Violetville Vintage

Lately, when celebrities and fashion bloggers share their style influences, actresses from the 50s, 60s, and 70s are most often noted. It’s the same for me. Sophia Loren, Penelope Tree, and Lauren Hutton are foremost in my mind when I’m choosing an outfit. However, we can’t forget the glamorous dames of every era. Case in point: Tallulah Bankhead, an actress and an outrageous personality most popular in the 30-40s. She won praise for her roles on stage and screen, and was the inspiration for the characters Margo Channing in “All About Eve" and Cruella De Vil in "One Hundred and One Dalmations.” However, Bankhead was most famous for her outspokenness and scandalous love affairs in the tabloids.

 Her style was also a thing of intrigue. It is written, “She chain-smoked and enjoyed more than her share of Kentucky bourbon, and made it a "habit" to take her clothes off and chat in the nude.” In a time when women were expected to be prim and proper, Bankhead’s nonconformity is refreshing. And when she did wear clothes, they were fabulous. Silk flapper gowns with exquisite draping and drop-waisted dresses were wardrobe staples. Slinky and sexy most adequately define her style.

Her style definitely translates to today. For his Spring 2010 Ready-To-Wear line, John Galliano referenced the provocative star. He said, '"...I went around the old houses of Hollywood and imagined how stars like Tallulah Bankhead, Lillian Gish, and Mary Pickford lived.”’ As a result, he created luxurious sheer chiffon gowns, silk and satin slips, and ornate dress coats.

Bankhead’s decadence in life and clothing is inspiring. So wear inner wear as outerwear. Throw on a flapper dress covered in beads. And be sure to call everyone, “Dahling.”

-Elizabeth

Sources:

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000845/bio; http://thefashpack.onsugar.com/tag/tallulah+bankhead; http://myvintagevogue.com/more_stars_with_style; http://home.earthlink.net/~tgrillo/talented.htm; http://celebsmokers.altervista.org/displayimage.php?album=683&pos=8; http://myvintagevogue.com/more_stars_with_style; http://thesmartstylist.com/seasons-collections/spring-2010/