For centuries, artists and designers have looked back to Classical Antiquity for inspiration. Many were able to achieve the essence of the Classical period but few could take that inspiration and make something completely new and imaginative. Mariano Fortuny (1871-1949) was a designer who created textiles, garments, furniture, and accessories with a unique Greco-Roman style…
As a society, we tend to think of the 1930s as a forlorn decade. The Great Depression inflicted destitution, distress, and despair upon millions. There was one place, however, that people could go to escape from this harsh reality: the movies. Big musical numbers, handsome leading men, and gorgeous starlets all brought the citizens of…
The film Letty Lynton (1932) would probably be more or less forgotten today were it not for the white organdy (or oragandie) gown worn by the star of the film, Joan Crawford. The film itself got decent reviews but it was the gown that is remembered today. Created by MGM's head costume designer Adrian, the…
The origin of faux-beauty marks lies in the Renaissance, where pale white ladies covered any sort of blemish with a little dark dot. Before this, any blemish on the face was considered the sign of possession by the devil. Women would have to find ways to cover the marks they were born with. However, once the wealthy…
The bullet, or cone bra, is one of the most infamous pieces of underwear. The bullet bra was designed in the late 1930s, but because of WWII, it wasn't really seen until the 1950s. Maidenform was the brand that really catapulted the bra into the mainstream. Their ads featured women looking confident and strong wearing…
Fashion's Flashback 