Cabinet of curiosities & Inspirations since 2009

Cabinet of curiosities & Inspirations since 2009
*I Don’t Own the Rights to These Photos*

30 nov. 2008

MAKEUP AND MAKE-BELIEVE


When i was writing for a new post, i came across this teenage photo of Dita Von Teese.
Blonde and Make-up free; this remind me
 the stange feeling you can have when you see for the first time
 the photo of Laura Palmer in "Twin Peaks" 
(1990) of David Lynch.

I always admired people who perfectly knows
 how they want to look like.

People who are knowing how to do a wake-over on themself.
Dita Van Teese just added to her look a vintage Hollywood Glamour style.


Max Factor's Beauty Calibrator

Back in the 1930's and 40's, during the glory days of Hollywood, 
the world of movie make-up was dominated by none other than Max Factor.Max Factor specialized in transforming ordinary people into dazzling stars.

In 1914, working in his shop’s laboratory, Factor created “a greasepaint in cream rather than stick form, ultrathin in consistency, completely flexible on the skin, and produced in twelve precisely graduated shades.
 The silent-film comedians—
Chaplin, Keaton—were the first to try it.

Major Hollywood actresses - just about everyone who was anyone at the time: 
Betty Grable, Rita Hayworth, Clara Bow, Bette Davis, Ginger Rogers, Judy Garland were using his skills.

There is a strange Max Factor invention: "The Beauty Calibrator " is a weird gizmo from 1932 
for measuring the face; it looks more like some medieval torture device.


Strange but the Cosmetic industry is always mixing images of  Torture and Glamour.

Remenber Rita Hayworth who had her hair removed to have a bigger face.
Isn't that torture but of course not like today, those informations where hidden.
It's really difficult to see a Face transformation of the Movie Stars of the 40's and 50's.
I wish i could read one day a book who will investigated about
 this hidden secrets of Hollywood studios.

American women in the early twentieth century, overcoming Puritan scruples 
enforced by male employers, husbands, editorial writers, and legislators, began to paint themselves”.
Here few Max Factor advertisements.




One of my favorite movie is Vertigo (1958) of A. Hitchcock.
Judy, the brunette accepted to change her hair color, style and make-up to please her lover.
She transformed herself into the blonde Madeleine.


It's funny to see that David Lynch will also work on this transformation subject 
in several of his films:




I came across an online exhibition at the FASHION ILLUSTRATION GALLERY 
and i discovered the drawings of David Downton.
He is working as a fashion illustrator but he have made celebrities portraits.
I like the drawing of burlesque queen Dita Von Teese.





D I T A V O N  T E E S E -  Los Angeles -  January 2006



To finish this post i would like to share with you a new Etsy shop:
They have a great way to add fun and modernity to classic vintage
 lingerie and all items are made to order.
I wish you all a great Monday.