MarvelousModeSpringIssue

MarvelousMode

Spring Forward Accessorize with Glamor

Get Your Easter Bonnet

The 1940s Fashion Craze

The Handbag Retro Vs. Modern

Modern Retro Pinup Look

Lily Dache Milliner to the Stars

The Original 1940s Pinup Betty Grable

1912 Fashion The Titanic 100th Anniversay

Masculine Side of Accessories

March/April 2012 Issue #2

Letter from The Editor I started this mag as Ala Mode with the idea of accessoires as the theme.

Now to me all Fashion (Mode) is life. My passion is accessories, particullarly Hats. However, the term Marvelous came to mind, because great style, fashion and chic are marvelous and they make a person look and feel marvelous. Soo without further adue here is the first official debut of Marvelous Mode a magazine focused on accessories and fashion.

March & April to me start a renewal of life and fashion. This time of year is bursting forth to think fresh and new.

Winter is ending and Spring is arriving. The fashions for this season should be light, flirty, sensual, perky and always fresh. A time to celebrate Easter and Passover and bring out your bright and happy style. During the 1940s women dressed in simpler lines but always fresh and feminine. Even in the war years women took the time to put themselves together from head to toe. I for one love the 1940s look. It has been an underground fashion craze for the last 15 years and it is starting to evolve into a more fashion forward look. The pinup during this time was womanly and friendly looking. She looked sexy in a fun All American way. I have dedicated this issue to getting the look in a modern way. Don’t costume ladies but get the lines and the look in a fresh modern way. So put on some great retro accessories and a happy smile.

Heather Sonrisa Editrix at Large Cover/Inside Cover Gingham Retro Boater Heather Sonrisa at Etsy Brooch Great Grandmother’s and Dress 1995 Spring DKNY

Table of Contents Fashion Features

People Features

1940s Fashions

Pages 4-9

Betty Grable

Modern Pinup

Pages 12 - 22

Liily Dache Milliner Pages 32 - 34

The Handbag Retro V Modern Pages 23 - 25 Easter Bonnet

Pages 27 - 29

Mens Accessories Page 37

Topics NYC Easter Parade

Page 26

Titanic the 100th Anniversary Pages 35- 36 Passover

Page 31

Editor Heather Sonrisa Ads & questions email: info@marvelousmode.com twitter.com/MarvelousMode

Pages 10 - 11

Spring Trends Since this magazine is dedicated to the Fashion of Accessories, my focus is for their Spring 2012 trends and looks. March and April are the time of year when Winter ends and Spring time begins. This year the fashions are showing a different direction than in years past.

But they are harkening back to a time of a more lady like way of dressing. But do not misunderstand the term “LadyLike”. It is not a return to being prudish or submissive but rather a call to be powerfully feminine. The term Retro is ever growing in the street fashions. And many sites are dedicated to Vintage Fashion as well. Retro is a recreation in modern terms of a vintage fashion. There is a definite vibe for women of the world to be more womanly. For so long we have androgenized women’s fashion and forced grown ladies to dress as if they are still little girls or the infamous trashy look that is overdone. Recently at the London Fashion Week Vivienne Westwood made a comment that girls of today dress ugly. I would have to admit she is partially correct. But there are those who have great style that do not get attention from the press for being a fashionista. It has been the controversial maidens who lack true chic that have garnered press. But now it is time of a renewal and change. A return to the true woman knowing how to dress to flatter herself. Now it is time to re-visit the more femy approach to every day wardrobes and accessories. We don’t just pay attention to what comes down the runways but to the way women all over are taking their own approach to what is in and out each season. I love seeing Tommy Ton’s Street Fashion Pictures during Paris Fashion Week as much as what comes down the runways. With the advent of indie designer and craft sites like Etsy.com and DaWanda.com fashions are being taken in a different direction. It’s not just the big name designers that drive the looks but bloggers, indie designers, stylists, fashionistas and underground movements that give homage to women in film and fashion. Trends are fleeting but great fashion lasts. Accessorize your Spring Look with Hats, Gloves, Seamed Hoisery, Big Brim Dress Maker Hats, Hair Accessories, Bracelets and Brooches. Oh let’s not forget the Duchess of Cambridge and her grown up fresh fashion forward style. Let’s grow up ladies and get beautifully sexy.

