Costume Screen Tests for Famous Films

Check out some of these vintage costume screen tests! 

Audrey Hepburn posing for the film Sabrina....the caption card says "different blouse".

Marlon Brando doing a test shot for A Street Car Named Desire.

Check out this look that almost became Dorothy's in The Wizard of Oz.

Elvis Presley poses for shot for "Jail House Rock"

Clark Gable is almost unseen in this dark shot for Gone With the Wind.

James Dean stands moodily for a screen test as Jett.

Marilyn Monroe posing for a costume test for To Be Spotted.

Debbie Reynolds in a close up hair test for Singin' in the Rain.

Joan Crawford looks bored in this shot. A test for The Best of Everything

Betty Davis poses for a screen test of this outfit from All About Eve, with hand written notes.

Back to Blonde: My Marilyn Monroe Hair Tutorial

Remembering Hugh Hefner

No matter your thoughts on the controversial life of Hugh Hefner, one thing you can say is that he had a long lasting effect on popular culture. Born in April of 1926, Hef as he was known, was born to middle class parents who were both teachers. He described them as "Midwestern and Methodist". 

A Bunny inspecting a key, which was the membership identifier for the Playboy clubs.

Writing has always been in his blood and he was a military writer during World War II.Through trial and error, and several attempts at raising enough money Mr. Hefner eventually founded and ran Playboy Magazine in 1953, with Marilyn Monroe on the cover.  

Not only was his magazine and clubs popular from the 50's, 60's, and 70's but he also ran two popular late night television shows Playboys' Penthouse (1959-1960) and Playboy After Dark (1969-1970).  Many people credit him as one of the loudest voices for the sexual revolution that swept the nation in the mid to late sixties. 

He is named for an award called the Hugh M. Hefner First Amendment Award, created by Christie Hefner, which was created "to honor individuals who have made significant contributions in the vital effort to protect and enhance First Amendment rights for Americans."

He also funded a class at The University of Southern California's School of Cinematic Arts called "Censorship in Cinema". He was also a strong supporter of the LGBTQ community and fought for equal rights saying, "fight for all our rights. Without it, we will turn back the sexual revolution and return to an earlier, puritanical time."

Edit: Forgot to post pictures of my blue bunny suit!

Lip Shapes Through The Years

Want to get your vintage pout on but aren't sure what era you want to shoot for? Have no fear, Vicki is here with the best lip looks from the 1920's to the 1970's! Ok let's dive right in:

1920's or the Bow Look. The 1920's saw the rise of superstar Clara Bow whose makeup routine sparked trends across the world. Though she was not the first to sport super thin brows (to help make her face look more expressive) and a small demure lip shape, it was because of her success that this look became mainstream. The bow lip shape is a somewhat exaggerated shape, that cuts the corners short, and emphasizes the cupid's bow on the top lip.

This is a pure 20's look, small mouth with large expressive eyes.

Clara Bow.

The gorgeous Anna May Wong, breaking some serious race barriers in the 1920's.

1940's or Lips For Our Troops. The 1940's of course saw the rise of World War 2 and entire countries of women ended up out of the home and into the factories. Gone were the elegant styles of the 20's and 30's and in came head scarves, jump suits, and women who...for lack of better phrase, dressed like men to work like men. In counterpoint to what society saw as the "de-feminization" of women were lipstick colors that hailed patriotic names like the famous "Victory Red". The lip shape became slightly fuller and far more natural. 

An early invention which gained popularity well into the 50s was matching your shade of red to your hair color.

Gorgeous ad for Red Magesty lipstick.

Rita Hayworth rocking a very natural lip shape.

1950's or the VaVa Voom Lip. The 1950's saw the end of the war and men coming home to women who had, while being patriotic with their red lipstick, had lost some of the sense of femininity while working in factories. The 50's answer to that was the overly soft, overly girl looks of the 1950s. Lip looks here started to the other way and become full and pouty. A new thing became matching your nail color and your lip color!

Check out this vintage ad where her lips and nails are the same color.

Marilyn Monroe was famous for her lip shape. She and her makeupartist Whitey would apply multiple layers of lipstick then a homemade gloss, over and over again. He even would put white powder on the center of her bottom lip to make it seem fuller.

I just love this over the top look, with that signature pout. Still from The Seven Year Itch.

1960's or Nude Lip Look. The swinging 60's saw a bevy of different looks from preppy to flower-child and everything in between. One look that seemed to have dominated the last half of the decade was the nude lip. Paired with bold and dramatic two toned eye makeup the nude lip popped up on celebrities and socialites, political wives and college students. 

Jean Shrimpton was the it girl for the 60's.

Aretha Franklin rocking some serious 60's style. 

You start moving away from reds into more shades of baby pink, nude, and coral.

Twiggy, circa 1960's.

Diana Ross working a nude lip with some full lashes.

1970's or Thin is In. The 70's saw a backlash in the makeup world for lipstick. Lips became passe and the new thing to do was cheeks. Like all trends, lipstick didn't die in the 1970s...it just started playing second fiddle. Lipstick shades started to broaden in the mid to late 60's with companies like Biba making colors like burnt orange, black, etc. The 70's were a time of color experimentation, and the introduction of metallic into mainstream lip trends.

A selection of lovely ladies from the 70s. Notice Farrah's fabulous bronze metallic lip shade. You can really see that the cheeks have started to take center stage.

Debbie Harry on the cover of Cosmo 1978.

So, what lip look is your favorite? Let me know in the comment section below!

XOXOXO Vicki Vegas!

