Out & About--Presenting HISTORY OF FASHION IN FILM at the Annenberg Beach House

On Monday evening, I was honored with the opportunity to present The Style Essentials: History of Fashion in Film 1920s-1930s at the Annenberg Beach House.  What a thrill.  The Style Essentials represent the most iconic costume design in the movies that continues to influence fashion today, so the venue could not have been more perfect.  This is the former beachfront estate of screen star Marion Davies, who was at her peak during the 1920s and 1930s and the social center of of Old Hollywood.  The Beach House is where everyone in Hollywood stayed or played...from the studio heads to the cast to the crew.  Some of the stars included Greta Garbo and John Gilbert, Carole Lombard and Clark Gable, Joan Crawford and Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., and the list goes on.  You can learn all about the history of the Beach House and Marion's career in an Out & About video I did there last year.

The History of Fashion in Film 1920s-1930s is the first part of a much larger presentation I first did at FIDM at the end of the summer and has expanded into a class I will be teaching at Woodbury University this January.  There are 50 movies from the 1920s to the 1970s that are the best of the best, and Monday I started with style icons from the beginning of film through the glamorous age of Art Deco.  Stills from the movies along with images from the fashion runways accompanied my discussion of the costumes, costume and fashion designers, stars, and film backstories.  And to show just how much style in the movies influenced style at the time, my friends from Clever Vintage Clothing came all the way from Santa Barbara to bring the event gorgeous gowns from the 1920s and 1930s.

It was an incredible evening.  The spirit of Marion was with us and blessed the night with incredible weather--barely a breath of the wind on the ocean--and a stunning sunset you can see in the photographs.  Adding to the excitement was the fact that every one of the stars making up The Style Essentials from this early era spent time right where we were at the Beach House.  I mean, Marlene Dietrich even lived in the Guest House (below) when she first moved to America.  The event was filled with an enthusiastic and appreciative audience who ranged from fashionistas to vintage experts to classic cinema fans.  This included people of all ages--from their 20s to their 80s--so questions at the end were interesting and stories wonderful.  This included a gal who was friends with Christina Crawford as a child and loved to play dress up in Joan Crawford's closet.  Except the time when Joan unexpectedly came home early after a hard day at the studio.  Mommie Dearest indeed.

I ended the presentation with a celebration of Marion's life, career, and style...including her ongoing influence in fashion.  I loved having the opportunity to showcase what a great an actress she was...working with the best directors, actors (hello, Clark Gable and Gary Cooper), and costume designers like Adrian and Orry-Kelly.  Everyone in the audience expressed their love for the presentation and immediately asked when I would be back with the next part of The Style Essentials--the 1940s-1950s.  Naomi from the Annenberg Beach House was such a great host and really knowledgeable about design...she loved the talk, too, so we may indeed be invited back.  Stay tuned and thanks to everyone for coming!

The original Guest House (above and below right) is where many stars stayed...

Marlene Dietrich is one who even lived there when she first moved to Los Angeles

The front and back of the original 100+ room Beach House mansion

The facade of the new Beach House honors and echos the architecture of the original

My talk was in the glass-walled event space (upper left, under the orange roof),

which was right between the Guest House and the original pool

My view of the sunset from the Neutra-esque space as I set up...
gorgeous, no?

Welcoming attendees in a 1950s belted yellow silk shirtdress and purple suede peeptoe pumps

Night finally falls and the event begins

I gave the presentation alongside examples of gorgeous gowns from the 1920s and 1930s 

courtesy of Clever Vintage Clothing

One moment of the 1920s Style Essentials includes Clara Bow in It (1927)

Clara's little black dress from Travis Banton (on the heels of Chanel's iconic 1926 LBD)

goes from longsleeve for work to sleeveless for her big date

Michelle Obama in Azzedine Alaia for the NATO summit

is one example of the ongoing influence of Clara Bow in It

The packed house included everyone from fashionistas to vintage vendors--

like Vintazia's Susan and Clever Vintage's Sabino and Dave (above)--

to classic cinema fans like Hollywood Legacy's Lana Morgan

Thanks to everyone for coming and I can't wait until next time!

Out & About--Marion Davies in 1927's QUALITY STREET Live at the Annenberg Beach House

Monday night I returned once again to the Annenberg Beach House in Santa Monica at the personal invitation of documentary filmmaker Elaina Archer.  Elaina created Captured on Film: The True Story of Marion Davies along with several other great documentaries on classic cinema and was extremely supportive of my own video on Marion and the Beach House.  Last night she hosted the premiere of Marion's 1927 silent classic Quality Street at the star's former estate.  Though an unusually rainy evening, we in the audience were warmly welcomed and it was exciting to be there.  The movie was set to an original score by Maria Newman, daughter of nine-time Oscar-winner Alfred Newman, and she also led the talented group of musicians who accompanied the movie live.  Her orchestration was incredible, including character themes, recurring emotional moments, and even sound effects like horses trotting down the street and the falling of rain.  It was so amazing to be in the company of a live audience who deeply appreciated the entire experience of the viewing as I did...perhaps especially that was held at the home of Marion herself.

Quality Street is a very good example of Marion's acting talent--she actually plays two parts--and I continue to be amazed at how modern she seems on screen.  She's so dynamic that you forget you're watching a silent picture...you know exactly what she's saying and even thinking by the strength of her eyes and body language.  I really encourage you to see any of her movies if and when you get a chance.  And to see and learn more about Marion Davies, the history of the Annenberg Beach House and Marion Davies' original Guest House, you can check out the video and photo story from my visit at the end of the summer.

