1930's Fashion & Icons

My initial idea for Mrs. Laderman is to have her styled around 1930's glamour, this is something that will appeal to the older demographic as it is very classic and very sexy and will fit perfectly with the femme fatale look that I want to give her. 

The reason that I have chosen the 1930's is because during this era the curves of the female form were heavily played upon, curves were celebrated and dresses were very feminine and romantic and flattered the natural waistline, hemlines were around ankle or shin length so were quite a contrast to the boxy short dresses of the 1920's. Silk was extremely glamorous so this could only be bought by the extremely affluent. 

• The bias cut was popularised by Madame Vionnet which was a figure flattering cut. 
• Day looks were lightweight and floaty, and sometimes included medium florals or art deco inspired geometric prints. 
• For an evening women wore elegant backless numbers in velvets and body clinging satin. This was often worn by Jean Harlow, Carole Lombard and Ginger Rogers. 

Actresses on leaning boards. 

One of the most memorable fashion moments of the thirties was Joan Crawford in the movie Letty Lynton (1932) women aspired to have a dress like the one she wore, and also the backless charmeuse gown that she wore in Dinner at Eight (1933) was highly popular, but what people didn't know is that although the dresses looked stunning, they were not very practical, there was little concern for comfort and actresses could not sit, so inbetween takes they had to lean on leaning boards as to not crease the fabrics of the gowns. Hollywood was very aware of the influence it had over women and it exploited this, they created films to attract female audiences by using romantic plots and extravagant fashions and looks and worked like high end fashion magazines and instructed women on the latest fashion trends.

Individual actresses became associated with different clothes or hairstyles and became their trademark looks, in the early 1930's Jean Harlow was known for her platinum blonde hair which was very light an almost white blonde in colour. Veronica Lake launched the trend of wearing her hair over one eye and Dorothy Lamour popularised the one piece wrap around garment which was worn as a skirt or dress, these three were seen as the sultry sex symbols but there was also the contrast of Shirley Temple who personified innocence and sweetness and children were often styled their look. Katherine Hepburn, Greta Gabo and Marlene Dietrich were all strong willed personalities and often wore trousers when women were expected to be feminine.

1930's Glamour Mood Board

How this relates to my character...

This glamourous look relates to my character as this is how I am going to style her and also the interior of the hotel, this look is great as is is outrageously feminine and powerful and is also mysterious, I think the soft fabrics really juxtapose her evil personality and will create a really interesting character.

Unknown. (2005). 1930s Fashion Guide. Available: http://www.bluevelvetvintage.com/1930-s-Fashion-Guide-30s-Old-Hollywood-Glamour-Fashion-Tips.html. Last accessed 2nd April 2015.

Lane, L. (2013). HOW HOLLYWOOD INFLUENCED THE 1930S FASHION..Available: http://misslindsaylane.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/how-hollywood-inspired-1930s-fashion.html. Last accessed 2nd April 2015.

Unknown. (2016). HOLLYWOOD INFLUENCES FASHION. Available: http://www.fashionencyclopedia.com/fashion_costume_culture/Modern-World-1930-1945/Hollywood-Influences-Fashion.html. Last accessed 2nd April 2015.