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