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While flipping through the December 1938 issue of Photoplay I have I was really taken with this ad. Wouldn’t it be the perfect holiday dress?
This is the second ad of this kind that I have seen in my magazine stash in which Double Mint Gum paired with Simplicity Patterns and a famous star of the day. The star in this ad is the beautiful Deanna Durbin, a personal favorite of mine. The pattern advertised is Simplicity 2951. Do any of you have it, dear readers? I would love to compare the pattern envelope to the ad!
This ad claims the gown was designed by Vera West, a costume designer in Hollywood who was mostly known for monster flicks, ironically (read this interesting, if sad, article for more on Vera West). But I have to wonder- did the design team at Simplicity catch wind of the dress and make a copy? Or did Miss West actually design the gown herself for both Deanna Durbin and the pattern company? I’ll leave you to decide.
This ad claims the gown was designed by Vera West, a costume designer in Hollywood who was mostly known for monster flicks, ironically (read this interesting, if sad, article for more on Vera West). But I have to wonder- did the design team at Simplicity catch wind of the dress and make a copy? Or did Miss West actually design the gown herself for both Deanna Durbin and the pattern company? I’ll leave you to decide.
Click on the image for a larger version
Happy Wednesday!
Stephanie Lynn
December 22, 2010 at 7:58 pm (14 years ago)>Wow! What a great dress!
Naomi
December 23, 2010 at 3:35 pm (14 years ago)>Love it and my favorite Deanna!
Jaede
December 23, 2010 at 5:26 pm (14 years ago)>What a sad life Miss West had. I love the costuming from those early Universal horror movies. On a brighter note just minutes before reading your post I discovered Deanna Durbin is alive and well living in Paris. That is a fabulous dress !
The Dreamstress
December 25, 2010 at 4:59 am (14 years ago)>Great dress! The lacing detailing is such a fun addition.