If you looked around our website, you might have met her already.
In her time, she disappeared almost without a trace.
Yet, her face never could.
We are talking of Louise Brooks, whose film career was short and remarkable.
Born in rural Kansas in 1906, Louise wanted to be a dancer, never a movie star.
The Beginning
Her artistic mother and a lawyer father made her read piles of books, took her to the local theatre, and sent her to ballet classes. She started performing at the tender age of 6 and found work as a semi-nude dancer in the famous Ziegfeld Follies in New York.
From Ziegfeld to Hollywood
Through Ziegfeld and her alluring beauty, of course, she caught the eye of Paramount producer Walter Wanger, who was so fond of her that he signed a 5-year contract with her in 1925. Louise, being a true twenties flapper, is said to have been the life of every party, and Charlie Chaplin, whom she admired in the local theatres back home, became one of her fans.
Although she was popular with photographers, and her film career was about to take off, a juicy scandal and lots of vile gossip drove her away from Hollywood, and in 1929 she sailed for Berlin to meet Austrian director G. W. Pabst, who was in search of the perfect Lulu in his movie Pandora’s Box.
To Europe and Back
This role, her already existing Hollywood stardom, cemented her legend. Lulu and Louise are indistinguishable. She made two more films in Europe, namely Diary of a Lost Girl (1929) and Prix de Beauté (1930).
Nevertheless, by 1931 she was back in Hollywood. However, her performances were ignored by the critics. She later would fall into economic hardship, performing in nightclub shows to survive.
Her last film was released in 1938 and, as it seems, Louise was forgotten.
The Return
Louise would not be Louise if this were the end. In 1955, French film historians rediscovered her films, proclaiming her an unparalleled actress. This led to a Louise Brooks film festival in 1957 and a rehabilitation in the United States.
Take a Look at Stilettissimo
So, why is Louise Brooks on Stilettissimo’s website?
It is because I admire her style.
She was beautiful for sure. But this is a caprice of nature.
It is what she did with it.
She had style, she dressed well, and most importantly she always was true to herself.
Let me close with the words of cosmetic giant Helena Rubinstein:
There are no ugly women, just lazy ones.
I invite you to discover the collectibles inspired by her world.
