FashionFriday // Joan Crawford
Crawford was one of the most glamorous women in, and the quintessential star product of Hollywood’s Golden Age. And oh my gosh there are a lot of photos of her that I’m very sure have been used as inspiration for designers today.
JC reigned as one of Old Hollywood's top actresses for the duration of her career, from the late '20s to '70s.
Born Lucille Fay LeSueur, was named by the public. MGM studio listed a $1,000 prize for her naming contest after the actress signed a contract with the studio. Crawford was the winning name, however I’ve read the actress hated the stage name.
Crawford was one of the most successful stars at MGM by the mid 30’s, becoming one of the highest paid women in Hollywood. “There was a saying around MGM: Norma Shearer got the productions, Greta Garbo supplied the art, and Joan Crawford made the money to pay for both.” — Joan Crawford
In one of her most popular years she made 4 movies in that year alone. After a dry spell when she was declared box office poison and left out of prime roles. Crawford left MGM, signed to Warner Brothers and landed her biggest role yet in Mildred Pierce, for which she won an Oscar.
While Hollywood has no shortage of divas, none can hold a candle up to Joan. She was fastidious, bordering on obsessive about her beauty routine and a trendsetter for her day, becoming known for her big bright eyes, which she rinsed twice a day with a boric acid solution, daily ice washes, and her signature arched eyebrows which she developed in the early '30s.
Crawford had a long running feud with fellow leading lady, Bette Davis. The bad blood between the actresses was said to have escalated after Crawford's marriage to Franchot Tone, who Davis had reportedly been in love with. With there careers fading they used to intrigue surrounding their long running spat to build publicity for a new movie starred alongside each other- Whatever Happened To Baby Jane. Another well known movie for both actresses.
The story of this rivalry is played out in Ryan Murphy's series Feud. If you’re looking for a must watch binge worthy series, this is amazing. Susan Sarandon stars as Bette Davis opposite Jessica Lange's Joan Crawford.
Crawford married 4 times and adopted 4 children. Although I don’t think she performed the mother role very well.
📷1: Sequin cape by Gilbert Adrian, for her movie Sadie McKee.
📷2: Tiered ruffle dress gown by Adrian, 1933
📷3: publicity photo by George Hurrell for Letty Lynton, 1932
📷4: Polka dot gown 1934, photo by George Hurell
📷5: Stripes and ruffles in a publicity photo for Sadie McKee, 1934, wearing a dress by Adrian
📷6: B&W sequin gown, a publicity photo for Letty Lynton, 1932, wearing a gown by Adrian
📷7: Black with white random ruffled 1933, wearing a gown by Adrian
📷8: publicity photo for Mildred Pierce (Michael Curtiz, 1945), her Oscar winner
📷9: Sleeve detail 😍 unknown date
📷10: Sequin gown worn on a staircase 😍
CRAWFORD QUOTES
“The fact that a thing has never been done doesn’t prove that it can’t be.” – Joan Crawford.
“If you’re going to be a star, you have to look like a star, and I never go out unless I look like Joan Crawford the movie star. If you want to see the girl next door, go next door.” — Joan Crawford
“I have always known what I wanted, and that was beauty… in every form.” — Joan Crawford
“Why, just the business of letting yourself want something…letting yourself want it with all of you…is important. If you don’t want things intensely, you won’t get them. What’s more, you don’t deserve to get them!” — Joan Crawford