Day 2 of our countdown to the academy awards and this particular decade has so many cultural and fashion icons.  Narrowing it down is the difficult part! The sublime to the extreme, the 30s and 40s had some powerful fashion influences that are still prevalent today!

             ( Two woman, Bette Davis and Louise Rainer won academy awards in the last decade, so you won't see their photos here.)

The Actresses

                                

YEAR	BEST PICTURE	BEST ACTRESS	FOR HER ROLE IN
1937	THE LIFE OF EMILE ZOLA	Louise Rainer	The Good Earth
1938	YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU	Bette Davis	Jezebel
1939	GONE WITH THE WIND	Vivien Leigh	Gone With The Wind
1940	REBECCA	Ginger Rogers	Kitty Foyle
1941	HOW GREEN WAS MY VALLEY	Joan Fontaine	Suspicion
1942	MRS. MINIVER	Greer Garson	Mrs. Miniver
1943	CASABLANCA	Jennifer Jones	The Song of Bernadette
1944	GOING MY WAY	Ingrid Bergman	Gaslight
1945	THE LOST WEEKEND	Joan Crawford	Mildred Pierce
1946	THE BEST YEARS OF OUR LIVES	Olivia De Havilland	To Each His Own
1947	GENTLEMAN'S AGREEMENT	Loretta Young	The Farmer's Daughter

The Fashion Icons

JOAN
CRAWFORD

I'm not sure if it's the eyebrows, the Gilbert Adrian designs she wore so well,
or her notorious reputation, but Joan Crawford is an undeniable fashion force
who demands our attention with her striking presence.

 

 

VIVIEN
LEIGH


Unlike her complicated, very tragic life, Vivien Leigh's wardrobe was based on elegant simplicity.
In contrast to the roles she played, she wore chic, understated clothing  with strong sophistication.
I LOVE the belt in the second photo!





INGRID
BERGMAN

Another understated fashion icon with incredible style that appears effortless. The Casablanca style seemed to fit her naturally.



 

 
OLIVIA
DE HAVILLAND

For many people, it is hard to see Olivia De Havilland beyond the character of Melanie Wilkes.
The vivacious beauty had another side that was nothing less than Hollywood glamor girl.



 

GINGER
ROGERS

She could dance, she could act, and she knew how to make a dress move! I recently sold a dress that belonged to Ginger Rogers and I loved imagining her wearing it and sliding across those shiny dance floors with Fred.  I was a little sad to see it go!



 

JOAN
FONTAINE

Joan Fontaine was the younger sister of Olivia De Havilland and won an Oscar for Suspicion in 1941, 
the same year her sister was nominated in the same category for Hold Back The Dawn.


Rebecca 1940


GREER
GARSON

   LORETTA
YOUNG



BETTE
DAVIS

THE COSTUME EPICS

Gone With The Wind
If there had been an Academy Award for Best Costume design in 1939,
it most certainly would have been given to Walter Plunkett for his contributions to Gone With The Wind.  I know, you've seen the costumes a million times, but a tribute to the 30's wouldn't be complete without them!

 

It was Katharine Hepburn, one of the actresses hoping to land the role of Scarlett, who loaned the book Gone With The Wind to Walter Plunkett.  After reading it, Mr. Plunkett immediately called his agents and requested they contact Mr. Selznick. Walter Plunkett was already well known to David Selznick for the work he did on Little Women, so he was hired on the spot. There is a FABULOUS exhibit at the University of Texas Austin on Walter Plunkett. You can read about the unconventional hiring process the costume designers had to go through, the notes about the time period the costumers used, letters to and from Mr. Plunkett and learn all about the process for creating costumes for this epic film.

 

The Wizard of Oz

 

THE DESIGNERS:

GILBERT ADRIAN

I know I mentioned Gilbert Adrian on Day 1, but the designer who brought us Glinda's pink dress and the ruby slippers deserves two days of recognition!



 "Few people in an audience watching a great screen production realize the importance of any gown worn by the feminine star...
the fact that it was definitely planned to mirror some definite mood, to be as much a part of the play as the lines or the scenery, seldom occurs to them." Gilbert Adrian

Gilbert Adrian created the1940s Shoulder pads we all know so well.
You can read more about Gilbert Adrian at the Dress featured designer section.
You can also read about Adrian at the FIDM Museum.
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Philadelphia (gowns)

HOWARD GREER



Bringing up Baby 1938 (Gowns)

 

Carefree 1938 (Gowns Miss Rogers) and Bringing up Baby


For Marlene Dietrich by Howard Greer FIDM Museum

THE MOVIES