Liz Hurley was merely Hugh Grants girlfriend and a struggling actress until she turned up wearing this Versace dress to the premier of Four Weddings and a Funeral. Offers came pouring in for Liz, including a very lucrative one from Estee Lauder. Wannabes have been trying to recreate 'That Dress Moment' ever since.
Whilst Prince Charles was spilling the beans on the BBC, Diana turned up to an event wearing this dress, a new beginning for Diana. This was the start of Diana's modern and sexier new look.
It was a far cry from this outfit which became notorious for very different reasons.
Twiggy demonstrating how to wear the 'Mini Dress', hemlines had never been so short.
Coco Chanel may have been the creator of 'The Little Black Dress' but nobody did it better than Audrey in 'Breakfast at Tiffany's'
Marilyn created ripples in this dress which she had to be sewn into. Singing Happy Birthday to JFK at Madison Square Garden.
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Not sure if it was the dress, Anita Ekbergs impressive proportions or the fact that she was cavorting in The Trevi Fountain but it has become one of the most iconic moments in cinematic history.
Christian Dior caused outrage when he launched 'The New Look' in 1947, people were upset that he used so much fabric in a single dress or suit, fabric was still being rationed as a result of shortages in World War II. During one photo shoot in a Paris market, the models were attacked by female vendors over the profligacy of their dresses—but opposition ceased as the wartime shortages ended. The New Look revolutionized women's dress and re-established Paris as the centre of the fashion world after World War II.
Rita Hayworth raised eyebrows and blood pressures when she wore this dress in 'Gilda' the image became one of the most popular pin ups of the twentieth century. Rita Hayworth famously said; "People go to bed with Gilda, they wake up with me"
I believe Jessica Rabbit was inspired by Gilda
The scandalous Wallace Simpson, became an unlikely style icon after wearing this Mainbocher dress for her wedding.
Elderly Edwardians must have got a shock when hemlines were raised in the twenties followed by the flapper era, they were not used to seeing ankles let alone knees!
Wishing You all A Fabulous Weekend.
Hi Dash, what fun pictures, you are so clever at putting these theme posts together. I think my favourite in this lot is Twiggy, although many of the dresses take the breath away!
ReplyDeleteAlways had trouble understanding the Simpson charm, but that's probably just me being short sighted.
Sharon
Another THAT dress moment was Marilyn's white dress which was blown upwards.
ReplyDeleteAudrey Hepburn is my favourite. Such style!
Sharon, I agree, I have never really seen the appeal in Wallace Simpson, in fact I thought she was rather ugly inside and out!
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Sarah, you are right, I left out that famous image of Marilyn on purpose to see if anyone would notice.
I agree with you about Audrey, she is my favourite too.
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Oh, what a fabulous post!! I loved all the pictures and bits of information. What fabulous dresses!
ReplyDeleteSuch a great post - thank you so much - thoroughly enjoyed reading all about and looking at these notorious dresses. x
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I love the Twiggy dresses. Many years ago I had my hair cut just like Twiggy's and failed miserably at the eyeliner and lashes...
ReplyDeleteGreat post .. we must have a telepathy going on today .. I have posted about style v fashion.. and have used similar photos .. same Audrey one :)
ReplyDeleteLove Rita Hayworth as Gilda and always loved the Twiggy look xx
Cant stand Wallace Simpson's look .. never did but she must have been great in the sack !!
Ruth, I have read that Wallace was a bit of a dominatrix in the bedroom, allegedly The Duke of Windsor was into this. Just looking at pictures of her gives me the creeps, she definitely has a touch of the 'Mrs Danvers' I am almost tempted to take her off this post, still she was a style icon, must be objective.
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What lovely images to end the week on. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteI remember the picture of Princess Di's arrival to the art gallery in London, wearing this fabulous black outfit, designed by, I think Catherine Walker (?)! She steals the show!
ReplyDeleteLove these fabulous moments and how they capture an era! Another inspired post, Dash! And I do agree on the Wallace Simpson comments! Have a wonderful weekend!
ReplyDeleteFantastic post again Dash! The Liz Hurley dress feels like yesterday to me but was SO long ago now! I love Rita Hayworth and Anita Ekberg for the glamour and Audrey's is a classic. I remember Di's Catherine Walker dress at the Serpentine too, quite something at the time and much sexier than her usual look. I think Wallis was definitely a dominatrix! I've never liked her face and I don't think the fact she was stick thin enough to get into sample size Givenchy and Shiaparelli made up for it. Have a wonderful weekend xx
ReplyDeleteHi what a fabulous selection of photos for a dreary May morning, thank you. I love your selection of paintings too and that is an amazing photo of the unique Charlotte Rampling. Fabulous xx
ReplyDeleteYou put so much effort into your blog posts and they are so entertaining. All those gorgeous women in their wonderful dresses - how I would yearn for any of their bodies. It must be so wonderful to turn heads wherever you go.
ReplyDeleteI agree with FF, they all had spectacular bodies and style sense.
ReplyDeleteLovely post Dash
ReplyDeleteAudrey always stands out as the class act! Love many of these but not fussed on Liz Hurley's dress.. Perhaps they just did it better in a past era..... Love the image of Fellini's Sylvia .. been on my brain lately or at least Rome is.. xx
My grandmother was working at Bob Mackie when one day she saw that exact Gilda dress on table - in tatters. She asked Bob, "Isn't this Rita Hayworth's dress from Gilda?" Bob said, "Yes, we have to make copies of it for the skit Carole is doing. And Rita Hayworth is will be on the show as a special guest." My grandmother who was his fitter, attended that fitting to meet Rita Hayworth in person. And she said the dress was amazing, it had a corset built inside, and was tiny and long.
ReplyDeleteDear Ms Dash, what a fab blog, I adore these pictures of infamous dresses, so glad I have found you!
ReplyDeleteI so adore those Dior suits.
ReplyDeleteBeing a little bit scandalous is loads of fun!
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