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1942 Collier’s Magazine Cover in honor of the Soldiers www.million-magazines.com

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1940s Fashion Flirty, Femie, & Glamorous 1940s was a time of great change in the world and in fashion. It began with a war and ended with The New Look. At the beginning of the decade fashions were a continuation of the late 1930s fashions. However, due to the war many countries were forced to ration materials for military supplies. This created shorter hem lines, smaller hats and a simplier style. Hollywood still churned out films during the war to uplift the morale of the United States and our Allies. It was also during this time that buyers in the US were restricted from traveling to Europe to buy coming seasons clothing and accessories, so this opened the way for American Style and Design. It was tauted in the fashion mags that it was the duty of women to stay fashionable and pretty for our boys over seas. The dress and the dress suit or skirt and fitted jacket were the major fashions of the time. Accessories were tasteful but the major one was the hat. This was a time when hats were just as important if not more to a woman’s look and wardrobe. Just like clothing the strict embargos on materials caused milliners to size down and get creative. There were many hat ads in magazines and newspapers telling women to spruce up their exsisting hats with new trims. The doll tilt hat came about and was popularized during this time. So dubbed the doll tilt because it was half the size of normal hats and it was worn center or side tilted to the front. Ever so sexy. Brooches were the must jewelry accessory to looks during daytime and evening. Handbags were starting to become more important to a woman’s wardrobe. Again because of the war women were encouraged to go to work while their boys were overseas. This brought about a need for more room in a handbag for things she might need during day. Bags went from coin purses to handbags. Leather was in short supply so many material bags and faux materials were used. The platform t-strap high platfoprm heel sandal was the must have shoe for women during the 1940s. Hoisery was so important to a woman’s look that due to nylon restrictions some women started painting their legs and adding the seams down the back which proved fruitless due to fading and washing away. A woman’s face was her greatest assest during this time. They powdered and put on red lipstick wherever they went. Red nails and toes were a must. The look was matte but glowing. Big shoulders first started appearing at the end of the 30’s but were at their height during the 40s. In the fifties the shoulder was more rounded. Women trully looked to Hollywood during the 40s for their style inspirations. Hollywood costume designers were just as famous as French Couturiers. Adrian was the premiere costumer of many of the stars as was Edith Head. This was during the hey day of Hollywood and no star would go out in public with out looking the way she did on screen.

Betty Grable, Joan Crawford, Gypsy Rose Lee, Hedy Lamar and the list goes on and on. The 1940s glamour had a sweetness to it that gave way to the haute woman of the 1950s. I find men love the 1940s silhouette as it makes women approachable and sweet and sexy.

Peruse the rest of this magazine for vintage ads, clothing and accessories, and modern style that will give you the look in a fresh modern way. Enjoy the Spring and the chance to renew your look and wardrobe. Get flirty and feminine with it.

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After the war women stuck with the slim swing dress as seen here.

Accessories for Spring Hat and matching gloves with a first showing of a shoulder bag in a darker shade than the other accessories.

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The 1940s Toppers

1947 Dior Hat Ad Lucille Ball publicity pic 1940s

Vogue Magazine 1942 Lilly Dache and Hattie Carnegie Spring Hats

Rose Valois Print Ad www.hprints.com

Big brim skimmer hats, cartwheel hats, tilt hats and cocktail pillbox veiling hats were all very popular hat styles during the 1940s.

A hat was almost more important than the actual dress.

Rose Valois Print Ad www.hprints.com 7

Retro Chapeaux

Mermaid Hat Stephen Jones Millinery www.stephenjonesmillinery.com

Straw Skimmer Boater by Orizu at Etsy www.etsy.com/shop/Orizu

John Fredericks Vintage 1940s Big Brim Hat www.vingtagemartini.com

Heather Sonrisa Retro Glamor Collection www.etsy.com/shop/heathersonrisa

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1940s Brooches, Pins and Bracelets

Fred Block 1940s Brooch Morning Glory Antiques at www.antiqueconnectionmall.com

Coro Brooch 1940s Morning Glory Antiques at www.antiqueconnectionmall.com

During the 1940s different jewelry was worn but the most important to women’s wardrobe was the brooch/pins and bracelets.

