This compilation of fashion and design films is filled with spectacular footage of vintage fashion shows, interviews, advertisements, promotional, high fashion, western wear, dresses, fabrics, and so much more.
Included Content:
The Story of a Star
Length: 9 Minutes | Produced:1956
Behold the beauty of nylon!. This innovative luxury had everyone talking, since the ?beauty zone??the area between the ankle and the knee?was the sight to see during this era. Women struggled with stockings before the stretchable nylon, and The Story of a Star was made to present a new and improved product that would ease their frustration. Even though it could be seen as a stereotypical video, it does portray women in the 1950s as beautiful and stylish. An interesting and rather humorous cinematic discovery, The Story of a Star is a cultural step back in time.
Newsreel: Union Square Fashion Show
Length: 1 Minutes | Produced:1950
This is a 1950s newsreel on a San Francisco fashion show at Union Square. At every turn of the runway eye popping models and fashions dazzle the packed park of spectators.
Modes Of The Moment
Length: 3 Minutes | Produced:1917
Beautiful women in gorgeous clothes from a 1917 fashion show. Silent footage.
Western Fashions
Length: 1 Minutes | Produced:1940s
Squaw dresses and cowgirl getups are showcased in this brief western fashion newsreel.
Fashions Favorite
Length: 31 Minutes | Produced:1940
This vintage film explains rayons essential role in fashions and fabrics in the 1940s. A stentorian narrator, typical of the time, details the different uses and functions for rayon materials. An in depth examination of the processing and manufacturing of the fiber is also explored in fascinating detail. A window into 1940s thinking, where new technological advents could transform an industry overnight, Fashions Favorite is a wonderful walk through clothing, culture and industry in a progressive decade in American history.
Fitting Faces
Length: 8 Minutes | Produced:1940
Fitting Faces is a highly enjoyable vintage film that stresses beauty and conformity through choosing the proper eyeglasses. The video is filled with funny lines like, look at that beautiful face then after adding glasses, but oh no shes ruined it all! On top of all the comedy, the movie makes common sense statements about beauty and fashion - including rigid guidelines. Why, if someone has a long face then they need long hair to match it! The examples of poor fashion in the film often match current or recent trends to great irony. Overall, Fitting Faces is tons of fun and full of historical significance.
Hair Dress Through the Ages
Length: 10 Minutes | Produced:1950
This is a ridiculous short film about the history of hairstyles (and hats) from cavemen to the renaissance. The narrator provides priceless deadpan commentary as the feature passes quickly and humorously through all of human history. Some of the actors and actresses sporting absurd wigs and hats add extra entertainment with their various looks of disgust or confusion regarding their wacky hairdos. Played strictly for silliness, Hair Dress Through the Ages is a hoot that just gets better and better.
Pattern for Smartness
Length: 19 Minutes | Produced:1948
A wonderful video that teaches Home Economics from the 40s! Pattern for Smartness is a funny, overstated social guidance film that teaches young ladies about the know how look which involves strict rules on fashion and clothing styles. The vintage 1940s fashions are engaging, as well as the cultural attitudes that they demonstrate. The film also takes a look at home sewing and clothes making. This film is a superb classroom resource for either a Home Economics class or US History - and also just a funny and enjoyable film for any interested viewer.
Fashion Horizons
Length: 19 Minutes | Produced:1940
Light, fun, and full of sexy Hollywood starlets, Fashion Horizons is a classic film on clothing, dress, and style from the 1940s. With the gorgeous Mary Martin, among many other movie stars, the film radiates that combination of subtle sex and classy dress that made classic actresses so irresistible. Touring the United States Southwest, Martin and her Hollywood friends take tours through various US cities - in various extravagant outfits. Furs, coats, luxurious hats, and delightful dresses from the 40s and late 30s are showcased brilliantly on screen. With a breezy tone and beautiful women, Fashion Horizons is a highly enjoyable way to explore vintage fashion.
Aristocrats of Fashion
Length: 7 Minutes | Produced:1940s
This film describes fashions in the 30s and 40s. Most of the styles are unflattering by todays standards, but the young women at this social gathering do almost nothing but admire one anothers clothes made out of rayon fabric. Though incomplete due to damaged 16mm film, the video is still highly illuminating for a different time in the history of fashion.
Harpers Bazaar Talks Fashion
Length: 10 Minutes | Produced:1970s
A fascinating look at 1970s clothing, Harpers Bazaar Talks Fashion is an engrossing snapshot of style in a turbulent period of American history. Though incomplete due to a damaged print, the film is still a valuable exploration of groovy seventies clothes.