This gorgeous picture of Dita von Teese at her dressing table is from a feature in this month’s InStyle magazine (found via Swing Fashionista). I think it is a stunning photograph, and more in the 30s deco style than Dita’s usual adherence to the 50s. The 1930s were an age of extreme glamour; a time when big budget Hollywood films began to be seen all over the world, it became socially acceptable for women to wear make-up, cheaply manufactured clothing started to become available, and the vision of a society where a shopgirl could be as desirable as a countess was sold to a class-bound Britain. This was distilled in a girl’s dressing table, which became an oasis of glamour in what might otherwise be a quite ordinary home.
Naturally I couldn’t resist looking for a bit of style inspiration. Here are some photographs of 30s and 40s starlets primping and preening at their vanity tables, and some even older paintings of Victorian women using theirs.
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| This is an image of the dressing table from the fairytale Paris apartment I posted about last year |
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| Ann Sheridan |
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| Audrey Hepburn |
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| Ava Gardner |
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| Brigitte Bardot |
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| Carmen Miranda |
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| Marlene Dietrich |
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| Elizabeth Arden |
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| A 1940s beauty school |
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| Marilyn Monroe |
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| Elizabeth Taylor |
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| Georgina Chapman |
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| Jean Harlow |
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| Jane Russell |
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| Jean Harlow |
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| Jean Harlow before make-up, what a difference! |
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| Burlesque star Lili St Cyr |
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| Lillian Gish |
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| Marlene Dietrich |
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| Merle Oberon |
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| Natalie Wood |
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| Rita Hayworth |
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| Dita’s dressing table pictured in the NY Times. Different from the one in the first image, so she either has several or has had a change. |
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| Julianne Moore at her dressing table in film A Single Man |
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| Madame du Pompadour by François Boucher |
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| The Toilet of Salomé by Aubrey Beardsley |
1960s polka dot mod dress by Berketex
1970s green and red tartan knit jumper dress
1960s black and white check blanket dress
1970s floral print hippy smock dress by Emanuelle
>mmmm, so beautiful! Jean Harlow's boudoir set in Dinner at Eight remains the most over-the-top glamourous to me. xo
>Gorgeous and inspirational. I love Jean Harlow's fringed table
>That Dita picture – swoon! So gorgeous! Fab collection of images. How I'd love a dressing table – will have to do with my makeshift one (ikea set of drawers with mirror propped on top!)
>I totally want a dressingtable at one point in my life, a retro one preferably. There is something about it that makes it almost feel like a shrine where you worship yourself, haha
>Just had to write to say, what a fabulous post! I love looking at photos of old movie stars (particularly women – but men too). That has made my day. x
>what a beautiful collection of photos. i dont have a dressing table – and you have convinced me that i must!
>Great post! My Gram had the one in the second Dita Von Teese picture. She also had another, smaller one with a black kidney-shaped glass top which I have in storage right now due to space issues.
>The 2nd Dita dressing table was in her old home, she's just moved, hence the refurbish article as they decorated from scratch. The 2nd dressing table was sold in an ebay auction and went to some lucky gal in Germany!!
>My sister-in-law has a dressing table like the one in the first Dita picture. It looks fab but is a nightmare to keep clean especially when my nephew keeps leaving finger prints all over it!
>What a gorgeous post! I love any image of a woman at her dressing table and find it impossible to pick a favourite out of all these lovely images. xxx
>My childhood dream was always to have a dressing table and you've totally rekindled it!
xoxo ~ Courtney
http://sartorialsidelines.blogspot.com
>I strongly believe that we should all have dressing tables but hardly any of us do! I for one have no space in my small flat but I know that having one would do so much for me mentally! there is something simply perfect about having a place to sit down and make it all about you, pampering and the rest.
>So many beautiful pictures and beautiful people! I want one now (again)…
>Lovely post! My dressing table need a new mirror…
I bet DIta has several…
>I have a dressing table, but without legs, so at the moment it stands on top of shelf and is to high up to sit by. I want another one with legs and side mirrors.
Love the picture of Dita. It looks like she is wearing the same dress as Sandra Bullock wore to the Golden Globes.
>What a fantastic post – I shall think about some of these lovely pictures when I take my make-up off this evening at my own dressing table.
>My walnut veneer 1930s dressing table is probably my favourite item of furniture ever. I test myself every so often, looking at others in charity/antique shops but nothing has ever come close (and mine was only £60 on eBay I think…).
Great post, I love dressing table images!
>I love my dressing table, I have a lovely gold Lloyd Loom chair in front of it and I do feel glamourous getting ready every morning. I would like more shelving over the top and my jewellery displayed better, oh and better lighting BUT I love it!
And I love Dita's picture but even more I would do something illegal to look like Ava Gardner!
>So lovely! I so want a dressing table. But, alas, there is no room in the tiny apartment for one. *sigh*
>Well this makes me sitting on the toiletseat with a mirror on my lap, dabbing on mascara seem kind of humbling.
Ah, glamour.
>My favorite of Jean Harlow and her is soo beautiful and her is perfect mirror..thanks alots here
>Dressing tables seem so great, but I honestly can't put on make-up sitting down.. haha. Great compilation of images, btw. Thanks for sharing!
>I love the eye candy!
I think the first photo of Dita might be in her Paris home and the second one her Hollywood home.
>I looooove this post! So well curated.
I received an amazing 1950s dressing table for my birthday that I have been meaning to restore forever. This post gave me the inspiration to do it. Can't wait!
Cheers!
http://www.iheartcocoon.com
>These photos are beautiful, I love dressing tables!!
