From the stock market crashing in 1929, women were moving from the Garçonne looks of the 1920s back to the floor-length hems and natural waists, (“How Crises Has Affected Fashion through History | Luxiders Magazine” 2020). Affected by the crash, many people looked for an escape from the hard times. One way to escape was with the prominent figures within the movie industry offered by Hollywood, which was the theme of our showcase. Reinforcing our theme by incorporating photos and iconography of the celebrities at the time, the case encapsulates the theme of Hollywood Glamor.

Of the many celebrities at the time, we decided to feature the most prominent, Joan Crawford and Jean Harlow. With upwards of twenty to thirty movies from both stars, these two women were looked up to by many women, (“Joan Crawford Dies at Home: Joan Crawford, Screen Star, Dies in Manhattan Home” 2024/ (“Jean Harlow, Film Star, Dies in Hollywood at 26 after an Illness of Only a Few Days…” 2024). Both stars died in their twenties due to health related reasons but their stardom continued on into the late thirties. With this influence, many women were trying to copy their styles across the U.S. even in a time of hardship for the economy. One item that was easily copied during the market crash was great depression quilts.

Our display prominently features a variety of items, with a handmade great depression quilt serving as the backdrop. These quilts were a popular piece at the time as they were easy to make and was used for a multitude of things. You can easily identify one of these quilts from their scrappy, collage like style, (“The Quilt Index” 2024). On both sides of the case are gowns from this period, each offering distinct characteristics. The peach colored gown on the left features a mid-length skirt with a swooping neckline, while the dark purple gown on the right features, a floor-length skirt, a higher neckline, long sleeves in the Leg-O-Mutton style, and intricate button detailing along the sides of both sleeves.

Moving inward, we have showcased a few accessories of the time. In the photos you can see two hats in the distinct styles of the period; there was a significant emphasis on accessories in women's fashion during the 1930s. The hat on the left makes a bold statement with large pink feathers cascading along its side and towards the front, while the hat on the right, though less expressive, features a wide brim and a pleated spiral effect on the top. Smaller accessories also had a significant role during this period, including a peach/cream-colored clutch purse with intricate beadwork; also featured is a pair of navy lace gloves crafted in a wide-net knotted design.Finally, we included a pair of heels with a large rhinestoned metal square. To tie everything together for the display.

This was a fun project for us. Getting to look through time through clothing was something none of us had ever experienced before and it was an awesome experience. Being able to share pieces from historical moments in time was something we loved and hope to have another chance at doing in the future.

Thanks!

Pumps of black velvet with heavy metal curved square embellished with rhinestones on vamp. oregondigital.org. https://oregondigital.org/concern/images/df711k481

The Ice Follies of 1939 (1939). IMDb. Accessed March 4, 2024. https://m.imdb.com/title/tt0031470/mediaviewer/rm4030533376

Vintage Sewing Pattern Ladies’ 1920s Flapper Dress 3056 With Low Cut Back 36 Bust INSTANT DOWNLOAD - Etsy. www.etsy.com. Accessed March 4, 2024. https://www.etsy.com/listing/474820707/vintage-sewing-pattern-ladies-1920s

McDowell C. Madeleine Vionnet (1876-1975). The Business of Fashion. Published August 23, 2015.https://www.businessoffashion.com/articles/news-analysis/madeleine-vionnet-1876-1975/

Reddy K. 1930-1939 | Fashion History Timeline. Fitnyc.edu. Published April 5, 2019. https://fashionhistory.fitnyc.edu/1930-1939/

Murtaugh T. What Most People Don’t Know About Jean Harlow’s Death at 26 Years Old. Country Living. Published September 19, 2017. https://www.countryliving.com/life/entertainment/a44839/jean-harlow-death/

Humanities NE for the. Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, April 07, 1932, Image 11. chroniclingamerica.loc.gov. https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83045462/1932-04-07/ed-1/seq-11/?loclr=blogser. Published April 7, 1932. Accessed March 4, 2024.

“Film | MoMA.” n.d. The Museum of Modern Art. https://www.moma.org/collection/terms/film/experimentation-with-sound#:~:text=On%20October%206%2C%201927%2C%20Warner.

Parmar, Shaelei. 2020. “How Crises Has Affected Fashion through History | Luxiders Magazine.” Sustainable Fashion - Eco Design - Healthy Lifestyle - Luxiders Magazine. April 12, 2020. https://luxiders.com/crises-fashion/#:~:text=But%2C%20the%201929%20stock%20market.

Reddy, Karina. 2019. “1930-1939 | Fashion History Timeline.” Fitnyc.edu. Fashion Institute of Technology. April 5, 2019. https://fashionhistory.fitnyc.edu/1930-1939/.

Thomas, Heather. 2021. “Women’s Fashion History through Newspapers: 1921-1940 | Headlines and Heroes.” Blogs.loc.gov. Library of Congress. July 20, 2021. https://blogs.loc.gov/headlinesandheroes/2021/07/womens-fashion-history-through-newspapers-1921-1940/.

“The Quilt Index.” 2024. Quiltindex.org. 2024. https://quiltindex.org/view/?type=essays&kid=7-108-1.

By PETER B. FLINT. 1977. "Joan Crawford Dies at Home: Joan Crawford, Screen Star, Dies in Manhattan Home." New York Times (1923-), May 11, 1. https://oregonstate.idm.oclc.org/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/historical-newspapers/joan-crawford-dies-at-home/docview/123327256/se-2.

Special to THE NEW YORK TIMES. 1937. "Jean Harlow, Film Star, Dies in Hollywood at 26 After an Illness of Only a Few Days: JEAN HARLOW, STAR OF THE FILMS, DIES Entrance into Films an Extra in Two Pictures FILM LEADERS PAY TRIBUTE Hollywood Notables Eulogize their Associate, Jean Harlow." New York Times (1923-), Jun 08, 1. https://oregonstate.idm.oclc.org/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/historical-newspapers/jean-harlow-film-star-dies-hollywood-at-26-after/docview/102206471/se-2.

All Object Identification Numbers 

• Pumps of black velvet with heavy metal curved square embellished with rhinestones on vamp

  • Identifier: 1900.006.004

• Dress of pastel pink organdy has scoop neckline and short puffy

  •  sleeves Identifier: 1986.030.011

• Capulet Collar of coyote fur in varying shades of browns, pale grey, and golden orange

  • Identifier: 2019.005.004

• Dress of pale peach charmeuse with an over-layer of silk tulle

  •  Identifier: 1985.005.031

• Hat of black straw with shallow crown and wide brim 

  • Identifier: 1991.005.049

• Picture hat of light tan (camel) of new wool felt with grosgrain ribbon band with bow in back and jeweled hatpin 

  • Identifier: 1981.001.015

  •  Identifier: 1989.031.011