From Marilyn to Audrey, movie stars are still key beauty references both in fashion shoots and film. Napoleon Perdis, Beauty and Makeup expert discusses the key vintage beauty moments that still stand the test of time and why they remain so iconic and desirable.
By Napoleon Perdis
Whether it’s Audrey Hepburn’s powerful brows, Marilyn Monroe’s impeccably-positioned beauty spot, or Grace Kelly’s cool, wasp-ish beauty, these enduring, 20th Century icons still show today’s A-listers how it should be done! I’m as inspired by these Hollywood greats today as I was when I first became a makeup artist over twenty years ago.
Brigitte Bardot in When God Created Woman can really be credited as the architect of the sex kitten: she trademarked that French insouciance, she was big in all the right places – hair, pout, eyes – all of which was balanced by a teeny, tiny waist. She was (and remains) one of the most influential beauties of our time. Just take a look at any magazine or big red-carpet event and there are glimpses of her signature style; you can see it in Blake Lively, Jennifer Lawrence, and even the late Anna Nicole Smith from way back when she shot that career-making Guess ad that was so heavily Bardot inspired.
If Brigitte Bardot was the sex kitten, Marliyn Monroe was the sex goddess. She showed the world the power of a beauty spot, porcelain-perfect skin, and platinum hair. Not to mention a pleated dress and a subway grill! Fifty years after her death, her coquettish, girl-woman glamour style lives on in countless celebrity interpretations. Madonna, Gwen Stefani, Rachel McAdams, Lindsay Lohan, and Christina Aguilera have all borrowed a bit of Marilyn muddled in with their own style.
Audrey Hepburn was known for so many style signatures: that flirty, feline gaze, her incredible, elfin bone structure, and amazing, architectural brows. Her style (beauty and otherwise) is a constant point of reference for fashion designers and women the world over. And as for those brows, well, a fuller, more fabulous shape is a trend direction that won’t seem to go away. Recently, Chanel took the bold brow further by encrusting Karl’s models’ brows with stunning crystals. In real life, a bolder brow flatters most faces, helping to frame your eyes, balance and lift your features – they’re a true face changer! Personally, I can’t imagine a time where thin brows will be at the forefront of style again… Thank you, Audrey!
Grace Kelly really was the original People’s princess! Despite her all-American looks, she owned a refined, waspy style that made her the embodiment of elegance, sophistication and classic beauty. Never overpowering, but always leaving her mark, Hitchcock once described Kelly as a “snow-covered volcano”: ladylike and serene on the surface with smouldering passion and sexuality a few layers below. That very American, Park Avenue- perfection beauty that she did so well is absolutely timeless and imitated by many. To name just a few: designers Zac Posen, Donna Karan, Ralph Lauren and luxury house Hermes have referenced Kelly’s innate sense of style as their inspiration on many a collection. Gwyneth Paltrow famously channelled Kelly for her Oscar’s win, though as I remember it, she forgot to master her cool, detached poise and regal composure during her acceptance speech! As far as current Kelly clones, to my mind, no one comes close to January Jones – both in character as Betty Draper and off set.
