Black dress of Rita Hayworth
| Black dress of Rita Hayworth | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Artist | Jean Louis |
| Year | 1946 |
| Type | Black satin dress |
The Black dress of Rita Hayworth refers to the black dress worn by Rita Hayworth in the 1946 film Gilda, made by American costume designer Jean Louis.[1] It was used in one of the most famous scenes of the film: one in which the character of Gilda sings the song Put The Blame On Mame, improvising a quick striptease, choreographed by Jack Cole. The dress has helped consolidate the image of the femme fatale, as well as being universally recognized as an icon of fashion and cinema.
History
The Parisian designer Jean Louis, the Columbia Pictures costume designer collaborated with the actress Rita Hayworth in nine films from the 1945 until 1959. Jean Louis is defined as "an essential ingredient in the formula that created the image of Rita Hayworth." [1]
To create clothes for Gilda, Jean Louis was inspired by portraits of Madame X, the famous socialite Paris. According to Life magazine, the wardrobe designed by Jean Louis for Rita Hayworth had a value of about $ 60,000, a staggering figure for the time.[1]
In 1946, the news spread that the image of Rita Hayworth in the role of Gilda was imprinted on the first nuclear bomb to be tested after the Second World War, as part of Operation Crossroads. However, recent research has suggested that what was shown on the bomb was only the word "Gilda."
In April 2009, the dress had to be sold at the auction house of Forrest J. Ackerman. In the description of the lot was specified that the dress still had the label "property of Columbia Pictures" and Rita Hayworth sewn inside. The initial price was estimated between $ 30,000 and $ 50,000, but the suit was withdrawn before it reached the auction. Later, in September 2009, the dress appeared mysteriously in an auction website eBay with a starting price of $ 30,000.[1]
The famous scene with the black dress has been referenced in numerous films. One of the most remembered is a parody sung by Jessica Rabbit in the Disney film Who Framed Roger Rabbit, in which the character performs in a performance of Why Do not You Do Right? referring to the style of Rita Hayworth in Gilda.
Design
The dress is a sheath in black satin with straight neckline that leaves covered at the shoulders. The dress is long and until the ground has a deep side slit. In the scene in the film Gilda which it appears, the dress is paired with a pair of long gloves worn up to Hayworth's shoulders.
To be able to wear the dress, Rita Ayworth was forced to wear a corset, because just a few months before, had given birth to her daughter, Rebecca, and was not yet fully returned to form. In addition to the dress, Jean Louis made a harness, worn under the dress. The harness consisted of rigging - one under the breast, one in the middle and one on the side. In addition, the soft plastic had been molded around the top of the skirt.
References
- ^ a b c d "The Rita Hayworth Fashion Page- Pt. II of III". Retrieved 3 June 2011.