Harlow and Bygone Fashion Trends: The Evening Hood

One of my favorite topics on the subject of fashion history are the quaint little trendy accessories that dot every era; some stuck it out and eventually matured into timeless classics, like the sixties miniskirt; some are entirely off-kilter today, such as the 'jingle garter' of the twenties. Old Hollywood publicity portraits are a great …

Fashion Portraits: Jean Harlow by Herbert Mitchell, 1932

Been awhile since I’ve done a “Fashion Portraits” post, but I always enjoy doing them, so here’s another. In early 1932, Jean Harlow was deep in a personal appearance tour that would last from December 1931 to April 1932, when her cinematic efforts were rewarded with an MGM contract. I’ve written a bit about this …

89 Years Ago: Fashion at Easton Drive

89 years ago, July 5, 1932—Jean Harlow models a blue taffeta wedding gown for a fashion spread on her matrimonial staircase at Easton Drive, just three days after her wedding to Paul Bern. Here’s the original press caption that accompanied this to print, complete with description of the gown: “THE WEDDING MODE. A powder blue …

Fashion Portraits: Dolly Tree’s Hostess Slack Suit for LIBELED LADY (1936)

Well, it's certainly been a little while since I've done a "Fashion Portraits" themed blog post, but here I am, and with some lovely Ted Allan shots from Libeled Lady (1936). Harlow posed for these costumed publicity photos on set during the film's production in summer 1936: This beautifully structured Dolly Tree creation was designed …

Fashion Portraits: Jean Harlow by Ted Allan, October 1936

Jean does a modeling session for photographer Ted Allan on October 21, 1936. Shown below is one outfit out of many that were photographed this day. These fashion portraits were done in between Libeled Lady which was completed the month before, and Personal Property which began production in December. ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣Photos from this shoot appeared …

Fashion Portraits: Harlean McGrew AKA Jean Harlow for the Herald-Express

As part of our fashion portrait theme, here is a very early shot of Harlow modeling a satin gown and large scarf from September 1928. Taken just months before signing on to a five-year contract with Hal Roach, this young model was using her married name of Harlean McGrew II on official documents. ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣Harlow …

Fashion Portraits: Harlow gets dressed by I. Magnin & Co, 1934

A magnificent Jean Harlow photographed by Clarence Sinclair Bull for a fashion spread, 1934. A few photos from this session appear in the August 1934 issue of Photoplay, and this particular dress is described in it:⁣⁣ ⁣⁣"Dinner time finds Jean dining out, so she wears a black and white polka dotted gown with a slight …

Fashion Portraits: Jean Harlow by Clarence Sinclair Bull, 1932

A new week calls for a new theme and I’ve decided on fashion portraits. I do themes on my instagram weekly solely to keep track of what I'm posting. However, it's well known at this point my posts get pretty long and with more info than Instagram can handle. I'll be crossposting longer ones here …