The most famous aspect of Marlene’s style is her penchant for menswear. For the legendary actress, clothing was both adornment and subversion. Decades after her death, both remain true. 29 years later, the actress - who would go on to gain US citizenship in 1939 - lit up the screen as a cabaret singer beside Gary Cooper in ‘Morocco’. In 1986, she was even recognized for her fashion contributions by the Council of Fashion Designers of America with a lifetime achievement award. In fact, during this past fashion week, Marlene. Openly bisexual at a time when public non-heteronormative sexuality was barely an option, clothing for Dietrich became not just adornment but subversion. This error message is only visible to WordPress admins, A History of Style: Fashion Inspired by Marlene Dietrich, Geek Chic: Fashion Inspired by The Lord of the Rings, Movie Inspiration: Fashion Inspired by Top Gun, What to Wear When It’s Really Cold: 4 Outfits for Below-Freezing Temperatures, 15 Best Shackets You Need in Your Wardrobe This Fall.

With lighting, film editing, costuming, and makeup, she developed the tools to create visuals of herself that perpetuated an elegant, mysterious on- and off- screen persona. In fact, she had learned how to impeccably craft her image early on in her career. While all three of those women have enviable styles that we absolutely love, there are so many other fashionable women that have graced the history pages. 29 years later, the actress - who would later gain US citizenship in 1939 - lit up the screen as a cabaret singer beside Gary Cooper in ‘Morocco’. En s’appropriant le pantalon et en osant porter des smokings en public, Marlene Dietrich revendique le pouvoir des femme s. Encore aujourd’hui, Marlène reste un symbole fort du » female empowerment » souvent cités par les femmes engagées pour l’égalité des sexes.

With her lithe silhouette, melancholy look exaggerated by doll-like long eyelashes and ultra fine brows, and that famous femme fatale allure whether in silk gowns or men’s suits, Marlene Dietrich was a true Hollywood icon who captured the world’s hearts with each silver screen role and red carpet. Required fields are marked *. In fact, during the 1930s, she (along with Katharine Hepburn) helped to popularize and make pants acceptable for women to wear.

Oh, and I love that you put more detailed product info at the bottom of the screen…, I love every single outfit- such an inspiration! This biweekly column focuses on just that: unexpected and out-of-the-box fashion icons from the past.

Unfazed, Dietrich not only arrived in Paris wearing the ensemble, but also wearing a men’s coat, sunglasses, and beret. CR Fashion Book may earn money from the products featured on this page. We feature women who have not only made an impact, but also have distinct signature styles that we can still draw inspiration from today. She was also the subject of two 2017 exhibitions, one at the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C. and one at Maison Européenne de la Photographie in Paris; and a 2018 book of collected portraits, Obsession: Marlene Dietrich.

In the film, the actress performs onstage dressed as a man, wearing a tuxedo by costume designer Travis Banton, and kisses a woman on the mouth. She wore masculine three-piece suits to create a distinctly androgynous look that helped to revolutionize and redefine women’s fashion. Your email address will not be published. Audrey Hepburn?

In doing so—during her decades in the spotlight—Dietrich became known not just for her sultry, femme-fatale characters, but her refined and daring style choices that make her an enduring fashion icon. It was also one of the first lesbian kisses to appear on screen.

Though stars like Katharine Hepburn and Joan Crawford had already appeared in menswear, Dietrich’s reach extended beyond theirs.

It was also one of the first lesbian kisses to appear on screen. While immensely sensual, Dietrich's persona was also strangely androgynous; her fondness for masculine attire -- suits, top hats, and the like -- not only spawned a fashion craze, it also created an added dimension of sexual ambiguity which served to make her even more magnetic. Marlene Dietrich naquit le 27 décembre 1901 en Allemagne sous le nom de Marie Magdalene Dietrich. When you think of a fashion icon from the past, who is the first person that comes to mind? These cute outfits are also super functional. Please go to the Instagram Feed settings page to connect an account. What do you think of her look? While today this wouldn’t make headlines, at that time it was quite the opposite. During this time period, she also appeared in several films and had a brief stint on Broadway. She was one of the first celebrities to raise war bonds and even performed for the Allied troops on the front lines. Marilyn Monroe? Read on to learn more about Marlene’s life and unique style, then check out some outfit ideas to help you channel her look for yourself: Product Info: Romper- ModCloth, Blazer- H&M, Hat- ASOS, Clutch- Dorothy Perkins, Oxfords- ASOS, Earrings- Madewell, Product Info: Hat- American Apparel, Blouse- Anthropologie, Watch- ASOS, Skirt- Dorothy Perkins, Loafers- American Eagle Outfitters, Bracelets- ASOS, Product Info: Blouse- Topshop, Hat- Forever 21, Necklace- Miss Selfridge, Ring- Charm & Chain, Trousers- H&M, Shoes- Endless, Satchel- ModCloth. Later she also had all of her clothes—the men’s suits she became known for as well as her womenswear—custom-made to balance out what she called her “unusual shape: broad shoulders, narrow hips.”. Traveling on a steamer to Paris in 1933, Dietrich wore a suit of head-to-toe white.

