Art Deco In The 1920's

Art Deco is a movement that originated in the roaring 1920s and continued to develop through the Depression-ridden 1930s. Its name was derived from the Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes, held in Paris in 1925, where the style was first exhibited. Although it had European origins, it was America that developed it and embraced its wide appeal. It was a movement that celebrated both the individually crafted luxury items and the mass-produced products. The intention was to create a sleek and anti-traditional elegance and that symbolised wealth and sophistication. Features of the style include a clean, streamlined look; bold lines; geometric ornament that was not always functional and often made use of expensive

Following the end of World War I and the women’s liberation movement, the 1920s were a time of exuberance and liberation - the time of the flapper girl. Paul Poiret was the pioneer of this style. His orientalist influences and captivation with the colours of the Ballet Russes led to intricate embroidery, colourful graphic expressions, and textural motifs. Hair was cut into short bobs, and styled straight or into finger waves. The French author of La garçonne, Victor Margueritte wrote “Once Delilah emasculated Sampson by cutting his hair. Today, she believes she can make herself virile by cutting hers”. This enabled the rise of dangling earrings, worn with ropes of pearls or pendant necklaces with precious and semi-precious stones. Headbands worn against the forehead and cloche hats were also in fashion. Dresses were essentially one straight line, giving a tubular silhouette to the woman’s body, with drop waist designs, sleeveless and short hemlines, ranging from mind-calf to just above the knee. 1920s fashion is most associated with the tiered, beaded, fringed 'Charleston ' dress, which gave complete freedom to the women to dance. During the depression years of the 1930 's fashion was driven by the fantasies of Hollywood. Hemlines dropped again to the ankles, and longer dresses were once again in vogue for eveningwear. The waistline rose to the natural waist, and dresses were now made of satin, chiffon, and soft crepe and draped along the body, often with bared