Fashion In Film Friday - The Notorious Bettie Page

You can't stake claim to having knowledge of all things vintage without knowing who Bettie Page was.  Page, born in Nashville in 1923, became infamous in the 50's for her scandalous fetish modeling photos that catapulted her into pin-up queen status. She was even one of the first Playboy playmates to grace the centerfold spot of Hugh Hefner's now popular mag.  Her career was short lived as she retired in 1959 turning to her spirituality and even working with evangelist Billy Graham.  

In 2005, a movie was released titled, 'The Notorious Bettie Page' which was in part biographical, starring Gretchen Mol as the vintage pop culture icon.  The film starts at the early beginnings of Page's life when she was a young woman chronicling her life that begin with sexual abuse in her childhood, a failed wartime marriage and a gang rape in her early 20's.  It also gives the intricate details into how she became an unconventional model at a time when it was beyond taboo.  Bettie's signature black hair styled with the full bangs became her trademark and a much sought after hairstyle that is even being seen in current day trends with stars such as Katy Perry, Petra Nemcova & Beyonce, opting for the retro do.

Bettie Page was the ultimate style icon who made pointy bras the 'in thing' as well as pointy toed stilettos.  She taught women to embrace their sense of sexuality with a no holds barred approach to wearing corsets and thigh high hose.  There was definitely no shame in her game and she made no excuses for herself.  The woman reeked 'confidence' in spite of her troubled past.  

Bettie Page fashion is alive and well amongst the rockabilly community and die hard fans & Las Vegas which hosts the annual rockabilly event 'Viva Las Vegas' is even home to the Bettie Page Store that carries nothing but vintage inspired designs made famous by the legend.  You can even purchase online at www.bettiepageclothing.com

In 2003, the elderly pin up maven made an appearance at Playboy's 50th Anniversary party as seen here along with the late Anna Nicole Smith & Pam Anderson.  In 2008 at the age of 85, Bettie Page passed away due to complications from pneumonia preceded by a heart attack that had left her in a coma.

In 1998, she agreed to an interview with Playboy Magazine and was quoted as saying in reference to her early career... "I never thought it was shameful.  I felt normal.  It's just that it was much better than pounding a typewriter eight hours a day, which gets monotonous."

                                        "A humble headstone"


pics: hollywoodgravehunter.com,cmgworldwide.com,ablogaboutthings.com,moviesonline.ca,bohemea.tumblr.com,cinemaretro.com, prettyportabello.blogspot.com   

Vintage Beach Beauty Rewind

Back in the 1950's you would not be seeing a thong bikini clad vixen on the beach and if you did she was more than likely going to be arrested for indecent exposure.  You would however see women wearing what was more of a 'bathing dress' than a 'bathing suit' & they would accessorize it appropriately with a stylish cover up, full face make up and perfectly coiffed hair.  Guess they didn't do much swimming?! 

Of course, less was consider more in those days in regards to 'baring skin' &   surprisingly we are in the midst of a vintage beach beauty rewind as we are seeing a resurgence of that modest 50's style for Summer 2011. Designer Michael Kors suits are making big waves especially when accessorized with chic shades and wide brimmed hats.

I particularly love designer Betsey Johnson's fun & flirty take on this retro swimwear style that makes you think 'pin up' girl sexy!

It's no mystery that we live in a society that leaves 'little to the imagination' in regards to pretty much anything these days so what's wrong with backing it up a little bit and attempting to revive the jive of the simpler days?




pics: hubpages.com , o.tqn.com , thefashionpolice.net , thisnext.com , theorchidboutique.com

Howard Hughes....Bra Designer?

The recent passing of film and pin up sex symbol icon of the 50’s Jane Russell, reminded me of just how influencial she was on the fashion front in regards to what women wore underneath their clothes (i.e. brassieres).

Jane was discovered by the late Howard Hughes who was an aviator, industrialist, engineer, who also had film director and producer added to his credentials.  Jane was his dentists receptionist and he took her on as the lead in his 1941 movie ‘The Outlaw’ which ended up being known as his epic story of cleavage in the old West. 

 

The movie wasn’t released until 1945 but only to a select audience because it couldn’t pass the MPAA (Motion Picture Association of America’s) ‘code’ which was written to enforce morality in Hollywood movies.  Given the movies made these days, I’m pretty sure that code has long been removed eh?

The movie ‘The Outlaw’ was stated to have starred Russell’s breasts and although there was no rule against cleavage cited, approval was denied and the movie was put on hold.  There was just too much jiggling and bouncing going on!

Earlier bra designs didn't have much body or form to them so in 1943, Hughes in an effort to ensue a more modest appeal then decided that he was going to design a seamless underwire brassiere which ended up being a breakthrough in the science of bra designing.  It was by all means the first practical ‘lift and separate push up bra’.  He designed this ‘uncomfortable contraption’ as quoted by Russell in an effort to eliminate unsightly visible support lines.  

The actual ‘general release’ of the movie ‘The Outlaw’ didn’t occur until 1946 and unbeknown to Howard Huges, Jane actually ended up wearing her own bra on the film set with the straps pulled down! Nonetheless, Howard's efforts were not in vain being that he set the foreground for women everywhere and years later Jane even went on to be the spokeswoman for the Playtex 'Cross-Your-Heart Bras' for full figured women. 

source: timesonline nifty fifties  flickriver.com never plead guilty