Trifari 1940s Rhinestone Pin www.trifari.com

Haskell 1940s Bracelet Morning Glory Antiques at www.antiqueconnectionmall.com 9

Betty Grable Legendary 1940s Pinup Queen Betty Grable is definitely Hollywood Royalty. She started her career as a teenager and became the quintessential Pinup Queen of the 1940s. She paved the way for Betty Paige and the Pinup craze that is seeing a huge comeback. And I must say I love love love it. Betty Grable started out very early in life with dance lessons. She had the vertible stage mom who pushed her to stardom. She made headlines in musicals with the great choregraphers of Hollywood during the 1930s and 1940s. Her most famous pinup photo helped to catapult her to Leading Lady status on and off screen. That photo was much heralded by the boys in WWII. She helped to bring the pinup into the limelight and paved the way for pinups today. She was known for the best gams (legs and derriere) in the business. Many heralded her, “The girl with the million dollar legs.” I personally love Betty. She had a beauty that was whimisical and sexy. Her bright lipy smile helped her to win over the hearts of movie goers all over the world. She dressed her Starlett Persona on and off screen. Betty displayed a bright feminine style in her wardrobe. Her character was upbeat vavoom. so many of the other top Hollywood starletts during her time were hautey and serious looking but Betty’s cheery beauty sat her apart. She lived during an age of Hollywood where the clothes helped to shape their stardom. The names of Hollywood Costume Designers were as famous as French Couturiers. Betty brought a quirky sex appeal that influenced Marilyn Monroe and many others since. The bombshell look became playful and not the over dramatic serious vixen of previous screen sirens. Therefore, clothing became more upbeat and high fashion. Accessories where a part of every woman’s wardrobe and not an after thought. The correct hat or hair accessory and costume jewelry were as much a part of character and persona developement as the main wardrobe.

“There are two reasons why I am successful in show business and I am standing on both of them.” Betty Grable on her success in Film.

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Betty Grable Curvy and upbeat

The Pinup that rang around the world.

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The Modern Pinup

The return of the Pinup is a trend that has grown in popularity in the last 10 years. There are numerous sites dedicaded to the look, fashion and lifestyle of the Pinup based on the Pinups of the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s. What has brought this fascinatiom about? What’s the difference between the Pinup and the Playmate. The pinup is more womanly, voluptous and playful. Generally she is dressed and not nude.

I lived in Los Angeles for a number of years and was exposed to the Betty Paige girls and became fascinated with this look and fashion.

Then came indie Designers on Etsy who’s business is based on this trend . Bernie Dexter is one of the premiere Betty Paige Pinup Girls in the World and she does alot of modeling for Etsy Designers. Alot of the mode for this look started with Gywen Stefani in her Orange County early days and she rocked this look. Next came Dita Von Teese and her retro look and Burlesque show. Now a days there is Katy Perry who lights up this look well.

Designers like Tarina Tarantino and Betsey Johnson (who I had the pleasure for working for) always promote this look. The 1940s and 1950s glamour girl look is timeless and always stylish and that is why we return to it. Not to mention men love it too. It’s All American Appeal and vavoom energy give women a feminine boost in the keester. All these girls display a cheery sex appeal that we have not seen since the Betty Grable and Varga Girl days.

How is this influencing fashion apparel and accessories? It’s bringing the happy sexy woman as opposed to the bitch vixen that has become so popular.

This transcends to a more upbeat fashion. The flirty dresses of the 1940s are a must for a Pinup Girl. Not all fashion is flattering but this certainly is.

It aims to up the attractiveness and vavoom of women. During the heyday of the Pinup the name Varga and Elvgren are most recognized as the artists who created this phenom. Their paintings are much sought after and copied in the Pinup Fashion World. All you need to do is go to Youtube and find listings for all things Pinup from makeup, cosmetics, fashion, hair and more. During the 90s I worked for DKNY and it was during the time of the Shalom Harlow influenced Hollywood Glamor period. Donna had great 1940s style dresses and I have always gotten more compliments on that dress than any other thing I have owned. Many other designers in modern times have been influenced by the designs Yves St. Laurent during the 1970s, Marc Jacobs 6 years ago, and Moschino always has 40s style dresses and shoes. But it is the underground movement that is being brought to main street by women who love the look that is bringing it back. Bravo ladies and designers take notice this is a style that is making a come back. All of this has evolved into a fashion revolution with many sites like pinupgirlclothing.com, stopstarring.com, bettiepaigeclothing.com, beniedexter.com and many more selling retro, pinup, rockabilly and vintage clothing for the girl who loves this look. Many magazines have cropped up online that directly display the retro pinup like thepinupmag.com. Peruse these next pages for 1940s fashions, accessories and that all around pinup craze.

