HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRETA GARBO!

Greta Garbo's favorite designer Adrian surprised her with a Birthday gift--right there on the "Camille" set, while I chased around town looking for the perfect Birthday gifte.  Ah, the life of a personal shopper...

Greta looks ecstatic, doesn't she? Must be a fabulous gift. So, after THAT grandiose display, I guess a nice pair of gloves and a knitted cap are out of the question.

 

Garbo loves a beautiful robe. Let's add this one from "Grand Hotel" to the list of 'possibles'.



I guess Adrian's not so bad... He did turn Garbo into quite the fashionista.  Here, he shows her some sketches. How about all that fox fur?



GG has worn some strange and exotic furs in the past few years--and not always as tailored and sophisticated as the above ensemble. 

 

  

  

Hmm--there are many styles of hat from which to choose.  Garbo generally wears them well--

Not always, though. The nuclear reactor hat from "Ninotchka" may have been charming and witty, but--looked like it would take flight.

Greta hates overtly schlocky jewels, even if they are real. In this scene from "Wild Orchids", she is done up to the max. 

The "Romance" set was close to 100 degrees fahrenheit but a velvet-clad and bejewelled Garbo didn't show a sign of 'droop'. That's my GG:  a trooper--and a gorgeous one!

Sweaters are always a great gift, if you don't go all "arty" like my rival, Adrian. That cityscape Art Deco sweater from "The Single Standard" was SO over the top.  Don't you think??? (Actually, I adore this unique sweater; Adrian brings out the green-eyed monster in me.)

   

When Greta wore a turtleneck sweater in "Anna Christie" it started a much-copied and imitated fashion trend. 

   

Carole Lombard wears a similar turtleneck sweater in the film "Twentieth Century".

Sigh!  There's no point in my visiting the lingerie shops for bras and underpinnings; these 1930s stars go 'au naturel', and look terrific.

Eureka!  I know what to get Miss Garbo for her Birthday:  she loves to pad around, especially on set, in pink, fuzzy slippers.  She is taller than most actors, both male and female, so 'the feet' are often out of the frame. Perfecto!

Happy Birthday, Greta Garbo!!!

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The above is a flight of fancy:  pure tongue-in-cheek fiction, and, I hope-- fun to read and look at.  I adore Gilbert Adrian and think he is one of the greatest designers of the twentieth century.  Anyone who knows me, and those who don't can figure out, how I feel about Greta Garbo. 

XOX







JOAN CRAWFORD: SUNNY SIDE UP

Joan at the Beach:

Joan Crawford has gotten a bad rap.  Not only was she the quintessential flapper star of the 1920s (if F. Scott Fitzgerald says it--then it be so), but costume designer Adrian's muse and glamour queen of the 1930s.

Her time at the beach, circa 1929-32--Malibu and/or Santa Monica was one of her brightest.  Married to Douglas Fairbanks Jr., bronzed and blonded--she was glorious. 

Earl Christy art for this 1931 cover of PHOTOPLAY:

With Doug, playing Backgammon:

So happy...Joan and Doug Jr.:

Photographed by Cecil Beaton, at the beach with Doug:

Joan, in chic cap, looking as fresh and bright:

Sporty, tanned and gorgeous in a pair of stylish beach pajamas:



Jersey, tam and pants so fashion forward, they could be worn today:

 



 

 

Even the French loved her look:

Windblown, stylish and pretty in more beach wear:

 

 

 

Chic, cutout one piece suit:

 

Stunning portrait by George Hurrell:

Joan looking stylish and tanned, posed with one of her fans:

Joan was first and foremost about the fans.  No other star went to as much trouble to make them happy. She answered fan mail and sent out pictures. She was past the stage where the studio could force her into silly, awkward publicity shots. She was a top of the line star now. She called the shots. And, in the photos and covers above--it showed.

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PRINCESS GRACE: A FAIRY TALE

 

Once upon a time there was a beautiful young lady from a fine Philadelphia family, named Grace Kelly.  She got her start, as many such young ladies do, in small parts on Broadway and fashion modelling.

