Audrey Hepburn in “My Fair Lady,” 1964. Cecil Beaton's costumes are better than the film which is too long. I prefer the 1938 non-musical “Pygmalion,” starring Leslie Howard (who co-directed with Anthony Asquith) and Wendy Hiller.
Passover is almost here.
Cleaning, changing dishes, and buying Passover food takes up a huge amount of time and energy. Observant Jews also take the opportunity to purchase new clothing in honor of the holiday in which we celebrate our deliverance from Egyptian bondage.
Orthodox women cover their heads in synagogue—a sign of modesty—thus new hats are popular item.
Hats can be tricky so here are a few simple tips: Hats, like men’s ties, are there to draw attention to your face. Men’s ties move the eye upward to the face. A hat frames the female face, like a work of art. The size and shape of a woman’s face dictates the shape and volume of the hat she chooses. In fact, proportion is probably more important than any other factor. If you’re wearing a hat with a wide brim, that should be the focus of your ensemble. Consider pulling your hair up into a chignon in order to emphasize the architecture of your face. Newsboy caps and berets are best worn with the hair down.
Once upon a time Hollywood traded in glamour. Movie stars, with the aid of their superlative costume designers, understood the importance of hats in a wardrobe.
Here are a few of Seraphic Secret’s favorite stars in looks that are as fresh and exciting today as they were when Hollywood was golden.
Anita Page, 1930's. The entire outfit draws attention to her face. Mussolini was obsessed with Page and proposed marriage. Anita politely declined.
Mary Nolan, 1920's wears a cloche with a cutely upturned brim. Nolan, born dirt-poor in Kentucky, was one of the most self-destructive actresses in Hollywood history. She ended up a suicide via an overdose of narcotics in 1948, age of 42. Her very best performance is opposite Lon Chaney in the silent classic “West of Zanzibar,” 1928, in which she gives a heartbreaking performance as an alcoholic.
Some hats are best when worn at a tilt and Miriam Hopkins knows just how much tilt is enough. Hopkins was a fine actress, good in comedy and drama, but she was famously temperamental. When Hopkins costarred with another diva, Bette Davis, in “The Old Maid,” 1939, their poisonous rivalry became legendary.
The tilt also works for Irene Dunne, a brilliant comedienne. Dunne was also a pious Catholic whose career was scandal free. Her Cossack inspired hat and politically incorrect leopard skin outfit were designed by Kalloch and Edward Stevenson for “The Joy of Living,” 1938.
Bette Davis and William Powell look ready for Passover in their elegant and timeless outfits from “Fashions of 1934,” which is about, duh, the fashion industry. Throughout the film both Davis and Powell look like they have no idea how they ended up in this turkey.
Grace Kelly was probably the most glamorous star of the 1950's. Here, cozy in a very unPC fur coat and a charmingly flowered hat, she continues to inspire fashion superlatives.
Okay, this might not be the best look for synagogue or church but it's a fantastic lid for a to-the-death sword fight. Chinese actress Ziyi Zhang plays Mei, a blind dancer in “House of Flying Daggers.” 2004. When not dancing, Mei slices and dices the bad guys.
Karen and I wish all our friends and relatives a lovely and fashionable Shabbat.
This weekend, to counter the economic boycott’s against Israel, please Buy Israeli Goods and shop for Israel.
Ariel Chaim Avrech, ZT'L, May His Righteous Memory be a Blessing.
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I often wear berets, newsboy’s caps and tembel hats-you know what they are-with my hair UP. I have never worn a pillbox.
CORRECTION! DO NOT DELETE!
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I love those hats!
Chag Kasher vSameach
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Mary Nolan is a potentially fascinating figure. Much to know, and you I hope, are the guy to report it. Please examine her life in detail. And, I will look forward to reading.
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Dunne was also a pious Catholic whose career was scandal free.
Shouldn’t anyone living in Hollywood that can be accurately described by that sentence automatically be elevated to sainthood? I mean, guys like Thomas More or Thomas Becket never had to live surrounded by such temptations as a movie star.
The Ascot scene in MFL has enough hats to crown it the champ. If they were to remake the movie today they would probably have everyone wear baseball caps and claim they were being edgy.
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Johnny:
I know a few Catholics in Hollywood, but they keep their piety a deep secret for fear of losing work. Yes, Hollywood liberals are that bigoted.
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Johhny:
Irene Dunne’s time was long ago. I don’t like saying, writing or thinking that people were different then, but I believe that they were.
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Lovely hats! Grace Kelly was so naturally beautiful….refreshing to see, in these days of botox, fillers, and trout-pouts.
All the best.
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Grace Kelly could look good wearing a potato sack. And the sack would never look better than draped across her frame.
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Franny:
Glad you like the hats. Grace was also a lovely woman and a loyal friend. When the Jewish boyfriend of her younger years went to Israel to give acting classes, Grace donated a nice sum to the acting group.
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