Research on Fashion and Make Up in 1952

Reference
Book : Marnie Fogg (2010). 1950s Fashion Print. Gloucestershire : Batsford. 120
Website : unknown. (unknown). 1950's Vintage Fashion . Available: http://www.paperpast.com/html/1952_fashion.html. Last accessed 22 march.

Research on Fashion and Make Up in 1952

As American Horror Story Freak show is set in Florida in 1952 I did research to find out about the fashion and make up then as my version of Claudia thinks she is a part of the tv series, therefore her make up and clothes will have to match the time and place it was set in the series.

As Claudia is a woman in her twenties now obsessed with TV series, she thinks that she is in the Tv show American Horror Story Freak show which is set in 1952. The reason why she feels a part of it is because she has been bullied since a child and called bad names which makes her feel as if she is part of the 'freaks' as they accept her the way she is. However being accepted is still not enough for Claudia she wants to be like her idol Elsa Mars in the show.

I started looking at the way Elsa dresses and also the way she does her her and I also researched fashion and make up in the 1952 to inspire for a design for Claudia. Claudia is a  tomboy she does not like the actual make up but she loves the confidence that it gives her although it isn't always as she is overshadowed by Elsa Mars every time.

Fashion in 1952

Fashion in 1952 reflected peoples economic situation and status, therefore it played a very important part hence why fashion in the American Horror Story was taken very seriously to show class status, Elsa always worse expensive clothes so people think that she is higher classed even though she wasn't and other characters that were working class wore normal clothes and had no make up or done up hair. The desire of every American woman regardless of their age, to achieve more changes in her wardrobe looking fashionable with sweaters, blouses, and skirts.

"The full skirt remained popular with young girls, but they also welcomed the "siren sheath" for both day and evening wear. This was not the shapeless bag of the 1920s; it outlined the figure closely from bosom to hipline. The waistline area was often indented with a wide cummerbund, satin sash or elastic belt or gored in to a princess line without a belt. The nipped waistline in suits and the tiny cinched waist in dresses relaxed and deepened into the long curve of the hourglass torso.1952 girdle.

Skirt shapes kept to a smooth molded hipline but often flared out below in pleats, "morning glory" gores or trumpet flounces. There were many all-over pleated dresses and by new processes the pleating was rendered permanent, crease-resistant and often washable. Hemlines were on the downward trend, dropping about one inch a season." Make up in 1952 

Similar to fashion and clothes beauty played and important part in women lives as they took inspiration from movie stars of the decade in 1952 especially with the expansion of colour of TV which allowed the women to see a better application of the make up and the colours making make up more popular.  The buzz was a bright red lip with a bright brush and a flawless pale skin. The famous red lip was worn in the day time and night time as it was the fashion trend at the time. Cosmetic brands were discovered as it expanded and gave housewives more of a choice.

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Make up in 1952

Similar to fashion and clothes beauty played and important part in women lives as they took inspiration from movie stars of the decade in 1952 especially with the expansion of colour of TV which allowed the women to see a better application of the make up and the colours making make up more popular. 

 The buzz was a bright red lip with a bright brush and a flawless pale skin. The famous red lip was worn in the day time and night time as it was the fashion trend at the time. Cosmetic brands were discovered as it expanded and gave housewives more of a choice.

Suzan Ball

Overall from my research I found out the make up which was popular in 1952 which was the bold red lip, fair flawless complexion and thin arched brow. This was very useful because it gave me ideas of what I will incorporate in my designs for Claudia. Although American Horror Story gave me a clear idea of make up in the 1952 it still had a spin on it with the bright blue/green eyeshadows which the characters wore.