Movie Review Monday: The Seven Year Itch

That's right folks it is a Marilyn Movie Review Monday today! The Seven Year Itch is a 1955 comedy based off the Broadway play of the same names starring Marilyn Monroe as "The Girl" (yeah she doesn't get a name in the credits) and Tom Ewell as Richard Sherman. The story follows Tom's mild mannered Richard during the height of summer in New York City and his struggle to behave himself while his wife and kids were out of town. It was not uncommon for middle class and upper class wives and kids to be sent away from the city for summer vacation and not come home til it was time for school to start. Richard, having sent his wife and kid's off an adventure reminds himself constantly to be a good boy....no drinking, certainly no smoking, and nooooo hanky panky.

The first look at "the girl". Marilyn is wearing a lovely, fitted polka dot dress with short gloves. This shape reminds me of Sarong or Tiki style dresses of the mid 50's.

Everything is going according to plan when a girl begins watching the apartment upstairs for his neighbor and he loses his cool. Of course this is a typical Marilyn role; bombshell beauty with an innocent charm. Her friendly and open demeanor leads poor Richard's imagination into all sorts of hilarious situations...his nerdy, endearing hallucinations are the height of cheese and fantasy (though they always make me laugh). If you haven't seen this charmer of a film you really need. This is the be all end all of Marilyn's look, and Tom presents the uniform of the married business man of the era.

During one of Richard's fantasies he dresses like Hugh Hefner, red smoking jacket included. He likes to think of himself as irresistible to women; of course Marilyn is painted as a Feme Fetale.

This outfit might look plain here, but it is a stunner on screen. 

Marilyn and Tom on the floor after his piano fantasy doesn't go as planned. In the end these two end up being friends; and just spending time together. 

I COULD NOT do a post without this iconic scene. Firstly, you usually see this scene from the other side, so I liked finding a picture from the other direction. This dress caused all KINDS of problems.

Famously Joe Dimaggio, Monroe's then husband, was furious over the grate scene above and the couple actually filed for divorce during the filming. If you would like more facts about the film The Sever Year Itch you can look here: http://mentalfloss.com/article/76653/16-faithful-facts-about-seven-year-itch

What is your favorite Marilyn Monroe film? Do you have an idea for the next Movie Review Monday?

Vicki
xoxox

Looks this week and some vintage buys

Hi there all!

I kinda realized the other day that I haven't posted any of my recent outfits or purchases. What kind of style blog am I? So here are a few things from this week:

Purchased this set of fun card suits in sequins! What glamour gal doesn't need more sequins!

This was a fun and springy look from this week. I paired this lime green top with navy pants, wrapped my head in a floral scarf and threw on some statement hoop earrings!

Saw this kitschy applique on Etsy.com and I had to have her! Snagged this for less than 3 dollars. I will most likely find a black skirt or sweater to stick her on!

Today's look is ALL Marilyn. Tousled curls with a true vintage grey cowl neck top and dutch print skirt.

Here is a look at the skirt, shirt combo. I wore my fabulous 4$ white wedges that I found at Value Village; however, one strap broke and needs to be re glued. So, white flats it is then!


When I head out to dinner and then Swing Dancing tonight I will change into my 40's style flats and frilly bobby socks. You should always wear flats for swing dancing, preferably ones that tie on or have a Mary Jane style strap.

Stay tuned for my upcoming video tonight!

Vicki Vegas
xoxoxoxoxo

Picking a Vintage Beauty Icon

So many people ask me "who are you dressed as?" or even "where do you get inspiration for your look?" What I find interesting is that I tend to pull from so many different retro stars that it is hard for me to pick just one! So, here is my advice: Find elements from each person you love and incorporate them into your own unique look! You like Elizabeth Taylor's eyebrows, do those Liz Taylor brows baby! You love Bridget Bardot's pout, you go with that 60's pout! 

With all that said I thought I would include some pictures from my favorite icons!

No list would ever be complete without Marilyn Monroe (born Norma Jeane Baker in 1926). Dressed up or down she is considered one of the all time greats (if not the greatest) vintage beauties. Her youthful, bubbly personality drew audiences to her movies, though she had few in her short career (she's credited in 33 films). I both admire and empathize with Marilyn. For a woman who was so intent, purposeful, and intelligent she had to play the 'dumb blonde' to get anywhere in her career.

My look is probably mostly Marilyn. From my bleach blonde hair (though in my profile picture it is dark) to my love of small waists and full skirts she is on my mind when leaving the house in the morning. Is this something Marilyn would wear? I ask myself.

A co-star in one of those 33 films (How to Marry a Millionaire) would be the Queen of the Side Eye Miss Lauren Bacall. If you are looking for sultry look no further than Lauren. I love her balance of smoky female sensuality and her fierce almost intimidating eyes and brows. If I could go back in time I would ask her how she managed those gorgeous brows.

Busty beauty Jane Mansfield makes my list of all time inspirations for her quite fearless use of cleavage! In the early age of TV and Films Jane was literally breaking down barriers with her bosom. There is a famous instance of her upstaging Sofia Loren at a party given for her by Paramount Pictures. Mansfield showed up showing everything, which was of course captured on camera for the world and Loren to see. Here is a link to an interview with Loren about the incident: http://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-body/news/sophia-loren-explains-jayne-mansfield-photo-from-1957-2014411

Bridget Bardot is famous for her swinging 60's styles (voluminous hair and  nude pout) and of course those classic curves. The French born actress turned to animal activism and has always remained an icon to the gay community. She popularized the 'bardot neckline' in which one or both shoulders are exposed.  

Last but never least is Betty Grable. A woman who once held the title of 12 consecutive years in the top 10 box office stars, she was once the highest paid woman (per film in 1946 and 1947) in the country. Her bleach blonde look and legs insured for a million dollars makes her one of my favorite style icons. I mean seriously, name a woman who can look as sweet and as devilish at the same time?

So, who are some of your vintage beauty icons? Care to share? Post in the comments below!!!

Vicki Vegas

xoxoxoxoxo