Let me know what you think by leaving a comment below! If you haven’t seen them already, be sure to check out our other “A History of Style” posts on Amelia Earhart, Billie Holiday, Joan Jett, Louise Brooks, Dorothy Dandridge, Elizabeth Taylor, Edith Head, Mary Tyler Moore, Sylvia Plath and Edith Bouvier Beale. Marlene Dietrich in Shanghai Express directed by Josef von Sternberg, costumes by Travis Banton Photo: Don English/John Kobal Foundation/Getty Images, Marlene Dietrich in 1937 Photo: General Photographic Agency/Getty Images, Marlene Dietrich in 1932 in Shanghai Express directed by Josef von Sternberg, costumes by Travis Banton Photo: Don English/John Kobal Foundation/Getty Images, Marlene Dietrich in 1937 in a feather headband designed by Travis Banton for Angel directed by Ernst Lubitsch Photo: GAB Archive/Redferns, Jean Gabin and Marlene Dietrich at Ciro's in Los Angeles, November 15 1941 Photo: Hulton Archive/Getty Images, Marlene Dietrich in 1936 in Desire directed by Frank Borzage Photo: ullstein bild via Getty Images, Marlene Dietrich Photo: Mondadori Portfolio via Getty Images, Marlene Dietrich in 1959 at the Theatre de L'Etoile in Paris Photo: Schuppe/ullstein bild via Getty Images, Marlene Dietrich in 1930 in Morocco directed by Josef von Sternberg Photo: Eugene Robert Richee/John Kobal Foundation/Getty Images, Marlene Dietrich in 1942 in The Lady Is Willing Photo: A. L. Whitey Schafer/John Kobal Foundation/Getty Images, Marlene Dietrich in 1930 Photo: A. Schorr/ullstein bild via Getty Images, Marlene Dietrich in 1941 in Manpower directed by Raoul Walsh Photo: ullstein bild/ullstein bild via Getty Images, Marlene Dietrich in 1940 as Bijou Blanche in Seven Sinners Photo: John Springer Collection/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images, Marlene Dietrich in 1937 in Angel directed by Ernst Lubitsch, costumes by Travis Banton Photo: Eugene Robert Richee/John Kobal Foundation/Getty Images, Marlene Dietrich in 1935 in The Devil is a Woman Photo: Eugene Robert Richee/Hulton Archive/Getty Images, Marlene Dietrich in Shanghai Express directed by Josef von Sternberg, costumes by Travis Banton Photo: Silver Screen Collection/Getty Images, Marlene Dietrich at Edith Piaf's wedding to Jacques Pills in New York, July 29 1952 Photo: Keystone-France/Gamma-Keystone via Getty Images, Marlene Dietrich and Rosa Valetti in 1930 in Der Blaue Engel (The Blue Angel) directed by Josef von Sternberg Photo: ullstein bild via Getty Images, Marlene Dietrich in 1953 Photo: NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images, Marlene Dietrich signing autographs for American soldiers in German territory, 1945 Photo: Keystone-France\Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images, Manon Garrigues, translated by Mini Smith, Entretien mode et cinéma avec Noémie Merlant, étoile du cinéma français au Festival de Deauville 2020. Edie Sedgwick, perhaps? She would go on to influence, directly and indirectly, designers like Yves Saint Laurent and his historic Le Smoking; a pre-fame Azzedine Alaïa, who custom-made her clothing; and, later, Jason Wu and Peter Som, who were both inspired by her for their Fall/Winter 2012 collections. is there any more ideas?

Marlene became an American citizen in 1939 and was also well-known for her staunch support of the troops during World War II. Marlene was born Marie Magdalene Dietrich on December 27, 1901 in Berlin, Germany.

Dietrich learned how to assume and maintain control of her image from Josef von Sternberg, who directed her 1930 breakout film The Blue Angel. It is a kind of knowing that you are all right in every way, mentally and physically and in appearance, and that, whatever the occasion or the situation, you are equal to it.”. Love al the outfits. Remember When Azzedine Alaïa Came to New York. As the decades went on, Dietrich’s bold attire and attitude continued to be a stylish signature. From the early 1950s through the mid-1970s, Marlene worked primarily as a cabaret artist, traveling to major cities and performing song and dance routines. Thank you. Stay warm this fall with these super cute shackets!

Vogue pays hommage on the anniversary of her birth, in images.

I definitely want to incorporate this look into my own.

Marlene Dietrich was born in Berlin on December 27 1901. She grabbed the police chief by the arm and escorted him off the platform. Upon her death in 1992, Dietrich was called a “symbol of glamour.” It was a headline perhaps inspired by another of the actress’ famous quotes: “Glamour is assurance. CR Fashion Book participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites.

Tags : 1930s, Androgyny, Celebs, Fashion History, Menswear-Inspired, Love this post! Von Sternberg assisted Dietrich in cultivating her image at the onset of her career, directing her in Morocco, her 1930 American cinema debut.

You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io, Brit Lily Collins on Being an American in Paris, Teyana Taylor and More Front CR's New Fall Issue, Serena Williams' Best On and Off-Court Style, Gigi Hadid and Zayn Malik Welcome Their First Baby.

One of my favorite posts yet; such beautiful outfit ideas. Marlene Dietrich was born in Berlin on December 27 1901.

Les membres de sa famille la surnommaient souvent “Lene”, et elle combina “Marie” et “Magdalene” pour créer “Marlene” à l’âge de 11 ans. Openly bisexual at a time when public non-heteronormative sexuality was barely an option, clothing for Dietrich became not just adornment but subversion. This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission if you purchase through our links.