Calderwood Gallery Debuts: Hollywood Chic! Original Fashion Photographs from the Golden Age

Exquisite, original fashion photographs of Hollywood film stars from the 1930s and 1940s that will be shown for the first time in more than 70 years.

Philadelphia, PA (PRWEB) March 26, 2005 -- Calderwood Gallery will open to the public Hollywood Chic! Fashion Photographs from the Golden Age," April 12th through May 27th, 2005. This exhibition and sale of more than 130 original photographs of Hollywood film stars from the 30s and 40s showcases fantastic original fashions by illustrious designers including Adrian, Travis Banton, Orry-Kelly, Edward Stevenson and Edith Head. Hollywood Chic! is the second in what promises to be an annual series presented by Calderwood - the inaugural exhibition was their very successful "Glamour! Photographs from Hollywood's Golden Age" held in the spring of 2004.

Evoking sophistication, style and opulence, the "Hollywood Chic!" photographs reflect an era of couture that epitomized glamour and continues to influence and captivate designers around the world. Selected from Calderwood Gallerys extensive collection of rare photographs, each museum quality, original image is a work of art. Included are images of Jean Harlow, Joan Crawford, Marlene Dietrich, Katharine Hepburn, Carole Lombard, Lana Turner, Rita Hayworth and others. Taken at a time when photography and film were being widely recognized as art forms, the "Hollywood Chic!" images capture the true grandeur of both the star and the fashion.

Throughout the 1930s and 1940s, the Hollywood films were the most influential medium for fashion and design throughout the United States. During this booming age of star power and fashion awareness, the public, especially women, were enamored with the fashions of their favorite celebrities. Even during the pre-war days of the Great Depression, movie box-office-sales were at an all time high, as people used the cinema as an escape from reality. Hollywood films provided an escapist outlet for people to live vicariously through the gorgeous stars and their elegant attire.

Banking on this fervent market, the Hollywood studios commissioned these photographs as a means of promoting both the stars and their films, and regularly submitted "exclusives" to publications such as PhotoPlay, Silver Screen, Modern Screen and Screen Guide.

The Hollywood Chic! original studio photographs are the perfect complement to Calderwood Gallerys remarkable collection of fine French decorative arts. Housing the worlds largest collection of Art Deco, Modernist and French Forties furniture and decorative arts from 1900 to 1950, Calderwood Gallery features important pieces from designers such as Ruhlmann, Dominique, Leleu, Dufet, Arbus, Adnet, Follot, Dufrene and Jallot.

The photographs will range in price from $400 - $4,000 and will be on display throughout Calderwood Gallery, located at 1622 Spruce Street and open Tuesday - Friday, 11:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., and Saturday, Noon - 5:30 p.m.

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