Friday Finery: Kay Francis

 

Kay in "Passion Flower" (1930)

Happy Friday to all from Kay Francis!

As early as November of 1929, Kay had been dubbed "America's best dressed woman" by designer Travis Banton, something that her studio (Warner Bros.) did not hesitate to capitalize on.  Many of her early films had less to do with her acting ability and more to do with how well her frame showcased fashion.  

In 1935, she was recognized as one of the 20 best-dressed women in the world in a poll taken by the leading Parisian dress designers.  In November of 1936, the Fashion Academy of New York recognized her as "The Best Dressed Woman in America" and awarded her with a ribboned medallion, the first actress to be so acknowledged.  

While surprised and pleased at the Academy's decision, Kay thought too much attention was given to fashion, particularly to young girls.  She held a fantasy of living on a remote island and claimed that she would not take any of her extensive wardrobe with her, as it would remind her of her endless Hollywood fittings.  Shoes, however, she said she was "mad" about and had a bit of a shoe fetish, stating that when packing for a trip to Europe, she had 48 pairs of shoes before she was halfway done with her packing. 

Friday Finery: Gary Cooper

A happy Friday to all from Gary Cooper, here in pensive profile, attired in a very stylish suit and enjoying a smoke.

Could anyone top his casual nonchalance?  (Um, no!)   The answer is in his nickname - - Coop.  He's a man's man, but he possessed a charming naivete.  Men wanted to be friends with him, women wanted . .  a little more.  And could he ever wear a suit.

This Helena, Montana native made his first film appearance as an extra in 1923 and would have many uncredited roles until 1927, when he was credited in no less than six films that year.  You might have heard of one of them - - Wings, which would go on to win the Oscar for Best Picture (the only silent film, until The Artist did so in 2011.)  Coop may have only been on screen for two minutes but those two minutes would make him a star.  And start him on the road to many, many affairs, beginning with co-star Clara Bow.  If you haven't heard, Gary Cooper was a legendary ladies' man.

He was also well known around Hollywood for his prodigious appetite for food.  The always slim Coop would somewhat jokingly say that his "starvation diet" (before he became a star) consisted of a dozen eggs a day, a couple loaves of bread, a platter of bacon and just enough pork chops between meals to keep him going until supper.   He was also known to eat a cherry pie and drink a quart of milk for lunch.   Milk . . . it certainly did this man's body good.

Coop was also an avid athlete, dog lover, guitar and harmonica player and grew corn and avocados on his Encino ranch.   He counted Jimmy Stewart, Henry Hathaway, Jack Benny, William Goetz, Jerry Wald, Charles Feldman, Bing Crosby, Pablo Picasso and Ernest Hemingway among his closest friends, with Stewart being his best friend.

What's your favorite Gary Cooper movie?

Friday Finery: Gloria Swanson

Happy Friday from the oh-so- glam Gloria Swanson!

Let's talk about this dress for just a moment.  It's a Chanel (but of course) and La Swanson wore it for the film Tonight or Never in 1931.  I love the halter like bodice with the keyhole front design.  And the winged sleeves!  When did that go out of style?  Tragic.  Glamorous Gloria wears the hell out of it - - of course, Ms. Swanson wore the hell out of everything she ever deigned to put on.

Here is another shot of this lovely dress.  We are dealing with black and white stills but I'm guessing this dress was also a very stylish black. You simply cannot go wrong with a black dress, can you?  Gloria knows it too.  Just look at her expression; girlfriend knows she's a badass. Anyone who actually marries a Marquis can absolutely get away with that.

As this was in 1931, Art Deco was all the rage.  Love, love, LOVE Art Deco.  The fireplace is stunning.  I love the inlaid design and the rounded edges.  Do you see the ornate iron work of the grate?   Check out the paneled mirrored wall in the second snap.  Work it, Gloria.  Nothing quite like a perfume bottle with an atomizer.

One thing that you may overlook but is simply fab is the door behind Ms. Swanson.  No simple trim for this lady.  Those Deco lines do her justice.  And check out the design on the actual door.  People in the 30s knew how to live.  I think we need to bring those designs back.

What do you think?

Friday Finery: Carole Lombard

Happy Friday from Carole Lombard, who is to die for in this slinky gown and fur wrap.  Were there any gowns from the 1930s that weren't slinky?  Honestly, I was born during the wrong time because I love everything about the 30s (with the exception of wearing real fur.) 


Ms. Lombard was the living end, to use popular terminology during that time.  She was married to the King of Hollywood, Clark Gable, she was gorgeous, funny and well liked and had phenomenal fashion sense.


I love these pocket doors, with the crest or emblem on each.  When did that go out of fashion?   And wouldn't you just love to see the sure to be glamorous bedroom hiding behind the doors?