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The Modern Retro Pinup

Chara Burgh Retro Pinup Model In Vintage Lingere and Evening Wear

Heather Sonrisa Retro Pinup Millinery

www.facebook.com/missmodelchara www.modelmayhem.com/cfineart www.charaburgh.com A3 Studios (photographer)13 www.modelmayhem.com/a3studios

Varga Girls

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Gil Elvgren

www.etsy.com/shop/vanguardgallery 15

Get The Look Pinup Perfect Suits

Retro Pinup Swimsuit www.pinupgirlclothing.com

Bernie Dexter Pinup Queen in www.pinupdoll.com

Fables by Barrie on Etsy Sailor Short andFrannie Bikini Bottom www.etsy.com/shop/fablesbybarrie

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Get The Look The 1940s Dress

Stop Starring Retro Dress www.stopstarring.com Moschino Dress www.yoox.com

Lindy Hop Dress www.modcloth.com

Bernie Dexter 1930s/1940s Dress www.babygirlboutique.com

Betsey Johnson Retro Inspired Dress www.betseyjohnson.com

Bernie Dexter Retro Dress www.berniedexter.com

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Hair Accessories

Rose Hair Clip Tarina Tarintino www.tarinatarantino.com

Rose Pinup Hair Clip by LilaJo www.lilajo.com

Pinup Betty Beaded Rose Hair Clip by Heather Sonrisa Modes www.etsy.com/shop/heathersonrisamodes 18

Modern 1940s Inspired Jewelry

Rhinestone Box Brooch www.fabulosbrooch.com

Charm Bead Bracelet Kimm Smith on Etsy www.etsy.com/shop/kimmsmith

Plastic Rose Bracelet by Tarina Tarantino www.tarinatarantino.com 19

The Shoes

Marni Platform www.yoox.com

Faryl Robbin Collection www.zappos.com

Sivler Ankel Strap Platform www.shoeluxe.com

Pour La Victoire Platform www.nordstrom.com

Pink Glitter Polys www.betseyjohnson.com 20

Lingere, Gloves and Hoisery

Retro Bullet Bra by What Katie Did www.whatkatiedid.com White Vintage Gloves at The Vintage Closet on Etsy www.etsy.com/shop/thevintagecloset Retro Contrast Seam Stockings www.whatkatiedid.com

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Cosmetics for That Retro Look

Coty Airspun Powder www.beautyboutique.com

Revlon Nail Polish All Fired Up www.drugstore.com

www.glamordaze.blogspot.com

Compact Powder Besame Cosmetics www.besame.com

Revlon Lipstick Love That Red www.drugstore.com

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Handbag Retro Vs. Modern Handbags are on every girls IT List when it comes to her wardrobe. i have seen women go out in sweats and Uggs with messy hair and no makeup but they are carrying a Louis Vuitton or Marc Jacobs handbag. Hermes is the Epitome of handbags but for most women it is out of range so to speak. Since I was a little girl I would pick out a nice handbag to go with all my outfits. It was a special trip to the mall to pick out my handbag. Almost a right of passage as a girl to a woman. Women trully salivate over certain bags each season. But what about the types of handbags women carried in the 1940s. In the 1930s bags were still small and unassuming. Then in the 1940s the handbag grew to fit the needs of the modern working woman. The size and shape of the bag changed too. Bags took on geometric shapes. Unusual materials where used due to war restrictions on materials like leather. The sizes grew larger to accomodate war time accessories and a modern woman’s needs. After the war leather was once again in use but straws and bamboo started to be used.

Mass manufacturing of handbags had become more efficient and therefore more women carried them and they started to become a fashion statement just like other accessories. Before these years bags were more of utilitarian item just for purposes of holding money and change. Women generally did not work and did not hold the purse strings in the family so large sums were not carried. As the 1930s decade closed women’s needs for something to carry here everyday needs in was a must. Lipsticks and powder compacts led the way as musts to be carried with any lady. Therefore, handbags grew. So, how did the handbag become such a status symbol?

