1930s Archives - Page 2 of 4

Out & About: Fred Astaire’s tuxedo on exhibit at the RISD Museum

In today's post, FIDM Museum Registrar Meghan Grossman Hansen describes the process of preparing objects for transport to exhibitions at other institutions. FIDM Museum has an active loan program, and we often have 1 or more objects on exhibit at museums... Read Article ››

Chanel day dress, c. 1937

Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel's (1883-1971) reputation is staked primarily on her exploration of menswear-inspired suits and her promotion of the understated little black dress. Though these creations are an important part of her aesthetic, her... Read Article ››

Ferragamo Tavarnelle lace high heels, mid-1930s

Salvatore Ferragamo c.1935-36 Permanent Loan, FIDM 2009.25.2AB Fantasy footwear flourished during the 1930s, and Salvatore Ferragamo (1898-1960) was the leader in crafting shoes from unusual materials. At this time, his luxury output was completely handmade... Read Article ››

Bakelite cherry brooch, late 1930s

Cherry and log brooch c. 1935-1940 Gift of Steven Porterfield 2010.897.49 Can you imagine a world without plastic? Overwhelmingly ubiquitous today, plastic has been in existence for less than 200 years. Prior to the last quarter of the 19th... Read Article ››

Fashion Birthday: Madeleine Vionnet

French couturier Madeleine Vionnet was born on this day in 1876. Born in Chilleurs-aux-Bois, about 75 miles from Paris, Vionnet was apprenticed to a local dressmaker at age 11. She spent several years in this first apprenticeship, moving to a... Read Article ››

Boudoir slippers, c. 1939

Boudoir slippers c. 1939 Daniel Green Gift of Kevin Jones 2008.155.3AB In the 1937 article, "Mules: The More the Merrier," Vogue claimed that, "all women are slipper collectors."1 Though this is probably an... Read Article ››

Wiener Werkstatte girl’s ensemble

Wiener Werkstatte c. 1930 2005.5.170AB Museum Purchase Founded in 1903 by architect Josef Hoffman and artist Kolomon Moser, the Wiener Werkstatte (Vienna Workshop) was a group of artists, designers and craftsman dedicated to combining artistry and... Read Article ››

Fred Astaire’s dancing shoes

Tap Shoes Worn by Fred Astaire, c. 1930sSuede, leather & metal tapsDepartment of Recreation and Parks, City of Los Angeles/FIDM MuseumL88.1.125AB By the time he first appeared in a Hollywood film in 1933, Fred Astaire was already an experienced... Read Article ››

Mae West objects on display

Originally posted in 2009, this post explores Mae West's larger-than-life persona. Visit the 20th Annual Art of Motion Picture Costume Design exhibition to see one of Mae West's corsets and a pair of her platform shoes on exhibit. The... Read Article ››

Sandy Powell on her costume designs for Hugo

Tremendous thanks to costume designer Sandy Powell for answering a few questions about her costume designs for Hugo. Powell also shared some of her costume sketches, which you'll see throughout this post. See a selection of Hugo costumes at the... Read Article ››

Blanche and Simone velvet hat, c. 1930-33

The 1931 Paris Exposition Coloniale Internationale was designed to showcase the artistic and cultural achievements of France's colonial possessions, while also demonstrating the mutual benefits of the colonial relationship. At the time... Read Article ››

Movie Modes hat

During the 1930s, Hollywood films were a major influence on fashion. Movie screens were "huge, luminous shop windows," offering viewers an opportunity to browse the latest creations from talented costume designers.1 Despite the Depression,... Read Article ››

1930s

1930s

Out & About: Fred Astaire’s tuxedo on exhibit at the RISD Museum

Chanel day dress, c. 1937

Ferragamo Tavarnelle lace high heels, mid-1930s

Bakelite cherry brooch, late 1930s

Fashion Birthday: Madeleine Vionnet

Boudoir slippers, c. 1939

Wiener Werkstatte girl’s ensemble

Fred Astaire’s dancing shoes

Mae West objects on display

Sandy Powell on her costume designs for Hugo

Blanche and Simone velvet hat, c. 1930-33

Movie Modes hat

Contact

Hours

Resources

About

FIDM Museum