Making Fashion (1938) - extract

Norman Hartnell's 1938 Spring Collection is modelled here by a group of society ladies (one of whom looks alarmingly like Nadia from 2004's Big Brother) who pose awkwardly in a series of extraordinary gowns.

Shot in glorious Dufaycolor (an early and beautifully distinctive colour film process), this is not only an important record of 1930s couture, but also a handy reminder that not so long ago you could be a clothes horse without being a teenage size-zero.

This was an atypical subject for director Humphrey Jennings - soon to become one of the most enduring chroniclers of World War Two's home front. Here, he (and Hartnell) appear to have been influenced by Madame Yevonde, doyenne of British society photographers, whose portraits of aristocrats posing as ancient Greek goddesses had recently been exhibited. (Robin Baker)

For more information about Humphrey Jennings see http://www.screenonline.org.uk/people/id/453623/

You can watch the whole of 'Making Fashion' and almost 1000 other complete films and TV programmes from the BFI National Archive free of charge at the new BFI Mediatheque - http://www.bfi.org.uk/mediatheque

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• BFI
• fashion
• catwalk
• models
• couture
• gowns
• dresses
• Hartnell
• Jennings
• 1930s
• Thirties

[1Rubyglare]

They put so much more effort into making clothes back then, even in the nightgowns & slips, I have a few, so I've looked at the construction. Today we have computerized sewing machines & yet clothes look so blah, unless you customize them yourself. Oh well, another fashion clip favorited!

[vielsu]

Every one of these dresses is stunning!

[sallyofseattle]

I sooo want that cream and magenta print number at the finish of the video. And the floral one right before it as well. OMG you don't see clothes like that anymore not even close!!!....the 30s was the best, lots of body consciousness and bias cuts, much sexiier to me than the 20s, the 40s or the 50s by a long shot!

[405liner]

Superb. Very similar in style to the extract included in the BBC Television Demonstration film from 1937.

[DecrepitTelephone]

Oh - and I love Dufaycolor as well. I wish they'd bring it back.

[DecrepitTelephone]

Argh. I adore the music playing in the background and I really, awfully hope that it's a case of tented-music (or whatever it's called.) and that there's some kind of 1930s 78 release of the same recording that can be found somewhere to post on youtube.

This is one of my favorite 1930s fashion-related clips.

[bdweightexer]

I agree with sarlota vielsu and misshowe. I think here the question might be. Practical for what ? I like 43 .

[Sarlota]

I dont think you are saying something which I would agree with.

[Theysee35]

Overdressed,overpriced dressess for the upper crust of soceity..they are works of art wear but not practical and comfortable.That is a perspective coming out of casual wear fanatic.I can try putting them on for cat walk though.

[misshowe]

Exquisite.. such style and poise.