Is the big handbag craze that we have seen the last 15 years going to give way. Besides is a handbag really fashion? An outfit can be hampered by a bag. Going out for a night of partying can be hampered by a cumbersome handbag. Why do so many women want to carry such large handbags everyday? With technology do we need to carry those IPad and Laptops with us every where we go? Or should we be like the ladies during the 1940s and carry only what is necessary lipstick, compact powder, handkerchief, money changer or small wallet and maybe a little perfume atomizer. But then again it is the 21st century and we do need our PDA’s. But do we or even should we be hampered by these large bags. Are they really fashionable? I have been buying vintage 1940s, 1950s and 1960s handbags for years. I love their sexy look and compactability. And I can fit all my needs in them and not be hampered by a cumbersome bag that knocks everything in a store over. Clutches have stayed in as an evening bag but sometimes they are unattractive and boring.

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Handbag Vintage Ads

During the wartime and there after fabrics rather than leather were used such as crocheted and straws. The handbag was the Bag DuJour. Small shoulder bags were carried by some working women but the angular bags with small hand straps or no straps were the bags carried by most women.

Vintage Bag Ad 2ndLookVintage at Etsy.com www.etsy.com/shop/2ndlookvintage

Glamour Daze Blog Spot 24

Handbag Retro Modern Chic

Kate Spade Mount Perry Adira Bag www.katespade.com Lux de V ille Retro Handbag www.luxdeville.com

Bambo 54 Handbag www.handbags.com

Whiting Davis The Heidi Clutch www.whitingdavis.com

Koret Handbag www.koret.com 25

NYC Easter Parade The annual New York City Easter Parade is a site to behold. It happens each year on you guessed it “Easter Sunday”. It brings out people of all ages and faiths. The parade takes place on Fifth Avenue from 49th to 57th Streets. The action starts at 10AM and goes on for hours. It all started after the Civil War when in 1870 New Yorkers who had prospered would attend uptown Easter Sunday Services and then stroll the Boulevard to socialize and be seen in their Easter Finest.

Then in 1948 Irving Berlin immortalized this festive parade in the movie with Judy Garland, Fred Aistaire, Ann Miller and Peter Lawford “Easter Parade”. I love this movie musical. It shows Judy Garland at her best and of course the hats are DIVINE. So whether you are in New York or somewhere else put on your Easter Bonnet with all the frills upon it and enjoy the day.

Easter Parade April 8, 2012 10am - 4pm www.http://www.essential-new-york-city-guide.com

Movie Poster www.moviegoods.com

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The Easter Bonnet Ok, so what and where did the Easter Bonnet come about and why the Bonnet? So many questions and so little time. Well there are varied explanations but.... Before Easter was celebrated there were Spring Celebrations that announced the rebirth of the earth and women and men would wear flowers and wreaths on their heads. Most recently in the United States after the Civil War when Easter had become an official holiday the women decided to take off their mourning veils and put on pastel colored headwear and adorn them with ribbons and flowers. During the 19th Century Hat Styles included a version of the Bonnet which was really introduced in France around the time of the Revolution. During the 1940s - 1960s a style of the Bonnet came back into Vogue. In New York they would use Easter as a time for showing their latest Spring Fashions along 5th Avenue for the annual Easter Parade. And up until the 1960s women always wore hats during the day. I remember as a little girl that my Easter ansemble was not complete without a little white straw hat with flowers. The modern Easter Hat is a variety of sorts. It’s all up to the wearer and her own personal style. A straw boater type of hat has been tradition for many years with ribbons and flowers adorning the chapeau to announce spring. But in more recent years women are getting more daring and adventourous with their hats.

This is due to the upsurge of hat wearing and the interest in retro styles. So be creative but always stylish not ridiculos. So get your Easter Bonnet and put your frills upon it and let everyone see your personality show through your hat.

