Dear Reader,
Oscar-winning actor Joan Crawford’s journey from chorus girl to iconic Hollywood legend began today 23 March, in 1904; Born into poverty as Lucille LeSueur, Crawford grew up from a less than privileged background, working odd jobs that included being a laundress, before becoming one of the most well-known movie stars of all time.
Throughout her career, which spanned the Golden Age of Hollywood, Crawford’s stardom and style was formed by her surviving the Depression, an experience that permeates the films she made, and explains her appeal to the millions of her avid fans, who identified with her for living through hard times.
Known for being dressed by studio costume designer Adrian, Crawford’s dresses, gowns and suits set the trend for women from all walks of life. One of their first collaborations for MGM launched a craze for extravagantly ruffled shoulders in 1932. Although it was at the height of the stock market crash, 50,000 knock-off versions of that organdy gown were sold. Her winning collaboration with Adrian encompassed the period of 31 movies.
“I never go outside unless I look like Joan Crawford the movie star. If you want to see the girl next door, go next door” Crawford once famously said. Crawford was an active author of her own image, never appearing in public looking other than the complete glamourpuss. A passionate clotheshorse her entire life, Crawford was said to have many walk in wardrobes, even entire apartments filled with clothing, accessories and shoes. She has been known to change her outfits up to ten times a day. Her Oscar-winning performance in Mildred Pierce of 1945, became her defining role, and so did her movie wardrobe become her defining image of dramatic peplums under nipped-in waists, powerful shoulders and extravagant furs. It’s an indelible image that’s endured, and has left echoes on generations of style icons, for you can glimpse a bit of Crawford in the costumes of Sean Young in “Blade Runner,” and the actress Dita von Teese.
At ABARA, we celebrate Joan Crawford’s look in our classic top-handle Tr'Apeze Bag, our signature bag that has all the dramatic angles, and a bold shape that at once recalls the 1940s, but yet is compeletely modern and of today. It is free of branding, except for the custom-made gold “A” clasp which takes inspiration from the brand’s name. ABARA bags are simply characterised by clean and sleek lines, making them seasonless, and beautifully classic – the way a signature Joan Crawford look can be!
