Fashion

HOLLYWOOD FASHION HISTORY

In 1974, Diana Vreeland organized an exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, devoted to studio designs.

The exhibition's title, Romantic and Glamorous: Hollywood Style, sums up perfectly the way in which traditional "Hollywood style" is perceived. It is seen as synonymous with glamour and opulence. 

Vreeland emphasized this in the exhibition's catalog: "Everything was larger than life.

The diamonds were bigger, the furs were thicker and more luxurious silks, satins, velvets and chiffons, miles and miles of ostrich feathers everything was an exaggeration".

Certainly this is true of archetypal "Hollywood style."

But, arguably, there is another important factor-the way in which cinema can be used to sell most products and, in particular, to disseminate new fashions. As Charles Eckert argues, Hollywood gave consumerism its "distinctive bent"-it influenced the way men and women wanted to look, as well as the cars they chose to drive, and the cigarettes they decided to smoke. 

Gradually, this influence became globalized.

This potential power was not immediately perceived.

However, as early as 1907 there was widespread public interest in the rumored disappearance of Florence Lawrence, the "Biograph Girl." 

A desire to know about the private lives and off-screen activities of the first identifiable stars was apparent at an early stage.

BOLLYWOOD FASHION HISTORY 

People began to experiment on and off screen in the 70's in the Bollywood industry and in India. Western clothing, such as crop tops, large glasses, bikinis, maxi dresses, jumpsuits and platform heels made appearances on screen. Bold and experimental colors and prints were used; polka dots were most notable. Fashion trends have been influenced by Bollywood actresses since the mid-1900s. 

Herewith, our favorite stars and the trends they made famous. Bollywood divas jived on the screen in bell bottoms, platform heels, big sunglasses, jump suits and maxi dresses.

What does Bollywood mean in fashion?

Bollywood dresses encompass many different styles, colors, cuts and designs, inspired by Indian and western fashions. Once upon a time the Bollywood outfits worn in movies were typically quite loud and dramatic, with a focus on creating maximum impact, rather than showcasing 'realism'. Bollywood, Hindi-language sector of the Indian moviemaking industry that began in Bombay (now Mumbai) in the 1930s and developed into an enormous film empire. After early Indian experiments in silent film, in 1934 Bombay Talkies, launched by Himansu Rai, spearheaded the growth of Indian cinema.