Chapter 4

50's

Perhaps the most flattering decade for women. The lines are close to the body, giving emphasis to the most beautiful parts of a female body, chest, waist and hips. Apart from haute couture creations, the daily outfit is becoming more comfortable and easy. Skirt's length starts below the knee and ends in the middle of the shank. The most famous colours for this decade are: pastels, black & white, polka dots and floral. In 1957, fashion has a new line, famous as "bag" which Yves Saint Laurent launches when he was working for Dior. Shoulders are loose, dominated the "bateau" neckline which is combined with weird geometric hats. In 1958, the line changed again, and the figure is trapezium. The sleeves are up to the elbow and the shoulders are baggy. The stiletto heel is established and Dupont discovers the fabric Lycra, making the women's underwear evolution. 

Here in Greece, Dimis Kritsas opens his studio giving a touch of French elegance (he had studied fashion in Paris) and later came to the light Giannis Tsopanellis and Filimonas.   

LOOKS

Dresses in "A" line, strapless for evening looks, klos skirts, sleeveless sweaters suited with jackets in the same colour. Dresses which have the shirts' line, coats with belts and also shorts. 

ACCESSORIES

Big or small chic bags, scarves on the head, necklaces made by pearls and "butterfly" sunglasses. The gloves are a necessary accessory which suited with the shoes and the dresses or suits for a very strict outfit. Belts at the waist, chic high-heel sandals or spiky high-heels. Velvet hats.

BEAUTY

MAKE-UP. Intense eyebrows in arc shape, eye-liner and mascara. The lipsticks are in red and orange colour. The make-up is in natural colour and the rouge is in light pink. Purple mascara, blue eye-liner and ice blue/silver or green eye shadow were some of the combinations that were existed.

HAIR

Women change their hair colour and the most famous tone is blonde. The hairdos were in vague, in "banana" bun or in chignon bun on the top of the head.

DESIGNERS

Hubert de Givenchy, Louis Féraud, Valentino.

IDOLS

Liz Taylor, Marilyn Monroe, Sophia Loren, Gina Lollobrigida, Anita Ekberg, Grace Kelly, Brigitte Bardot, Evita, Audrey Hepburn, Kim Novak, Natalie Wood, Έλλη Λαμπέτη, Μελίνα Μερκούρη.

Brigitte Bardot

Marilyn Monroe

(1926-1962)

Elizabeth Taylor

(1932-2011)

Melina Merkouri

(1920-1994)

PS

1) I want to tell you that this is my favourite decade. Apart from the clothes which were amazing with gorgeous details, the women who became famous in this decade were the most beautiful, chic, stylish, increadible and unique in personality women that I know!  I wish I had the chance to live just a little the way these women lived and feel the sense of their elegance. I believe that no one can replace these amazing women...never!!

2) I'm so sorry for choosing only 4 of these perfect women to my post...they are too many and it was really difficult to include all of them in this post. Maybe, one day I will make a post only for these women, giving you more details from their life. 

Love u 

xxx

 

Jewels...in first row

 

Chapter 3

40's

The World War II puts the fashion in a second thought. The raw materials are difficult to be found because they are used as the war's equipment. The cost of the fabrics is really high, and rayon appears as a more affordable idea. Fashion takes its military and strictly look. The shoulders are accented with wadding, not only in suits but also in dresses. All these until 1947, when Christian Dior makes his revolution and creates the New Look. The basic silhouette, known as Line A, is conical, giving emphasize in the waist, with natural shoulders, while skirt's length starts from the middle of the knee. The fabrics that are used are taffeta, velvet, satin and muslin. For first time came to light the patterns and the prêt-à-porter. 

LOOKS

The klos skirts with length some inches above the knee. There is the domination of small prints and the black-white. Dresses that are fastened in the waist, dresses with accented waist and paddings in the shoulders. Blouses that have the shirts' shape, androgynous suits, tight and straight skirt which are suited with tiny sweaters. 

ACCESSORIES

Big hats, hats with voile made by nets or laces and berets. Gloves and bags that are hanging from the shoulders. Shoes that are sandals with thick heels or double soles that worn with short socks. Pins are also in fashion. 

BEAUTY

MAKE-UP. The eyebrows are natural but also accented, light mascara, lip pencil and lips in soft pink shades. In addition, women painted their legs just to give the sence that they were wearing tights and also they painted the seams at the back of their legs with a black pencil. 

