Vintage 365: Dazzling video of a 1932 fashion show featuring the WAMPAS Baby Stars

✯ Day 10 of Vintage 365 ✯

 

There is a number of things to love about this fantastic video clip of a 1930s fashion show that comes via one of Youtube's reigning queens of all things spectacularly vintage, Glamourdaze. First up, there's the sea of elegance that flows through the eveningwear fashions these beauties are sporting, followed by their impeccable 30s hairstyles (oh how I love those tight curls and rippling waves!), their chic make-up that would surely have charmed the fedora off any fellow of the day, and perhaps above all, the fact that these lovely ladies here were all part of the WAMPAS Baby Stars promotional campaign.

This project was spearheaded by the Western Association of Motion Picture Advertisers and involved selecting (and promoting) a different baker's dozen of hopeful young women that were trying to make it big in movie industry every year between 1922 and 1934 (if you’re interested in learning more about these women, I recommend checking out Roy Liberman’s engaging book “The WAMPAS Baby Star: A Biographical Dictionary”).

Each year the group of thirteen women was officially introduced (to the public) at a big party that was dubbed "The Frolic",  and which was widely covered by the media of the day. The batch featured in this clip were the ladies of 1932 and included such (soon to be household) names as Gloria Stuart and (Fred Astaire's dancing partner) Ginger Rogers. Though over the years, other highly known stars emerged from the selections as well, including Clara Bow, Fay Wrap, Dolores del Rio, Loretta Young, and Joan Crawford.

It's fascinating to look at these gorgeous and talented women now nearly eighty years later and know that while not all of them ended up making it big, amongst this group alone two of the most famous actresses of the 30s and 40s emerged. While not all thirteen of these WAMPAS Baby Stars went on to achieve lasting Hollywood fame, I think that each of them was a star - and certainly a vintage fashionista - in their own sparkling right, don’t you?

Vintage Fashionista Friday: April 23, 2010

{In the days before each of us kept cabinets full of hair care products (for most modern things like mousse, gel, shine serum, and hair spray had yet to be invented), hair nets (usually in the same colour as a woman’s hair) were often employed to help hairstyles keep their shape and stay in place. While a hair net itself is a bit utilitarian looking, the packages they once came wrapped up in are anything but boring! Many abound with beautiful artwork and colours that instantly invoke thoughts of a bygone era. This particular hair net was made by Wearwell (isn’t that name delightful?) and is constructed of real human hair (as many were before elastic nets came into use); it can be had for $8.00 US (which the enchanting artwork on the package alone is worth, in my opinion) from etsy seller Coming Up Roses.}



{Timeless beauty exudes from this dainty pair of earrings, which are made up shades that call to mind the sea on a cloudy day a spring meadow during the rain. Comprised of glass and metal to form a shape that seems at once both like a star and a flower, these tiny earrings measure 1/4 of an inch in diameter, yet would lend a sizable amount of elegance to any outfit. They can be yours for $28.00 US from Anthropologie.com.}



{Though this delicate white cardigan is not that terribly old (it has a tag attached that I’d peg to be from the 70s), something about the feminine details (such as the ruffle adorned neckline) and peplum at the waist instantly made me of certain suits and blouses I’ve seen from the 1930s. I love the idea of pairing this cardigan with the dress below and letting the fern leaf pattern poke through the oven-weave design of the sweater. This 100% acrylic cardigan fits up to a 36” bust/30” waist, and can be yours for $22.00 US from etsy seller Raleigh Vintage.}



{Hues that seem to invoke the very essence of a stormy spring sky dance across this immensely lovely 1930s silk dress that the seller found in Prague. Ferns in black and white are set atop a deep, almost inky teal hue in this understatedly elegant, yet still wonderfully fun, dress with its gently curving neckline, long sweep and short sleeves. In very good condition (save for a tad bit of fading under the arms), this classically styled vintage frock fits up to a 37” bust/29” waist, and is available for $238.00 US from etsy seller BabaVintage.}



{Soak away the day’s worries in a tub scented softly of lotus flowers, mandarin leaves and jasmine, delivered via Dead Sea salt that is enriched with an extra dose of althea, all the while gazing dreamily at a sublimely pretty, floral patterned package that’s redolent of something from an old time apothecary. Available online from Amazon for $9.00 US, this enchantingly lovely package of Claus Porto Madrigal Water Lilly Bath Salts is one of those products that almost seem too lovely to use (almost!).}



{A grand sort of refined elegance swirls through this incredible antique handbag which hails from the period between 1910 and 1920. Bedecked with turquoise beads and featuring a coppery-gold hued metal chain handle, as well as an exquisitely pretty, artfully ornate clasp (latch), this black purse would be a spectacular treasure to take with you on your most special of evenings events – or perhaps even to use for a wedding. Priced at $95.00 US, this charming purse is available from etsy seller Frocksmith.}



{Recreated to mirror a genuine 1930s pair Oxford swing dance shoes, these modern day heels could easily pass for the original deal. Made by Aris Allen, whose entire line of vintage reproduction dance shoes – for both men and women – is enough to make any old school footwear lover swoon! These black lace-up swing dance shoes (which sport a 3 inch high heel) would look gorgeous with a wide array of vintage outfits, and are available in ladies sizes 5 to 11 (including half sizes), for $64.95 from Dancestore.com.}

♥ ♥ ♥


This Friday has been one of the loveliest in recent memory. I didn’t do anything out of the ordinary, what made this day so glorious was the wealth of sunshine the poured through every window, recharging my internal batteries in a way I really haven’t felt since last summer. It’s simply amazing how much more energy I have when the sun is out! Do you feel the same way too?

My sweet dears, I wish you each a majestically lovely weekend, teaming with joy and oodles of fun!