We all know that the Studio System of 30s, 40s and 50s Hollywood remade and remoulded their actors and actresses, but what did they look like before they were styled by the star factory? Here are some of my favourite Classic Hollywood actresses before they were famous. Who do you think had the biggest transformation?(…)
Judy Garland is one of those movie stars that everyone is aware of, even if it’s just becaue they watch The Wizard of Oz every Christmas (surely everyone has seen that movie, haven’t they?). Everyone remembers the happy, talented girl on screen, but not so many are aware of the tragedy of her life which was filled(…)
Beauty in the 1940s was a strange mixture of glamour and practicality. Despite harsh rationing and shortages of makeup and soap women were encouraged to look their best to help keep up morale. Here’s my guide to getting your 1940s makeup right. Let me know if you think I’ve missed anything out! Foundation / Base(…)
Some time ago the AFI (that’s the American Film Institute) released a list of the top 50 greatest screen legends from the Classic Hollywood era: 25 male and 25 female stars. I’m not sure exactly what their criteria were for reaching the top spot, but they classified a screen legend as an actor or actress:(…)
Judy Garland is one of those irresistable iconic women who I just can’t leave alone. I keep coming across things in vintage stores and thinking – ooh, that would look fab on Judy so I thought I’d do just *one* more. It more of a grown up outfit than my Tim Burton meets the Wizard(…)
Quite a lot if we believe the Hollywood Studios of the 30s and 40s! There were only a handful of Classic Hollywood stars who kept their own names, including Jane Russell, Ava Gardner, Elizabeth Taylor, Katharine Hepburn and Grace Kelly. The majority of actors and actresses had their identities completely re-written. How many of these 20(…)
It’s strange I suppose, but I never really thought about Judy Garland as being sexy. I think my image of her was fixed at the point she played Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz, especially since I watched that movie so much growing up! These, however are undeniably smouldering publicity photos of her. Doesn’t she(…)
The height of Hollywood stars is something which has always fascinated me. I’m not sure why, but actresses always seem taller than they actually are (perhaps because they’re projected onto an enormous screen!). I had no idea that I was the same height as Marilyn Monroe, or that Veronica Lake was a diminutive 4’11”. Veronica(…)
The movie-going public adored the image of glitz and glamour presented to them by their favorite Hollywood stars in the first half of the 20th Century, but many of them were hiding dark secrets. The use of illegal (and legal) drugs was widespread and several well-known faces dabbled in narcotics. In some cases drug use(…)
I spotted these fabulous ruby slippers and couldn’t resist doing a Dorothy-inspired outfit – it all just turned out a bit Tim Burton in the end… What do you think? Clockwise from top left: Womens Judy Black Strapless Maxi Dress Cath Kidston Red Bow Brooch, Multi-Coloured Leg Avenue – Lace Ankle Socks DereonTNT Pump –(…)
It’s hard to define an iconic dress – it has to be instantly recognizable: Where was it worn and by whom? For example: ‘Remember that Swan dress that Bjork wore to the Oscars?’ A lot of the most famous dresses are widely available as fancy dress outfits too – and for good reason. Doesn’t everyone(…)