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1885 Gable Bonnet www.antiquedress.com

The Easter Bonnet Spring Hats from the 1940s

John-Frederics 1947

Loretta Young in the 40s in her Easter Bonnet for a promo

Sally Victor 1947

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TheRetro Easter Bonnet & Vintage Hatters

Bergers of Buffalo 1940s www.antiquedress.com

Ellen Christine Couture Millinery in NYC www.ellenchristine.com

1940s Spring Hat www.vintagemartini.com

Black Straw Floral 1940s Hat www.jabotsboutique.com

Heather Sonrisa Glamor Retro Collection www.etsy.com/shop/heathersonrisa

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Spring/Summer 2012 Millinery & Hair Accessories

Retro Glamour Kentucky Derby Debutante Tilt Chapeaux

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www.etsy.com/shop/heathersonrisa

Passover What is Passover and why are we writing about it in a fashion mag. Besides Passover is not known for any type of fashion or style. However, it does happen to fall around the same time as Easter every year. Even though I am not fully Jewish, I and many others honor this time and take the time to dress up but not be flashy. Passover denotes the time when Moses told the children of Isarel to mark with lambs blood their doors so that the Angel of Death would passover their house and not harm their first borns. It also marks the beginning of the Exodus out of Eygpt. This is a time of seder meals and thankfulness for deliverance. So what better time than to dress understated but fashionable. Shalom. The dates are April 6-14, 2012. www.chabad.org

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Lilly Dache‘ Milliner to The Stars

Lilly Dache was the Milliner Du Jour of the 20th Century. Her name and persona were and are synomous with stylish and glamorous must have hats. She was born in France at the end of the 19th Century (different sources vary on the exact date) and immigrated to the United States as a very young woman. The NY Times had this to say about this famous lady, “Lilly Dache, the milliner who flourished in this country in the decades when women selected their new hats before they chose their new clothes..” Lilly says this about working with customers, ''I would talk to the woman, ask her where she planned to wear the hat, what kind of dress she would wear it with,'' she told an interviewer at the end of her career. ''If she thought her nose was too long, I would make a hat with a brim and pull it down so you couldn't see the nose so much. I made everything with love, affection and excitement.'' She started her New York career working in a Millinery Shop in the city with another young woman. They became so in demand that they bought the shop from the owner and started their own business. Lilly was very much an entrepenure; she and her husband who worked for Coty entertained and networked to spread her persona. However, it was in France that she studied under the famous Caroline Reboux who was the Premiere Millinery Queen of the 19th Century and first part of the 20th Century. Her French flair, skill and taste won over the women of American and the world so much that she went on to part ways with her first shop partner and branched out on her own. Her hats were the hats to have just like the It Bags of today. Oh how I long for the fashion world to return to the glamor of the It Hat and Milliners. Hats are the highest expression of fashion and as Stephen Jones says, “The exlamation point to a look.” Lilly eventually branched out to dresses, gloves, lingere, hair salon and more. Lilly was a visionary business woman who saw the trend of a more ready to wear versus made to measure market so she created the line Dachettes.

Lilly Dache became the milliner to the stars during the 1930s-1950s. Her clients included Hollywood stars like Sonja Henie, Audrey Hepburn, Carole Lombard and Marlene Dietrich. Her last customer was Loretta Young, who arrived at her studio after Miss Dache decided to retire and bought her last 30 hats, said the NY Times in 1990. One of my favorite movies is with Lauren Bacall who knew how to dress and wear a hat, “Designing Woman”. There is a scene in a restraunt where Lauren’s character says, “I would bet a Lilly Dache hat that there was someone else setting at this table earlier.” She is even mentioned in a famous Big Band song “Tangerine” by Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra. Then in 1955 she appeared on the famous game show "What's My Line?" where contestant Arlene Francis eventually guessed her identity. Her hats have shown up in countless fashion mags and she was heralded for her exquisite taste and style. Lilly helped to bring prestige to the Millinery business and to being a Milliner in the United States. Her hats are still much sought after by fashionistas and collectors. And of course her design influence can be seen in the newest generation of hat makers all around the world.

Daché is reported to have said, "Glamour is what makes a man ask for your telephone number. But it also is what makes a woman ask for the name of your dressmaker."

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The Milliner herself looking Glamorous.

