To Powder Your Nose

May I direct you to one of my favorite sites, It'll Take The Snap Out Of Your Garters! Amy Jeanne did an amazing job compiling images of lovlies making themselves up~ heaven.

Satin Shoes

I adore satin shoes! They add glamour to any ensemble, be it a bathing suit, chic dress or nothing at all.

Betty Grable chooses satin pumps with her swimwear for the most famous pinup in history.

Elizabeth Taylor has always exuded luxury, so it's no wonder she wears these satin slides with flower appliques.

Joan Crawford poses for an early film still in strappy satin heels and marabou finery.

Jean Harlow pairs her satin shoes with a ravishing ballerina inspired gown.

Gloria Swanson and Marion Davies party the night away in their satin shoes, Charlie Chaplin smiles in approval.

"It" girl Clara Bow shows us that sporting can be sexy with satin pumps and satin ribbons.

Rita Hayworth smolders in satin platforms.

Mae West doing what she does best in her satin shoes~ alluring.

Silent film's first comedienne, Mable Normand dines in satin shoes with Fatty Arbuckle.

Louise Brooks wears satin shoes to highlight her dancer's frame.

Spotted

Veronica Lake peeking out at passersby along Beverly Blvd. Who would know it was her if it wasn't for that trademark hairstyle?

Edith Head Fashion Show

Last month I was asked to do makeup for an Edith Head fashion show that was part of the LA Conservancy's Last Remaining Seats Film Series. Edith Head was one of the most talented, well known and influential designers of Hollywood's Golden Era and was responsible for creating glamorous and decadent costumes. The film partnered with the fashion show was Roman Holiday (1953) in which she won her fifth of eight Academy Awards. This was held at the gorgeous Los Angeles Theatre where collector Greg Schreiner of Hollywood Revisited was gracious enough to showcase a few of his Hollywood treasures~ some of Edith's most memorable designs. I must tell you that when I saw the gowns prior to the show, I almost died! They are spectacular!! It's one thing to see them on screen, but another to see them in person, up close. I didn't dare touch them except for the Bette Davis dress worn in All About Eve (1950). The colors, fabrics and workmanship are impeccable. If you ever get a chance to attend one of Greg's reviews, it's a must for the costumes alone! He states that we "will never see an era like this again" and that's why it's so important to bring these costumes back to life for all to enjoy once more.

There were 11 models but because most of them are professional retro and pinup models and dolled themselves up, I was only able to get my hands on Karie, Joya and Mather. Every single one of the ladies were lovely and charming~ Ginger, Mather, Sherri, Jessica, Marsha, Angelique, Karie, Sharlene, Joya, Anna Marie and Heidi. Maxwell DeMille produced the show and did an amazing job, Christine Hensley did a fabulous job on hair and Greg Schreiner was the Master of Ceremonies who was dressed in Bob Hope's gold mariachi costume from Here Come the Girls (1953). Brilliant! Thanks to all of you!

First picture left to right:
Sharlene in Debbie Reynold's gown from Pleasure of His Company (1961)
Ginger in Bette Davis' gown from All About Eve (1950)
Karie in Joanne Woodward's gown from New Kind of Love (1963)
Marsha in Jane Wyman's gown from Lucy Gallant (1955)
Maxwell DeMille
Angelique in Hedy Lamarr's gown from My Favorite Spy (1951)
Jessica in Ginger Rogers' gown from Lady in the Dark (1944)
Heidi in Shirley MacLaine's gown from What a Way to Go (1964)
Mather in Jill Clayburgh's gown from Gable & Lombard (1976)
Joya in Kim Novak's gown from Vertigo (1958)
Missing from the first picture:
Greg in Bob Hope's costume from Here Come the Girls (1953)
Sherri in Jill Clayburgh's gown from Gable & Lombard (1976) (red dress)
Anna Marie in Shirley MacLaine's gown from What a Way to Go (1964) (yellow & blue dress)

http://www.hollywoodrevisited.com/
http://www.laconservancy.org/remaining/index.php4
http://www.maxwelldemille.com/
http://www.losangelestheatre.com/
vintagehair@hotmail.com
http://www.myspace.com/gingerpage
http://www.myspace.com/matherlouth
http://www.myspace.com/sugarkiper
http://www.angeliquehennessy.com/
http://www.heidivanhorne.com/

Around Town

Today, I ran into a gal at the bank who was wearing a lovely vintage inspired outfit. I thought her look was a bit 40's and somehow convinced her to allow me to photograph it for my blog! I was so pleased to see this kind of dressing while out and about and am hoping to capture some more!

Her blouse was sheer ivory with a lace mock collar and pearlized buttons, and her matching linen vest and pencil skirt were chocolate brown. The vest had a cutaway neckline and was cinched at the waist with a belt, while her knee length skirt had ruffles on the sides. She completed her look with sheer ivory stockings and the cutest 40's style ankle strap, peep toe pumps. The shoes were ivory but the trim and flowers were tan. She kept it a bit modern by unbuttoning the collar and leaving the blouse untucked, but nevertheless a cute 40's style!

Joan Crawford

Joan Crawford is my absolute favorite~ I prefer early 30's Joan. Flawless! Her brows are severely arched and thinned out and she was going through her spidery mascara phase. This was also after she was advised to drop weight to thin out her face. By doing so, it emphasized her delicate and sculpted bone structure and huge, round eyes. If you ever notice in early photos, she usually posed with her head tilted down to minimize her lower face and draw attention to them. Lips were shaped, but a few years away from the 'smear'~ in which Max Factor ran a smear of lipstick over her top and bottom lips which then became her trademark. Here are some publicity photos for Letty Lynton (1932) shot by George Hurrell, costumes by Adrian. These were taken on the set of Grand Hotel (1932)

Three Stooges

Disorder in the Court (1936) Curly on the stand is one of my favorite parts; he talked that way in real life too! I love Gail's dress with the ruffles on the collar. She wears a pretty hat and wrist length gloves~ divine! Of course she must unzip her outfit to dance, revealing a low cut mini jumper with boy cut bottoms. This is one of the Stooges' best shorts. If you laugh out loud during any part of this, I want to be your friend.

Hollywood Blvd.

On Hollywood Blvd. between Las Palmas and Cahuenga, stars of the past come out everynight to overlook the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Metal doors come down over storefronts at closing time and each one reveals a mural of an entertainer from 20's-50's. I love driving by and seeing them and wonder if anyone else notices them too... maybe they have noticed but have no idea who they are. How sad! These stars were fuel for many a dream and should not be taken for granted. Hopefully they will remain for a long time to inspire and remind us what was once great about Hollywood during this glorious era!

John Barrymore, Douglas Fairbanks Jr, Betty Grable, Jimmy Dorsey, Myrna Loy, Edgar Bergen, Bing Crosby, Vivien Leigh, Boris Karloff, Errol Flynn, George Burns & Gracie Allen, Lucille Ball, Cesar Romero, Peter Lorre, Angela Lansbury, Orson Welles, James Cagney, Buster Keaton, Johnny Weissmuller & Maureen O'Sullivan, Gene Autry, Alfred Hitchcock, Bob Hope, Marlene Dietrich, Abbott & Costello