Marion's original Guest House at night

Elaina introduces benefactor Robert Board (standing, below left) and

Maria Newman (standing, below center) and the rest of the musicians playing her original score

Quality Street with Marion Davies and Conrad Nagel

The Quality Street wrap party included director Sidney Franklin (next to Marion, on right)

Nighttime water features--Marion's original pool (above) and the Beach House's new fountain

Saying goodbye to the Beach House on this rainy night...but I'll be back

Out & About--All About the Historic Annenberg Beach House in Santa Monica

In addition to the incredible life of 1920s and 30s screen star Marion Davies, her Santa Monica beachfront estate has its own tale to tell.  Built by longtime love, publisher William Randolph Hearst, the estate was Marion's home in Los Angeles while she worked at MGM and Warner Brothers until the late 1930s.  Julia Morgan, Hearst's primary architect--who also designed the palatial San Simeon in Central California--developed the five acre property to consist of a 100+ room mansion, three guest houses, tennis courts, and pools.  Every single person from the heyday of Hollywood worked and played at the Beach House...Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks, Greta Garbo and John Gilbert, Joan Crawford and Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., Jean Harlow and William Powell, Carole Lombard and Clark Gable, and on and on.  

The Beach House was Marion's until she sold it in 1947, and then the place began to struggle somewhat as it changed hands:

• 1947--sold to Joseph Drown, who created the Oceanhouse (Marion's main house converted into a hotel) and the Sand & Sea Club
• 1956--Oceanhouse demolished; Sand & Sea Club continues
• 1959--sold to State of California; Sand & Sea Club continues
• 1990s--sold to City of Santa Monica; Sand & Sea Club turned into 415 PCH
• 1994--Northridge earthquake severely damages all site structures
• 1994 - 2009--City of Santa Monica enlists help of Wallis Annenberg, the Annenberg Foundation, and architect Frederick Fisher to reimagine the property as a combination of historical preservation and a modern, environmentally conscious public space

In today's reincarnation, the Annenberg Beach House, you can see how Marion's mansion served as an architectural inspiration to Fisher who echoed its stately columns in the new community building.  The space offers many things to its visitors: an art gallery, cultural event space, exercise center, and sundeck with incredible views of Santa Monica beach and the Pacific Ocean.  There is also a splashpad in the courtyard between the buildings, the Beach Cafe, and a children's play area that extends out onto the sand.  One of the most impressive aspects about this multi-use property is how the Annenberg Beach House reflects Santa Monica's commitment to sustainability.  The building materials, water efficiency, power, and heating and cooling are all environmentally sound and awarded a Gold LEED rating from the U. S. Green Building Council. It's an incredible role model for other cities and businesses looking to evolve by showing you don't sacrifice anything by going green.

But perhaps my favorite part of the present Beach House are those structures that came from its past--the Guest House and pool.  Marion's original pool--made of marble and once enjoyed by all the luminaries of Old Hollywood as well as Winston Churchill, Charles Lindbergh, and Albert Einstein--now offers itself as a public pool for everyone.  And the original north Guest House has been beautifully restored for all to see as well. You can feel Marion's energy and that of its other famous tenants--Marlene Dietrich, Gloria Swanson, and the Kennedy family among others--within its walls.  Once you take a tour and relax in one of its rooms overlooking the ocean, you'll see that it's a little bit of heaven on earth.

Because I'm a resident of Santa Monica and love the Annenberg Beach House so much, I took my friends there to film the first video of GlamAmor's Out & About series.  We enjoyed the most gorgeous weather you can imagine--sunny and hot with clear blue skies, which is rare right along the coast.  We also enjoyed spending time with the docents, particularly our special guest, Kay Pattison, who passionately shared stories about Marion and the property's history.  Take a look at the video on Marion and the Beach House or these photos that captured some of our incredible day.

The modern design of the Annenberg Beach House (above) echoes the architecture of the

original Beach House and its sprawling Santa Monica estate

Marion on the steps outside the Beach House and

its interiors starting with the reception room

Dining room of the Beach House, imported in its entirety from France, walls and all

Library of the Beach House with paneling from 18th century wood carver Grinling Gibbons

The still standing Guest House is shown above (on right)

and below (on left) as actor John Payne readies to paddle out for a surf

Marion Davies' restored Guest House today

Beach day at the Beach House:  Marigold and white damask cotton fit and flare dress by GlamAmor, 

1960s grape leather frame bag, Jessica Simpson grape suede peeptoe pums, 

pearl and gold drop earrings, pearl choker (repurposed as a bracelet), and gold Ray Ban Aviators

Guest House entryway

The stairway, that Julia Morgan built similar to that in the main house,

and its original Tiffany & Co. chandelier

Special guest for our visit, the passionate and knowledgeable Kay Pattison

The dining room with its original Tiffany & Co. chandelier
filled with photos of their many costume parties

The restored bathrooms upstairs with their incredible tile work, starting with the "Lilypad" bathroom

The living room facing the ocean with its original Tiffany & Co. chandelier 

and original marble fireplace likely chosen from San Simeon's extensive collection

Adjusting Kay's microphone for our opening segment in the living room

Close ups of the restored crown molding (above) and

living room's original Tiffany & Co. chandeliers

View of the beach and ocean from the west-facing porch

View north from the Guest House porch circa 1934

Views west (above) and south toward the Santa Monica Pier where fans 

Marion, Clark Gable, and Carole Lombard used to go to ride the rollercoaster

The pool beneath the original Beach House mansion circa 1929

On today's mezzanine overlooking the pool and ocean

Kay and I discussing the artistry of the pool while Jonathan adjusts for sound

Renovation included bringing in more marble from the Vermont quarry that supplied the original pool

and restoration of the fish pool tiles that are likely from artisans in California

Marion relaxing poolside next to the bridge that's no longer there

Finishing the day with a summery sunset

Images are property of GlamAmor or 

used with permission from BISON ARCHIVE and LIBRARY OF MOVING IMAGES