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Revlon Ad and Lilly Dache Hat

Collier’s Magazine 1947

1941 Violet Turban

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Lauren Bacall in the movie “Designing Woman” where her character mentions Lilly Dache

The Titanic 100th Anniversary The Titanic sat sail on April 10, 1912 from Southhampton, England. It was suppose to be the most glamorous and luxe ship ever built by man. I am positive everyone has seen the move “Titanic” . However, have you ever read a true re-telling from a survivor about what really happened on that fateful night on April 14, 1912 when the ship hit an iceberg and the unthinkable happened. Read the incredible retelling by a woman who was a nanny to a family in first class on www.eyewitnesstohistory.com “The Sinking of the Titanic, 1912”.

It has now been 100 years since the Titanic sank and there has been so much interest into what really happened. The 1997 move brought about an even bigger interest in the accident and out of it an interest in the fashions of 1912. The passengers of the Titanic were from mostly America and Europe. Wealthy Americans visiting Europe boarded the ship to travel back to New York City.

What were the fashions of the time and what fashions would they have brought back? Paris has been the epicenter of fashion for more than 200 years. Her grandeur started even before Marie Antoinette in the 17th Century. During 1912 Paris was in what was termed La Belle Epoque period of fashion. It is also the time of Victorian clothing ending and Edwardian style came about. But there was also one man who bucked all tradition and was at the height of his fashion fame Paul Poiret. Most of his styles I surmize where probably not worn during the day on the Titanic as they were to racy for most American Bourgoise. However, they might have worn his colorful dresses at night. However did the women buck the corsette like Poiret says they did? Probably not. American taste has always been more puritanical than European. And usually American Style is 1-2 years behind Parisian Design. Hats during this time were the oversized picture hats with swaths of tulle, birds, feathers, ribbons and veiling. Necklaces were of the choker style. At night women wore feathers or jewels in their massive hairstyles.

So on this 100th Anniversary of the Titanic Tragedy lets remember those with warmest regards in our hearts. It is interesting to research what might have actually been worn aboard the boat by upper class and other passengers. But when I read about the horror of that night for those aboard it reminds me that the greatest style is living life to the fullest.

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1912 Fashion

It Accessory the Oversized Big Brim Hat

1910-1920 LESPIAUT. DESSUS SUC., 20 Rue de la Paix, PARIS www.antiquedress.com

There is not another accessory during this time that is seared into the minds more than the big picture hats. These types of Edwardian Women’s Hats were worn from 1910-1920.

1910-1920 BURBY Importer, 534 Fifth Avenue, New York, Charlotte M. Burby, Pres't www.antiquedress.com

The Unsinkable Molly Brown receiving an award

1912 Catalogue www.costumes.org

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Masculine Accessories During the 1940s most men were overseas at war. Therefore, them main accessories were the medals on their uniforms. However, for men of everyday the Fedora was the must have accessory. The Fedora has gained much popularity by men and women over the past 10 years but the 1940s Fedora had a bit bigger top and brim than todays Fedoras.

Dobbs Fedora at Millers Hat www.millershats.com

Dunlap Hats for Men Ad 37

Closing Comments This issue was such a thrill for me to create. It is my true official launch of a life long dream of creating a magazine that encompasses fashion, style and chic. All the things you saw and read are things I love about the 1940s style and fashion. As I set here burning the midnight oil and drinking another cup of joe to keep me going, I think about not only the style but the people. We were a world at war but never the less patriotic. It was cool to be American and support our military in every way. Women at home went to work to provide and make supplies for the women and men overseas.

At home fashion, music and film applauded all the Soliders on to Victory. One of my favorite movies during this time is “Stage Door Canteen”. During WWII there were Canteens all over the US in key cities where military men and women could go to eat a great meal and see live acts by famous Hollywood Stars. Then there is the most iconic movie of all time “Casablanca”. The story and the fashion set a trend for that time and years to come. At then end of the war and the end of the decade a new revival took place involving restoration of lives and fashion. Christian Dior’s New Look was actually a revival of Chanel and Marie Antoinette. However, the look was a new look from the past 4 decades. It led the way to the 1950s fashions. So as I close out this Issue, I think about where we should go with fashion and where this revival of 1940s sex appeal for women is heading. I think it is a breath of fresh air. Please let the days of women dressing masculine in order to be taken seriously be gone. Let us find our feminine airs and wear them well.

Stay tune for more. Next Issue of MarvelousMode is The Kentucky Derby Issue. What will the trends be.....

XOXOX Heather Sonrisa Editor MarvelousMode

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