1950s ivory satin quilted bed jacket; floor length sheer ivory pleated nylon and lace bridal nightgown;
nine-row white faceted rhinestone bracelet, c.1940.
Lillie Belles Gallery Garden, (805) 641-2621

photography by Megan Sorel Photography
hair & makeup by Erika Harding, ArchiTexture Salon & Spa   
wardrobe & prop design by Cathryn Van Breene, The Studio Agency

      Despite limitation of resources during World War II and its aftermath, the women of the 1940s were determined to be glamorous, and they succeeded in creating an era of high fashion. They redesigned their husband’s suits and turned them into feminine attire; they opened the jewelry boxes of their mothers and grandmothers and found lovely real-metal broaches, pendants and bracelets which they used to adorn their hair; hairstyles were cut short to be kept up and away from the face as an important safety consideration for women machinists and riveters. Available resources where used in unique ways such as feathers for boas and eyeliner drawn up along the back of their legs to create the illusion of silk stockings with prominent seams. And of course they used makeup. Makeup is the natural way that a woman maintains her feminine appearance. Makeup is good for the morale and it is good for the soul.
     It is during this era that Max Factor launched his cosmetic line responsible for the famous shape of Clara Bow’s lips, Joan Crawford’s redder-than-red lips, and Bette Davis’ accentuated eyes. Maison de Beauty in Paris and London developed the concept of the beauty salon as a health spa, addressing the “total woman.” Elizabeth Arden headed for the bright lights of New York, and by the 1940s, the bright red door of her Red Door salon was a well-known fixture on Fifth Avenue.
      Your Wedding Day offers you a chance to bring glamour back as a modern-day bride. So instead of buying a tiara for your hair, shop your local antique stores and visit clothing designers who have vintage lines to create the Hollywood “glamour girl” in you

Vintage hats from Lillie Belles Gallery Garden, (805) 641-2621;
Jewelry from Perfect Details

1950s ivory satin quilted bed jacket; floor length sheer ivory pleated nylon and lace bridal nightgown;
nine-row white faceted rhinestone bracelet, c.1940.
Lillie Belles Gallery Garden, (805) 641-2621

1950s white iridescent sequined bed jacket with Marabou feather trim.
Lillie Belles Gallery Garden, (805) 641-2621

1950s velvet chapeau of fuchsia roses; Ecru tatted shawl collar, c.1910.
Lillie Belles Gallery Garden, (805) 641-2621

Pink crocheted cap with satin ribbon binding, c.1910; 1940s Opera length soft peach satin gloves; faceted marchasite beaded bag with silver frame, Germany, C.1910.
 Lillie Belles Gallery Garden, (805) 641-2621

Soft peach gathered net pillbox hat and matching veil, edged with lace, c.1920.
Lillie Belles Gallery Garden, (805) 641-2621
Dream Girls hair comb with leaves, accented with handset Swarovski crystals and tiny cluster of pearls by Paris; Thomas Crown Affair stunning medallion necklace by Paris with Swarvoski crystals and four rows of pearls. Perfect Details