HAIR

Hair's lenght is up to shoulders, with wavy shape or in chignon bun. 

DESIGNERS

Cristobal Balenciaga, Pierre Balmain, Jacques Fath, Jean Desses.

  

IDOLS

Rita Hayworth, Ingrid Bergman, Bette Davis, Veronika Lake, Lana Turner, Judy Garland, Lauren Bacall, Ava Gardner.

  Veronica Lake (1922-1973) 

  

Some of her films: Soronity House (1939-her first film), Young As You Feel (1940), I Wanted Wings (1941), Hold That Blonde (1945), Flesh Feast (1970-her last one).  ....etc

  Rita Hayworth (Margarita Carmen Cansino-her real name) 

(1918-1987)

Some of her films: Dante's Inferno (1935-her first film as Cansino), Charlie Chan in Egypt (1935), Rebellion (1936), Trouble in Texas (1937)... You'll Never Get Rich (1941-her first film as Hayworth), Show Business at War (1943), Gilda (1946), The Wrath of Gold (1972-her last one).  .....etc

Navajo style

 

I don't know what do you think about this new trend but for me, is definitely one that I love! I always liked the way of how Indians live and how is their culture, so the only thing that I know is that I could live like these indigenous people ..Their way of living is magic and interesting. Anyway, wearing some clothes of this style I can believe that I am Pocahontas..ok don't laugh. Everybody is looking for Neverland...in different ways.

Chapter 2

30's

 

Fashion meets cinema and Hollywood and, as a result, it creates symbols of elegance while women want to be constantly brilliant like their favourite actresses. The silhouette is spindly, with accented waist and intense shoulder. The dresses are cut obliquely (so-called "bias-cut"), covering the shank but leaving all the back, uncovered. Hats and gloves are essential pieces of the female wardrobe. The pants and shorts became acceptable as beachwear. In 1933, Hermès, launched its first silk scarf. The tan skin became a mania, the swimsuit with an open back is famous and the sunglasses are the ultimate accessory. The domination of white colour and satin fabric, is an example of this season. 

LOOKS

Long dresses are cut obliquely, with uncovered the back part of the body, with square tucks. The neckline is sometimes drapé, sometimes deep V and other times ends with a bow. The blazers are characterized by square lines and details on collars. The suits are mainly with blazers which emphasize the waist and skirts which fit the hips tightly. The coats have fur collars, while the cabardine is coming back again. The shirts have ruffled and inflatable sleeves. The sweaters hug the body and have prints inspired by graphic and ArtDeco. The pants are baggy with buttons on the right and left side, while the shorts are combined with white ankle socks. 

ACCESSORY

Clutch bags or small purses and furry scarves. Klos hats, béret, hats with wide brim and turbans. Gloves, small round sunglasses, pins and a combination of real and faux jewels. High-heels, ballarinas, sandals and for first time, wedges. 

BEAUTY

 

MAKE-UP. Slim eyebrows, faux eyelashes and red nails. Revlon and Germaine Monteil launched the first cosmetics. 

HAIR. Platinum blonde, very short bangs and wavy hair. 

DESIGNERS

Elsa Schiaparelli. Her collection marked the decade. Weird and full of creativity, inspired by Surrealism and Cubism. Salvador Dali is her good friend and together create the famous dress with the lobster. Her hats are shaped shoes, and the buttons shaped animals. Her favourite colour is pink-purple, so-called "shocking", which became the name of a perfume. 

Other designers who influenced the decade are: 

 NINA RICCI, ALIX GRÈS, MAGGY ROUFF, MARCEL ROCHAS, MAINBOCHER, MOLYNEYX

IDOLS 

Greta Garbo, Marlene Dietrich, Mae West, Constance Bennet, Joan Crawford, Wallis Simpson, Vivien Leigh, Ginger Rogers, Jean Harlow, Amelia Earhart, Leni Riefenstahl, Bette Davis, Dolores Del Rio.

 Vivien Leigh (1913-1967)

Starring at: Things are looking up(1934-her first film), Storm in a Teacup(1937), Gone with the wind(1939), The Hamilton Woman(1941), Caesar and Cleopatra(1945), The deep blue sea(1955), Ship of fools(1965-her last film) ....  etc.

 

Second skin