Carmen Miranda took the U.S. by storm with her sexy sambas and animated vocalizing in the 1940s, and she made a number of movies in Hollywood ("Down Argentine Way," "The Gang's All Here," "Copacabana.").
The wedge shoes she inspired other women to try are a hallmark of 1940s fashion, and the style was a big hit when it was revived for my generation in the 1970s. She also popularized fruit motifs in costume jewelry.
You can see Miranda's tall silver wedges peeking out from under her gown in this film clip from "Down Argentine Way (1940):
The way Miranda layered multiple outsized necklaces and bracelets is a style that a few fashion forward women pull off today.
Tap on over to Sepia Saturday for more fancy footwork; click below.
A woman and her shoes! (My father had to rebuild my mother's closet to hold all of hers! Your video too funny and a daybrightener! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI don’t think I relsied that wedge heels were a fashion before the 70’s. That’s quite a collection she has!
ReplyDeleteIt seems like wedge heels are now popular again.
ReplyDeleteI only wish they weren't so high! I remember teetering on platform wedge shoes c. 1974. I'd break my neck today.
ReplyDeleteI can't imagine having all those shoes. I do remember wearing some high cork soled sandals in 1970 while pregnant and it's a wonder I didn't topple over.
ReplyDeleteStrangely enough the shoe style matches her hair style. Wonderful stuff.
ReplyDeleteI always liked Carmen Miranda. She could wear shoes and hats that most of us couldn't get away with.
ReplyDeleteI don't know how women walk in those shoes.
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