I forgot they were all Paramount ladies and that Travis Banton was already there at the time. How amazing to have designers of such talent designing for YOU!
Wow!!! Lucille Ball looks FABULOUS in pink. Need to see that film. I'd never heard of it.
That Claudette Colbert hooded gown is on my forever mood board. Lana's look is perfection — you are right, one of the all-time best costumes. Need to read more about the life and career of Irene! Thank you for spotlighting her work!!
How lovely is this tribute! You are so right, Lana Turner’s entrance in Postman is iconic. I have always felt so sad at her untimely passing. Judy Garland never looked more beautiful than in Meet Me in St. Louis in that stunning gown.
It gets eye-rolled mostly by noir aficionados who feel it sanitized Cain and cheated on the ending, plus was just too MGM-glossy. They are, of course, wrong. :)
Ha...I'm usually one of those who thinks a lot of films aren't noirs (in the online class I'm taking I'm "that guy") but I definitely recognize it as a noir. It's a bit glossy I suppose, but I don't think that's a big strike - and you almost have to sanitize it given when it was made (it's better than the remake for sure...which isn't as sanitized)
Dear Self-Styled Siren, When you do write it’s always a gem! The photos and commentary by you here are wonderful! I am awestruck to fully appreciate Irene and want to revisit the films she worked in. (What a sad end to her life!)
They were all Paramount ladies, so they mostly wore Travis Banton on screen. Off, they could wear what they liked, but Banton was known to dress them for certain occasions in real life too. Swanson in particular adored fashion and I have read of her wearing Chanel, Vionnet, and other European designers.
I forgot they were all Paramount ladies and that Travis Banton was already there at the time. How amazing to have designers of such talent designing for YOU!
Wow!!! Lucille Ball looks FABULOUS in pink. Need to see that film. I'd never heard of it.
That Claudette Colbert hooded gown is on my forever mood board. Lana's look is perfection — you are right, one of the all-time best costumes. Need to read more about the life and career of Irene! Thank you for spotlighting her work!!
These were wonderful. I've always been drawn to the fashions from the 30's and 40's so I really enjoyed this piece. She was a tremendous talent.
What great choices! Thanks for spotlighting Irene, about whom I knew nothing!! Please, Siren, some more fashion spotlights like this!
How lovely is this tribute! You are so right, Lana Turner’s entrance in Postman is iconic. I have always felt so sad at her untimely passing. Judy Garland never looked more beautiful than in Meet Me in St. Louis in that stunning gown.
Great tribute....I know so little about costuming (Edith Head is the only one I can typically name).
Question about POSTMAN....do some people eye roll it? I think it's marvelous
It gets eye-rolled mostly by noir aficionados who feel it sanitized Cain and cheated on the ending, plus was just too MGM-glossy. They are, of course, wrong. :)
Ha...I'm usually one of those who thinks a lot of films aren't noirs (in the online class I'm taking I'm "that guy") but I definitely recognize it as a noir. It's a bit glossy I suppose, but I don't think that's a big strike - and you almost have to sanitize it given when it was made (it's better than the remake for sure...which isn't as sanitized)
We are in complete accord, Mr. Carter.
Dear Self-Styled Siren, When you do write it’s always a gem! The photos and commentary by you here are wonderful! I am awestruck to fully appreciate Irene and want to revisit the films she worked in. (What a sad end to her life!)
Unfortunately, most of Irene's designs are far better than the pictures they're featured in.
Afterthoughts...do you know if Gloria Swanson, Pola Negri, Clara Bow or Louise Brooks wore outfits by a particular designer?
They were all Paramount ladies, so they mostly wore Travis Banton on screen. Off, they could wear what they liked, but Banton was known to dress them for certain occasions in real life too. Swanson in particular adored fashion and I have read of her wearing Chanel, Vionnet, and other European designers.