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Hollywood Glamour & The Depression

In the 1930s, the stars of Hollywood dictated the body shape. The escapism that Hollywood offered drew huge audiences and many women and men were captivated by a new generation of sex idols, such as Marlene Dietrich and Jean Harlow.

The bosom was captivatingly emphasised by Hollywood with careful fitting over the bust together with the appearance of the bare back. The strict 'Hays code' prohibited any candid show of cleavage, so 'glamour' was defined by tight fitting satin and silk evening clothes, and eroticism camouflaged by the dashing dance routines of the time.

Slinky fabrics such as crepe de chine, which clung to the body, created the sinuous lines of the day. Bias cutting appeared and the long silhouette that it fashioned ran over hips and waist, and separated the breasts. The bust was back in fashion and bras with fitted cups were developed for the first time.

A new style of lingerie was crucial to complement this graceful, sensuous figure, and much incorporated the new man-made fibres, such as rayon. Ornamentation in lingerie was kept to a minimum to maintain the smooth line. Technology continued to affect women's lingerie and Dunlop invented a combination of latex rubber and ammonia that they called Lastex, an elasticised yarn, finer than, any had ever achieved.

In 1939, the world was plunged back into crisis with the outbreak of World War II just as a very new style was shown at the Paris Spring collections.

Pre Twentieth Century

The 1900's

A New Era and a New Look

The Roaring Twenties

The Depression & Hollywood Glamour

The Age of Austerity

Rock and Roll

The Age of Aquarius

Disco Fever

Power Dressing & Designer Labels

"Hello Boys"

A New Century