:: style inspiration – norma shearer ::
When many people list their favorite movie star “style icons” of the 1930s, the names that spring to mind are Joan Crawford. Carole Lombard, Jean Harlow and Marlene Dietrich. But I honestly think my favorite of that decade is Norma Shearer. I first fell in love with her style when I read Gowns by Adrian years ago. There was something different about her from the other stars of the period. She had to work to convince the studios to let her have the more “star-appropriate” parts, and that she could shed her wholesome look for something a little more vampish. From Marie Antoinette, to a wild divorcee, she always lent elegance and poise to her roles.
Although I love The Women (probably my favorite chick flick!), I think she was most stunning in The Divorcee. Her determination to be a star really shines through in all her films; it wasn’t easy to climb to the top for her, but she certainly had the perseverance to get there!
This website has some great pictures and information on Norma!
I’m getting ready to go on a “mini-vacation” with my sister this weekend, but I’m hoping to be able to post on Friday. Have a splendid Wednesday, my friends!
Posted on July 2nd, 2008 to fashion, style inspiration.
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:: for the love of frizzy hair :: »11 lovely thoughts to “:: style inspiration – norma shearer ::”
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Heather says:
Norma is a favourite of mine too. She definitely is a style icon – so classy.
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Sal says:
Although I am perpetually drawn to styles and silhouettes from days gone by, I’m embarrassed to admit that I mainly look to modern icons who incorporate retro flair: Blanchett, Johansson, and their ilk. You’ve inspired me to go to the source, Casey! Norma is simply fabulous. She looks so incredibly different in each of these photos. Even her facial features seem to shift. Amazing. And the outfits. Well, DROOL!
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Blaze Danielle says:
Oh fun! I love how there are “different worlds” one can learn about! Like, I don’t know many different fashion designers, but I know other kinds of artists! It’s so great to learn more about another field through you and your blog! Thanks for showing us so many inspiring posts!
And have fun with your sis! I’ll email you soon!
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Brittany(aka Ruby) says:
You have to love Norma,she did have so much versality. It’s a shame that she had to fight a bit to prove it. Did you know the photographer George Hurrell was instrumental in helping Norma showcase her vampier side?
Great icon pick.
I also adore Myrna Loy. -
elizabeth of course says:
Lord, that last dress in marvelous!
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Laura says:
Another new find for me, keep them coming! Have a fun weekend
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oonaballoona says:
i just stopped by to cut and paste your url for a little bloggy award i’ve nominated you for, and i find NORMA! i love this woman, i just watched “the women” for maybe the twentieth time this weekend. it NEVER gets old.
hope you are having an awesome vacay…
oona -
Faith says:
Norma wasn’t particularly beautiful when it came down to it, but she was the kind of woman you would stop and look at on the street – despite being so chic, she had that something extra which is what made her a star. I’m not sure whether that was born or whether it was made (by Thalberg, Adrian and Hurrell, the three men who really created a star through her films, clothes and photographs) but it didn’t really matter. On screen, you can’t take her eyes off her.
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Rhiannon says:
Oh wow, I agree–her clothes in The Divorcee are so pretty!!! I have to say that I love a bunch of her movies (pre-codes and The Women especially!) but I’ve never been a Norma Shearer fan. Joan Crawford is so perfectly bitchy and funny in The Women that it makes it a little hard to like poor Norma’s character. But she still does get to wear some great clothes in that movie too.
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Ari says:
Hey Casey! I’m a longtime lurker on your blog/flickr… I absolutely love your stuff, you are so creative!
I just wanted to let you know that I just used some of your images in my new blog. Don’t worry, I’ve cited you as the source, I was just wondering if there was a way you preferred to be cited. I just provided a link to your flickr since that was where I got the images but if there’s something you’d prefer, just let me know! Thanks for being such a great resource.-Ari
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ambika says:
Oh, how I love Norma Shearer. It made me sad to read that Norma Desmond was more closely based on her than Gloria Swanson. She really was so fantastically chic and I adored her in ‘The Women.’
I’ve seen her in a silent movie as well and was astonished by what a great transition she made between the sound & silent mediums.
