Mermaids and Hollywood glamour
If you’re looking to make a big Hollywood Golden Age (Which is the flamboyance era stretching from the '30s to the late '50s, when the televisions started spreading in all the family’s houses) style inspired wedding, then consider the mermaid style hem gown. An iconic silhouette, mermaid style gowns can make any woman feel like a glamourous movie star. A bride is definitely like an “actress” always on the stage, the eyes of every guests will be turned toward her all the time. She should consider her wedding dress like a part of her, she should feel it on her body, but most importantly, she should feel herself always perfectly at ease wearing it, like Madeleine Vionnet used to say “when a woman smiles, then her dress should smile too”
Keep in mind that the dress you choose for the big day serves only to highlight who you really are and your inner beauty. Been said so far, dear brides, don’t forget to smile and enjoy your big day.
Now you feel that mermaid style and Hollywood glam it works for you, let's dive into it without too much thoughts. Be inspired by the fashion icons of the period.
It was in the ‘30s that returns to be attractive the feminine curves and so the need to celebrate them with stunning dresses that enhance the beauty of the wearers, stars like Mae West, Jean Harlow, Carole Lombard Joan Crawford, were the fashion icons famous for highlight their silhouettes.
Mae West portrait – Photo from the book The Movie box.
Full-length crêpe satin envers slip dress with a sensual mermaid silhouette and a slight tail at the back. The femininity is accentuated by the V-neck and straps which cross over on the back.
The mermaid gown has a figure flattering, body hugging to the knee or above, with a dramatic flare hem below. This is a very feminine style that can show off the curves you have, or even create the illusion that you do, even if you don’t.
From Peter Langner: ALEGRA: Strapless mermaid gown in Mikado with embroidered bodice and asymmetric motif on front.
It was a style very popular with movie stars from the 1930s to the 1950s. This style never went completely out of fashion, It made his sensational return from 2010s onwards, with more and more brides looking for a gown that hugging their curves. Today we can say it is a timeless look that will make you stand out with a great statement of personality.
Ready to have fun with the “ style me up like ….”
1930s
Mae West style inspired wedding gowns.
Mae West style inspired wedding dresses: Tony Ward Bridal Collection 2017
On the left: Mae, Sweetheart mermaid dress embellished with curved beadings.
On the right: Rosmerta, Off White mermaid-cut Tulle dress with Silk embroidery and a boat neckline.
Mae West portraits – Photo from the book The Movie box.
Mae West style inspired wedding dress: Alon Livné Bridal Collection 2017: Margot wedding dress.
On the left: Mae West portrait from the book the Movie box.
On the right: Mae West style inspired wedding dress: RIME ARODAKY Mystical Love Collection: Meara, Knit dress with Chantilly lace with details on skirt and cleavage, mermaid hemline.
Photos via CodedPR
On the left Carole Lombard. Photo from the book the movie box.
On the left: Joan Crawford – Photo from the book The Movie box.
On the right: From Galia Lahav Le Secrete Royal Collection: Penélope, Body hugging mermaid dress with sheer peek-a-boo accents. Sheer trumpet sleeves and dreamy silk tulle overlay. It has a low open back, vintage embroidery with crystal accents.
Photo courtesy of Galia Lahav.
The 1940s
Rita Hayworth style.
Rita Hayworth style inspired wedding dress: From Rime Arodaky Mystical Love Collection 2017: Pearl, Tight dress in transparent sequin embroidered tulle and thin straps, mermaid hemline.
Clip that I made from my own copy of DVD
I definitely fall in love with this Rita Ora's Vivienne Westwood Gold Label Fishtail Mermaid Gown that remainds me the fishtail dress worn by Hayworth in Pal Joy, anyone else?
Photo courtesy of 1stdibs
Lena Horne style
Lena was a rare talents on stage and in movies, she was more than a Hollywood star, she always outspoken on the subject of civil rights. Her alluring stage presence, and enchanting sense of style and stunning beauty were pure Old Hollywood perfection. Let's take a look back at the impeccable style of our siren, for a wedding ready style inspiration.
