The Revival of Hollywood Glamour: An Ode to the Golden Oldies

It is high time that Hollywood and session hair stylists take heed and learn from their predecessors.
The Revival of Hollywood Glamour: An Ode to the Golden Oldies
Hollywood glamour captured in the Dancing Hair Collection with stylist Antonio da Costa Rocha for La Coupe Salon, 1986. (Geoffey Hargrave Thomas)
2/13/2013
Updated:
12/13/2013

It is high time that Hollywood and session hair stylists take heed and learn from their predecessors. 

With the beautiful movie stars now in Hollywood preparing to take the stage for the Oscars, it would be so wonderful to see these gorgeous women with glamorous hair. They should look individual and stand out without looking like they are copying one another.

It is time to take inspiration from the original styles of Sydney Guilaroff, known for giving Claudette Colbert her bangs, making Lucille Ball a redhead, and giving Judy Garland her braids for the “Wizard of Oz.” 

He also styled the tresses of Hollywood icons like Greta Garbo, Greer Garson, Elizabeth Taylor, Joan Crawford, Norma Shearer, Hedy Lamarr, Ava Gardner, Lana Turner, Lena Horne, Grace Kelly, Debbie Reynolds, Kathryn Grayson, Ann-Margret, Marilyn Monroe, and myriad others.  

The black-and-white photographs included with this article are some of the most glamorous I’ve seen. They are from Helen Oppenheim’s photo archives. 

Known to spot trends before they make news, Oppenheim has been in-house Creative Concept and Public Relations Director for Vidal Sassoon Salons USA and Canada (1979–1981) and for La Coupe Salons USA and Canada, on and off for 14 years over 30 years, ending in 2003.

 

These photographs can be seen, along with over 2,000 more inspirational and highly innovative photos, on her new website helenoppenheim.com.

These stunning styles are my Oscar predictions and inspiration for 2013.

Harold Leighton is a hairdresser and adviser to the hairdressing industry. He can be reached at: [email protected], www.hleighton.com

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