Sweet Tea Kisses

Beaded and Sequined Silk Dress

1920s

René Lalique "Owls Bracelet" c. 1900–1901 This is a signature Art Nouveau creation by French master jeweler René Lalique (1860–1945). Lalique revolutionized jewelry by making design and artistry more valuable than the gold and gems. This cuff, crafted from gold, frosted glass, enamel, and chalcedony, was acquired directly from the artist by collector Calouste Gulbenkian and forms part of the world’s largest Lalique collection. Each owl carved from glass is a powerful symbol of wisdom and secrets.

A study of historical dress and undergarments, Part 5:  1900s -> 1910s -> 1920s

One Dress a Day Challenge

November: Oscar winners

A Place in the Sun / Elizabeth Taylor as Angela Vickers

Year: 1951

Designer: Edith Head

This has been called the most copied dress in cinema history. It was a bit of a gamble for Edith Head, as she knew there would be a long lead time before the film was released, and she had to predict whether the New Look would stay in fashion that long. Not only did it stay, but this particular dress became a sensation and set the style for party and prom dresses for years to come. As one blogger wrote, "It's hard to remember when the silhouette of this dress was not in our public consciousness; it's that much of a mainstay in fashion now."

Ms. Head's own comments on the gown: “For the debut gown, I relied on flowers, little violets, to accent the bodice, and I sprinkled them on the skirt. The dress became especially dramatic because I made the skirt exceedingly full, with yards and yards of tulle over a pastel underskirt, and the flowers made the bust look fuller. The combination of the full bust and wide skirt accented the waist, making it appear even smaller than it was.” Another website notes that the dress consisted of "six layers of white net over pale mint green taffeta, studded with single velvet violets and a bodice covered in white velvet violets."

At least two copies of the dress have survived (multiple ones were made for the film), and one is on display at Grauman's Chinese Theater. Below is a recreation of the dress for the stage show A Conversation with Edith Head, showing how it may have looked when new.

One Dress a Day Challenge

November: Oscar winners

A Place in the Sun / Elizabeth Taylor as Angela Vickers

Year: 1951

Designer: Edith Head

This has been called the most copied dress in cinema history. It was a bit of a gamble for Edith Head, as she knew there would be a long lead time before the film was released, and she had to predict whether the New Look would stay in fashion that long. Not only did it stay, but this particular dress became a sensation and set the style for party and prom dresses for years to come. As one blogger wrote, "It's hard to remember when the silhouette of this dress was not in our public consciousness; it's that much of a mainstay in fashion now."

Ms. Head's own comments on the gown: “For the debut gown, I relied on flowers, little violets, to accent the bodice, and I sprinkled them on the skirt. The dress became especially dramatic because I made the skirt exceedingly full, with yards and yards of tulle over a pastel underskirt, and the flowers made the bust look fuller. The combination of the full bust and wide skirt accented the waist, making it appear even smaller than it was.” Another website notes that the dress consisted of "six layers of white net over pale mint green taffeta, studded with single velvet violets and a bodice covered in white velvet violets."

At least two copies of the dress have survived (multiple ones were made for the film), and one is on display at Grauman's Chinese Theater. Below is a recreation of the dress for the stage show A Conversation with Edith Head, showing how it may have looked when new.

Marsha poses for a series of photographs published in 1st September 1998 Hello magazine (part 2 of 2)

When these photos were taken, she was living in Wicklow (Ireland) with her then partner, Irish filmmaker Alan Gilsenan, they met the previous year while making a documentary.

Cycling Suit

1896-1898

United States

I hate to be late