From Carys of La Ville Inconnue
>Stunning post – I love it! Such beautiful pictures. I need me some of that lighting too, never mind the gorgeous dressing tables!! Can't imagine the sight of me sitting on my sofa brandishing my Rimmel concealer looks anywhere near as glam…
>What a collection of wonderful pic on dressing tables. Not many of us sit at a dressing table and ejoy the whole pleasure of make up nowadays. it is more of something of a rush.
What a pity!!!!
Thank you for sharing these wonders!!!!
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>Hi my dear-what a gorgeously decadent post, stunning photos and I wish I had a dressing table similar to the lovely ones shown, thanks for sharing these wonderful photos! xx
>Ahhh, how I love Dita. But I think my favourite shot is the one of Audrey, you can see all of that amazing gamine cut.
I have grand plans to make myself a dressing table. Watch this space (though don't hold your breath)
>Wow what a picturetastic post! Every gal deserves a beautiful dressing table to get ready at. We have room, so think l will start asbo.g for one.
>LOVE the photo of Dita. Did you see the rest of the spread? It's great.
I bought my vintage dressing table at a Salvation Army for $200 10 years ago. I used some of the money I had saved for University tuition. Still don't regret it! haha!
>Dita is gorgeous!! Loving all your inspirational pictures, the 30s looked like a wonderful decade in terms of glamour!!!!
Hannah xx
>Tres bon post me dear. And fab is Dita? I never fail to be floored by her flawlessness!
>Dita looks really lovely there – so much softer than usual. That's such a stunning dress as well.
I honestly can't pick a favourite photo. Each one is just so beautiful in its own way. You've made me very much want a 30's dressing table now though!
>Dear Margaret, what a brilliant collection of pictures! I love them! Jean Harlow's tasseled dressing table is a particular favourite, the picture of Natalie Wood is amazing and I want to be Carole Lombard (apart from the plane crash bit!)
I have a 1920's walnut dressing table which I bought on Ebay about 8 years ago along with a tallboy for £70. I always do my make-up there.
The picture of Dita is fabulous too xx
>What a superb collection of photos! I got a vanity several years ago for Christmas and it is probably the piece of furniture I cherish most! I am now inspired to do a post about it! Thanks so much!
>It is my dream to have a beautiful dressing table in my life. How beautiful does DVT look in that 1st picture?! :)SarahD
>Oh my! This is such an enchanting post. I'm going to mention it in my 'Friday Finds' post this week. Thanks for sharing these wonderful images.
>I don't have a proper dressing table and I really want a gorgeous deco set up, now even more from seeing your pics!
>Fabulous, I've got a 30s deco dressing table but will gladly trade it in for the deep buttoned pink satin affair.
>Dressing tables are soo gorgeous, and you're right, they are a total symbol for glamour. I find that the funnest thing when I'm getting ready for a night out is putting on my makeup! It's exciting. What a great collection of pictures too! http://thearcenciel.blogspot.com/
>This post is incomplete without this photo http://twitpic.com/1084cy
>I've always wanted a vanity. I used to watch my mother put on make up in front of the mirror and wished i had my own. someday i'll have one and line up all my perfume bottles and brushes just like the movie stars!
great post!!
>I been searchibg for a good dressing table.. These are all so pretty..thanks for posting this doll.
>What an amazing post, and what amazingly beautiful women.
http://www.baublesandbangles.blogspot.com
-Stephanie
>These are gorgeous! I've always wanted a glamorous dressing table like that…maybe even wear a fancy gown while sitting at it too :)
-Danielle
>Beautiful photos! I feel so un-glamorous, my "dressing table" is my small desk and the floor near my mirror ;)
>You know thios reminds me that I havent had a dressing table for many years. It would be nice to have one again. I like the mirrored ones. Thank you for the reminder. Xxxx
>Swoooooning at these photos!
♥ Leia
>Awww, I want a dressing table now. My nan had one and I usednto love playing on it when I was a kid. I'm Wurlitzer I was allowed as it was all made from glass. I think that's where my interest in vintage came from actually – playing with all that olden stuff when I was a kid.
>I was drooling myself over the Dita pictures yesterday as I perused my "In Style" magazine. She is so gorgeous and one of the few true inspirations from old school glamour.
P.S. Isn't it amazing how Audrey Hepburn and Elizabeth Taylor can look so gorgeous simply sitting at a dressing table, applying makeup? I think we all strive to be that fabulous.
http://glamkittenslitterbox.blogspot.com/
>Dita looks so Marilyn here xx
>What a wonderful decadent post, I for one could not live with out my wonderful five mirrored victorian dressing table that I have love for the past twenty plus years.
We gals need me time and a dressing table give us that.
I drooled over some of these pictures.
>I love to sit at a dressing table and there are some lovely ones here, they are wonderful if you have the space for one xx So glamorous xx
>I love my dressing table.
We have a weird 1/2 bedroom off our main bedroom which I keep intending to try and turn into a glamorous boudoir, but when I'm home at the weekends I'm so tired I can't be bothered to do it so I'm still surrounded by boxes and piles of clothes and shoes!
>My grandma had a dressing table where she did her make up everyday. I always thought it was so cool and loved to watch her do her make up. And I just LOVE mirrored furniture!
>Amazing photos! Thanks so much for sharing. I would love a dressing table and have wanted one since I was a little girl, but there's just no where to put one in my little, crowded house. One day I hope!
Love,
Heather
http://heathersdesignblog.com/
>Lili St-Cyr! I had no idea she was well-known outside of Montreal…