Lena Horne style inspired wedding dress: From Alon Livné Bridal Collection 2017: Gisele.
Lena wearing a stunning satin mermaid gown. Photo from the book Miss Lena Horne.
Lena Horne style inspired wedding dresses: Monique Lhuillier Bridal Collection Fall 2017. On the left: Hailee style, on the right Lennox style.
On the left: Lena Horne portrait. Photo from the book Miss Lena Horne.
On the right: Lena Horne style inspired wedding dress:Theia Bridal Couture 2017: Lenni, Sleeveless cutaway jewel neck crunchy sequin gown with illusion cutout back, mermaid hemline.
Photo courtesy of Theia Couture.
1950s
Marylin Monroe Style.
Let's start with the Orange pink chiffon dress worn by Marilyn in the movie “Gentlemen prefer blondes”. In the movie Marilyn wore this dress when she and Jane Russel enter the ship’s ballroom for dinner.
Photos from the Book "The Timeless Dresses of William Travilla Designed for a Hollywood Star"
Clip that I made from my own copy of DVD
On the left: The sketch for the orange and pink dress for the dress worn by Marilyn in “Gentlemen prefer Blondes”. In this Sketch all that is missing is the beading of the final version.
On the right: A personal gown of Marilyn designed by William Travilla, over the years he designed many of Marilyn’s personal dresses and the more dramatic gown were made as part of the movie process to wear them on events such as premieres or award.
Photos from the Book "The Timeless Dresses of William Travilla Designed for a Hollywood Star"
In the quintessential 50s Rock film “The Girl Can't Help it”, Abbey Lincoln, performed the song “Spread the Word” wearing the same famous dress that Marilyn Monroe had previously worn in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.
For a change of dress before to rock the night away, let be inspired by Galia Lahav the Black Pearl Collection, the new evening collection inspired by stories of Pirates and Mermaids: Laira.
On the left: A rare candid shot of Marilyn on set of the movie ‘There’s no Business like Show Business (1954)
On the right: Travilla’s sketch of the blue dress worn by Marilyn in the closing scene of the movie ‘There’s no Business like Show Business (1954).
Photos from the Book "The Timeless Dresses of William Travilla Designed for a Hollywood Star"
Clip that I made from my own copy of DVD
On the left: Marilyn is dancing in the movie “The Prince and the Showgirl” (1957)
Clip that I made from my own copy of DVD
From Antonio Riva Flying Away Bridal Collection: Serena, Strapless mermaid with a fitted mikado bodice and the frilled organza from the knee down to the hemline. Mikado belt tied up in the front with a bow.
Dorothy Dandridge Style.
American actress and singer Dorothy Dandridge performs on stage in 1954 and in a portrait where she wears a dress designed for her by William Travilla.
Photos from the Book "The Timeless Dresses of William Travilla Designed for a Hollywood Star"
Dorothy Dandrige style inspired wedding dress: Peter Langner Bridal Collection 2017: Scarlett, mermaid gown in silk magnolia with a twist at the neckline.
On the left: Dorothy Dandridge performance on stage. Photo from the book Movie stars in the Golden Age.
On the right: Stunning Mermaid Wedding Dress Featuring Allover Embroidery on Net with Horsehair Edged, Flounced Organza Skirt. Morilee wedding gown.
Photos via CodedPR
Jayne Mansfield wears the white dress with the diamond shaped illusion in “The girl can’t help it” 1956.
Jayne Mansfield style inspired wedding dress: Julie Vino Napoli Colletion.
Photos via CodedPR.
On the left: Jayne Mansfield and Mickey Hargitay's wedding on January 13, 1958. The actress is wearing along sleveed lace mermaid wedding gown.
I would like to thank all the bridal designers, who have made this journey through "The Hollywood’s sirens” possible.
I would like to thank them all for their kindness and openness, always willing to cooperate and share their amazing works.
Thanks to all of you visitors, that you've joined me.
Marcella Lavarini
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