November 20, 2010

Rita Hayworth wasn't always the auburn haired sex symbol most famously remembered as being the vampy "Gilda", she was born Margarita Carmen Cansino in Brooklyn to a flamenco dancer father and a Ziegfield girl dancer for a mother.

Margarita was put through an extensive makeover (her hairline was raised via a series of very painful electrolysis treatments...this was in the 40s folks!), asked to lose 30 lbs, and dye her naturally dark hair to auburn (she was also blonde and red haired at some points) and change her name so she sounded and looked less Latina.

And voila! A star is born!

10 comments:

  1. Love the first Outfit! Amazing pants.
    xx, Alice :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Love the second photo..that floral dress is gorgeous and she looks so happy.
    Brilliant photos as always.
    You never disappoint. XXX

    ReplyDelete
  3. She's one of my favourite, she looked so fresh and fun!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Love these images, my favorite is the one where she is stuffing her face!! (possibly because I do it all the time)

    ReplyDelete
  5. i didn't know she's 'constructed'. quite a shame... i like her shoes.

    ReplyDelete
  6. she was gorgeous - love Rita's look and style! that dancing pic (bottom) is adorable!! FAB shoes!

    ReplyDelete
  7. beautiful. these old photos seem to capture a certain magic you don't see anymore...

    ReplyDelete
  8. I'm happy to see Rita Hayworth listed as a style icon, but I'm not crazy about the way this article was executed. "And voila! A star is born!" makes it sound as though it was a good thing that she had to change her beautiful Spanish features and name.

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for taking the time to leave me a little comment, I do try to respond back as often as I can. Have a lovely day! xoxo - Rodellee