MacPherson’s income—equivalent to over $750,000 a year today—afforded her access to the rarest luxuries during the 1920s, when excess was commonplace.
Unsurprisingly, she dressed accordingly.
(Image courtesy of Altadena Filming.)
MacPherson’s income—equivalent to over $750,000 a year today—afforded her access to the rarest luxuries during the 1920s, when excess was commonplace. The screenwriter was also an accomplished pilot and was frequently photographed in full flight regalia, as seen in this 1920 photo. (Image courtesy of Altadena Filming.) Last month I shared the astounding discovery of several items belonging to Jeanie MacPherson, Cecil B. DeMille’s long time scenarist and screenwriter, in a plastic garbage bag headed for the dump. Given the objects’ age and provenance, I would have been flattened to find a single garment intact. Instead, I found the clothing equivalent of Tutankhamen’s tomb in shockingly good condition.
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Cecil B. DeMille and Jeanie MacPherson in 1926 along with their stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. (Image courtesy of Cecil B. DeMille Foundation.) For over 20 years I have had the pleasure of working with priceless fashion artifacts from the archives of movie stars, historical figures and illustrious designers. You might be tempted to think that no clothing acquisition, restoration or discovery could phase me after so long, but you would be wrong. There are still garments that unglue me, either with their provenance, their artistry or their origin. Recently I found a piece with all three of these virtues … in a garbage bag headed for the landfill. |
The Little Black Book thoughts about life, luxury and the pursuit of vintage fashion.
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