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.