Fashion Of The 1940s And Industry

The fashion industry is a cut-throat industry. OftenFor instance, women had their eyebrows either
aspiring designers can't just climb their way to thetweezed or painted on very thin and very defined.
top, they have to claw their way there, and mostThey also wore their lipstick in what was called a
never make it. However don't be discouraged, a"cupid's bow" which was where the
handful of them do make it. I think that it would beupper lip was accentuated rather than the fuller,
the more career savvy decision for you to move tobottom lip.
the United States, preferably New York City.The hair was worn in a loose "finger
However, the choice is yours. Montreal and Torontowave." If you really want to see a true lady of
are both modern, great cities that I'm sure wouldthe 1940's, I suggest you rent the movie
have plenty of opportunities. However, if you really"Chinatown," Faye Dunaway's character
want this, my advice would be to move to NYC. IEvelyn really captures a woman of the 1940's.
don't really know if successful European andBack to clothing, silk stockings were a wardrobe
American designers travel to Canada to helpstaple for any 1940's woman. However, the United
students, but I'm sure if you enroll in a fine designStates was rationing silk, being in the midst of World
school in Canada you would have some designerWar II. So the only silk stockings woman could get
guests, as most schools do.their hands on had a very noticeable line down the
The International Academy of Design andback of them. In order to hide this, women would
Technology (located in both Toronto and Montreal),take a permanent marker and draw down the back
the Ontario College of Art and Design, the Senecaof their legs in order to hide the large run in their
College of Applied Arts & Technology, and thestockings.
Superior Fashion School of Montreal are all greatThe basic silhouette for women from the 40's was
schools that you might want to look into, if youbroad shoulders, a small corseted waist and full hips.
haven't already. I have no idea as to what your oddsFabrics were very light as many new synthetics
are when it comes to working with designers like Diorwere being introduced. Also, while Hollywood glamour
and Dolce and Gabbing, nobody can really determinewas very 'in', the US was at war at the time,
that.rationing was in effect and many women were not
It's all really a matter of how badly you want it, andable to afford things like pantyhose and stockings.
how hard you are willing to work. I don't really thinkOne thing women did at the time was draw a line of
the five best fashion jobs in Canada differ from thethe back of the leg to make it look like they were
five best fashion jobs in any other country. Also, Iwearing stockings, even if they weren't. (silk
don't think anyone can determine what the five beststockings had seams). Shoes had a heel and a slight
fashion jobs are in any major country/city, as it is allplatform. Round toes, peep toes and ankle straps
just a matter of taste. Merchandising, marketing,were common. If you're looking for famous 40's
photography, journalism....the list is endless. Fashion inwomen to model your look after I'd look for images
Canada is nowhere near as in demand fashion is inof Veronica Lake, Rita Hayworth or Ingrid Bergman.
Europe and the USA. If you want the REAL fashionAll had the classic '40's' look.
industry, head to New York, Paris, or Milan.One of the most effective ways of communicating
The 1940's was a very glamorous era in the history40's fashion is through hair and make-up. Hair was
of fashion. The stars of the day that you wouldworn long, smooth with intricate finger waves.
probably be interested in researching would be:Make-up was striking and simple. A dramatically
Katharine Hepburn, Gary Cooper, Joan Crawford,arched brow, liquid black liner (ONLY on the upper lid)
Spencer Tracy, Vivien Leigh, Judy Garland, Caryand bright classic red lipstick. But very matte, no
Grant, Lauren Bacall, and Humphrey Bogart. Each ofgloss ever. You mentioned the New Look, but that
these stars had a style all their own. Kate Hepburn,style didn't debut until the late 40's and didn't become
especially helped usher in a new style, in that shemore popular until the 50's. With the new look
always wore slacks, she was hardly ever seen inshoulder silhouettes became more 'soft', the waist
gowns or skirts, this was extremely rare for thatwas worn more tightly corseted and hips became
day, she was definitely ahead of her time. Women ofeven fuller.
the 1940's emulated what they saw on the screen.