Cinema Connection--1930s Marion Davies in Polkadots

Though the polkadot trend this Fall has been attributed to inspiration from the 1940s, September's Marie Claire shows that origins of the look stretch back even farther to the 1930s.  In fact, one of the cinema sirens they show modeling the look is 20s and 30s screen star Marion Davies.

Marion Davies is not as well known as her contemporaries like Jean Harlow and Joan Crawford, making her magazine appearance an even bigger coincidence since I will be shooting the first of GlamAmor's Out & About video series next Monday on location at Marion's former estate. Now the Annenberg Beach House in Santa Monica, the property still includes her original Guest House and pool as well as plenty of stunning stories of Old Hollywood there.  As life partner to William Randolph Hearst and acting partner to A-list co-stars like Clark Gable and Gary Cooper, I look forward to sharing what I continue to learn about Marion's beauty, talent, and all around fascinating life.  Stay tuned.

Cinema Connection--1940s Polkadots on Trend for Fall

The 1940s are a huge trend for Fall 2011 and polkadots are already popping up everywhere.  For inspiration, one only need to turn to Joan Crawford in 1945's Mildred Pierce to see an encapsulation of the decade and its style.  In her Oscar-winning performance, Joan wears both polkadots and the strong-shouldered suits and dresses that she was famous for.  If you haven't seen the movie, be sure to check it out tonight on Turner Classic Movies along with many other films featuring Joan throughout the day dedicated to her in August's Summer Under the Stars.

Kate Winslet and Evan Rachel Wood at HBO's Mildred Pierce Premiere

The leading ladies of HBO's five-part miniseries Mildred Pierce stepped out in their retro best for the premiere last week.  Both Kate Winslet and Evan Rachel Wood chose body conscious dresses that were inspired by stars of Old Hollywood.  I thought Ms. Wood looked absolutely perfect from head to toe and put together a look that I would love to wear myself.  So polished, she looked classic and sexy all at once.

Kate Winslet's dress was a nod to one worn by Joan Crawford in the original Mildred Pierce

Kate wearing a black polkadot dress and vegan strappy stilettos by STELLA McCARTNEY 

paired with a sleek gold clutch by CALVIN KLEIN

Kate recently cropped her blonde locks and it looked amazing in this retro hairstyle for the premiere.  Want to try it on your own hair?  Renato Campora of Frederic Fekkai tells GlamAmor exactly how he achieved the look and how to recreate it for yourself.  

First, prep hair with Fekkai Full Blown Styling Whip mixed with a little Fekkai Ironless Smooth Finish Serum.  Then blow dry using your fingers and allow the ends of your hair to curl a bit.  When completely dry, wrap your hair using heated metal sticks--which can be bought at any beauty supply store--and let it set for 15 minutes.  Shake the curls loose once the sticks are cool and gently iron out the hair section by section.  Updos are always easiest with a little volume and texture to the hair, so apply some Fekkai Au Naturel Dry Shampoo and use bobby pins to secure each section.  Finally, finish with with a spritz of Fekkai Coiff Sheer Hold Hair Spray all over the hair to hold the style in place.

Inspiration for Evan Rachel Wood's look courtesy of Veronica Lake

Evan looking stunning in a slinky plum jersey dress and matching peeptoe pumps 

from ELIE SAAB's Fall 2011 collection

Flawless retro hair and makeup combined with jewelry that could easily be vintage