Grace was so lovely and talented that Hollywood took note, and, soon she was acting in real movies, including Alfred Hitchcock's 1954 "Dial M for Murder", below (with Robert Cummings).

Costume designer Edith Head found herself a true fashion muse in Grace.  The wardrobe for "Rear Window" is one of the most lauded.  Below, the "Paris Dress". Dior's New Look done to a fine art in stunning black and white.

1954 was a landmark year for Grace.  She won an Academy Award for her role in "The Country Girl", gowned in this gorgeous pale green satin by Edith Head.

"To Catch a Thief" was another lavish Alfred Hitchcock production, shot on location near the Principality of Monaco. In this photo, the "gold dress" Grace wore at the costume ball.

Now it just so happened, that Monaco had a bachelor Prince: Rainier III. Grace revisited the French Riviera for the 1955 Cannes Film Festival. And, at what had to be the most public "first date" in history, Grace and the Prince met and spent some time together.

 

 

 

The dress that Grace wore, a dramatic, dropped-waist print, was recently part of the Toronto Exhibit--Grace Kelly: From Movie Star to Princess at the TIFF Bell Lightbox.

And, a C de la C "exclusive":  a close up of the photo inside the display case.

Prince Rainier and Grace were soon announcing their engagement.  Grace wore a demure brocade shirtwaist dress.  She was to become a real Princess!

The shirtwaist engagement dress below,

On April 4, 1956 Grace, her family and the bridal party departed for Europe aboard the SS Constitution in true fairy-tale style. The wedding was set for mid-April and the entire world was agog.  Grace and family were followed by reporters everywhere. Check out the adorable but proper pillbox hat (the better to see the face with).

Grace and Rainier were married in a civil ceremony on April 18, 1956. Grace's two-piece lace ensemble was designed by Hollywood heavyweight Helen Rose, who was also to produce one of the most fabulous bridal gowns in history.

 

Sipping champagne after the civil ceremony.

The Helen Rose civil ceremony outfit as displayed at Toronto's Bell Lightbox.

 

The sketch for the wedding gown:

Grace and the Bridesmaids on the terrace:

One of the Bridesmaid Dresses:

The bridal party assembled:

 

Grace, the beautiful bride:

The church wedding was broadcast live all over the world.

 

 

Bride and Groom wave to the people of Monaco--and the world.

Once upon a time brides had something called "going away outfits". The new Princess had a grey Dior suit for the honeymoon aboard her husband's yacht.

 

 

The happy couple depart on their honeymoon.

 

 

 

Alas, the fairy tale has come to an end. The new Princess of Monaco would enchant us for decades to come as Her Serene Highness, Princess Grace of Monaco.

 

 

 

 

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Valentines Day With Nat and Bob

 

A Creme de la Creme recipe for you to try:

Take one deliciously handsome young leading man-about-town in 1950s Hollywood. Robert Wagner: RJ to his many friends.

And one pretty as a picture child star, all grown up: Natalie Wood--teenage sensation, "Nat".

 Stir gently, as they become something of an item around Tinseltown.

Be patient:  Nat's mom doesn't approve. Add a few sprinkles of sugar to sweeten her up if needed.

Don't worry about lumps--it will turn out beautifully. Natalie will keep (working, that is), for she is one of Hollywood's busiest young stars.

When the mixture is smooth and creamy, turn into a springform pan, bake--et Voila!

On December 28, 1957 in Scottsdale, Arizona--Natalie Wood and Robert Wagner become husband and wife: 

The bride wears a fashion-forward hooded ensemble, edged in exquisite scalloped lace, and a ballerina length balloon hemmed skirt:  very chic; very different.

The groom is impeccable, as always, with a sprig of lily of the valley on his lapel.

Ladies and gentlemen, our cooking lesson is a splendiferous success!

Mr. and Mrs. Robert Wagner

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!