Hedda Hopper displays a small selection of her famous hat collection, 1952.
There was a time when wearing a hat was de rigueur. Fine millinery was considered a sign of good taste, good breeding and good fashion.
Hollywood actresses were rarely seen in public without hat, gloves and a designer outfit. Those were the days when Hollywood insisted on projecting style and glamour. Of course, with the destruction of the studio system by the federal government and the advent of television, stars abandoned style and rapidly devolved into celebrities.
Here’s a reminder of classic Hollywood glamour featuring stars in their hats.
Lilyan Tashman, 1930's.
Miriam Hopkins, 1930's.
Marlene Dietrich in Paris, 1935.
Joan Bennett, 1930's.
Vivien Leigh, 1935.
Ava Gardner, 1940's.
Grace Kelly, 1950's.
Audrey Hepburn, 1950's.
Karen and I wish all our friends and relatives an inspirational and glamorous Shabbat.
Ariel Chaim Avrech, ZT'L, May His Righteous Memory be a Blessing.
14 Comments
Ava, as usual, is rocking it out.
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I love those hats. Recently I’ve gone back to scarves, but long ones wrapped like turbans.
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My Paternal Grandmother worked in a Millinery shop in Oklahoma. Have a couple of pics of her in hats.
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Jackie:
Too bad you don’t have the hats to wear. Imagine the fun.
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One of them was huge it went almost out to her shoulders.
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It’s interesting, to me anyway, that hats seemed to have moved from covering the head (particularly in the 1930′s photos above) to sitting atop the head and serving only as a fashion accessory as noted in the Grace Kelly and Audrey Hepburn photos in the 1950′s.
Seen anyone dressed like these women under any streetlights lately?
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Prophet Joe:
Interesting observation about the hats moving from fashion items that are also utilitarian. I’ll keep an eye out for more pictures that either confirm or deny your notion.
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<em>Of course, with the destruction of the studio system by the federal government</em>
Now that would make a great subject for a piece on BH. If you can have monopolies like the NFL, MLB or the NBA, why not a movie studio with a stable of stars on contract?
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Yes, I wonder why the Fed govt thought this system so bad? The glamour and elegance left with the star system, along sith any mystery….
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K, Bill:
The Fed got involved because the studios were vertically structured which means they controlled production and distribution through the movie theaters they owned. This was, according to the government, a monoply. Which it was. But the unintended consequences were fatal to the studios.
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Then the difference from the sport teams is that they don’t control the distribution (TV contracts). I look back on the “Golden Age” of Hollywood – and there was a certain magic with each of the studios – all having their own personalities (though their strong leaders).
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Would my daughter make it in Hollywood with this hat that we found and bought for her last night. (it was in the men’s section of the department store– pink hat and all!) Adina likes to be a trend-setter!
http://www.merchandisingplaza.co.uk/The-Muppets/MUPPETS-Animal-Winter-Beanie-Laplander-Costume-Hat-46185
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Pearl:
Awesome hat. Adina is already my fashion hero! Have a great Shabbos.
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Pearl – I am trying to envision Audrey in that hat!
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