusted over and given attention, all by Bobby. Maybe this could be an underlying tragedy of how her prostitution means she can’t have relationships with the men she sleeps with. Maybe this is something that she really desires, but ironically she can’t have Bobby to herself because of Frl. Schroeder.

Frl. Kost gives 'favours' to sailors, and it is possible that she could have been heartbroken by a man who was a sailor. It is important to consider this strange obsession with just men who are sailors, and maybe she feels like she is 'cheating' on this reputation of hers by being with Bobby. I am going to consider this influence with references to sailors possibly with an item of jewellery of hidden tattoos. 

Viewed 20.10.14 [online image] Available at: http://www.strangeoldepictures.com/content/item/152079.html

Viewed 20.10.14 [online image] Available at: https://www.etsy.com/listing/81341799/vintage-style-anchor-locket-necklace

7. There is also the posibility that she wants Bobby to pay her ways living in Frl. Schroeder’s house. It is possible that she is just using him and doesn’t have any fellings or cares for him at all. On the other hand, she may be desperate for some real affection from a man she knows, rather than just another customer. It is important for Frl. Kost to not gain feelings for the men she sleeps with. One on the men she brings back doesn't even speak a word of German, "for the Japanese can speak hardly any German", which creates a communication barrier. This may be symbolic of how she avoids an emotional attachment. 

8. It isn’t obvious why she wants this relationship right now, but I truly believe that she is lonely, miserable, and has a need for the affection Bobby gives her. It is also possible that she loves the thrill of their secretive affair, and has the capability to get a taken man’s attention. Again, this may have a deeper motive behind it. Frl. Kost may need the reassurance that she can still attract men. She is now getting on in her age and may feel less attractive than the younger women, such as Sally Bowels.

This could be reflected in her make-up, being heavily applied to disguise any signs of ageing. The heavy application of unattractive make-up on a larger and ageing prostitute may come across as quite similar make-up to drag. I will consider this when creating Frl. Kost's make-up looks. 1920's were all about very androgynous make-up, and men even cross-dressed. 

Viewed 20.10.14 [online image] Available at: http://uk.pinterest.com/pin/289004501058773050/

9. If Frl. Kost doesn’t continue to receive the desired attention from Bobby, it is likely that she will feel rejected and used by someone who she has potential genuine feelings for. This could damage her sexually confident personality and could damage her possibilities of success in prostitution. Her sexual confidence could be reduced. If this is the case, she will be out of business and will suffer massively financially.

10. TO SEDUCE - 

She wants to seduce Bobby to make him want her. She wants to feel adored and treated like a woman. I imagine her to have the strong sense of sexual confidence as a massive front, so she exaggerates this in her appearance and bubbly, comical personality. Behind this sheild of make-up, she is a woman who has suffered from being used for her body, heartbroken and feels very lonely. I think that Bobby just sees her as a bit of fun and Frl. Kost is putting on the same front. But I believe deep down there are more feelings in this complicated situation, possibly selfish reasons.

To translate this into her look, the make-up needs to be dark and full of mystery to hide the woman beneath. This is to create a mysterious and enticing look, but also a cold and confused person. Her eyes will be heavily made up, and will almost disfigure the natural shape. Her lips will be red, to symbolise the lust of their affair, but also disguise the natural shape. The lips are the most attractive and enticing part of a woman's face, so they must be highlighted. Her hair needs to look like a classically shaped 1920s bob, with feminine feminine waves. The style will be looser and softer to create a higher attraction. From previous research, I discovered that men in the 1920's hated the bob and the empowerment it gave women. Men even divorced their wives because of this new fashion statement. If Frl. Kost plays down this style, Bobby is more likely to feel attracted to her.

11. During this scene, the verbs describe Frl. Kost's characteristics.

“Laugh” – this highlights the fact that she is not a serious character and has a comedic exterior with her mannerisms. Her personality is flirtatious, but her humour is a confident and attractive attribute to men. The fact that she is able to laugh with others and herself suggests that she doesn’t take life too seriously. This may be symbolic of how men see her, that she is not a woman to fall in love with as she is not a permanent or serious woman. 

“Play” – Frl. Kost is a playful character. She brings a bit of mischief to her clients. She is a fun and colourful person to be around. This part of her personality could be portrayed in colourful makeup.

“Eat” – this suggests that she has a fuller figure, possibly with more exaggerated feminine assets. She enjoys the sweeter things to life, "eat chocolates". This also suggests how her personality is very indulgent. Maybe this is a metaphor for her personality and Bobby enjoys Frl. Kost as a guilty pleasure.

MOODBOARD: