Vintage style icons: Jean Harlow
Bern not only got Jean her next role as a gold digger in Red-Headed Woman (1932) but also went on to marry her. Tragically he committed suicide just two month into their marriage, a scandal that almost ruined Harlow’s career. Many years later it was revealed he had killed himself because his ex-wife, who he was still married to, had confronted him.
Jean threw herself into work and soon emerged as one of the most talented actresses of her time. Jean’s image remained that of a sex goddess. She had her hair bleached platinum blonde every week until the procedure ruined her hair, and she was eventually forced to wear a wig. Her famous satin gowns, designed by the legendary Adrian, were so tight that they had shapewear built in, all the better as Harlow refused to wear any form of underwear.
When film laws changed and ‘cleaned up’ the business, Jean had to tone down her overtly sexual image by changing her hair colour to a darker shade. Her career continued regardless, and she even found love with fellow actor William Powell.
While filming Saragota (1937), Jean suddenly fell ill and died ten days later, aged only 26. She had suffered from kidney disease since childhood.
Pages: 1 2
Category: 1930s, Fashion, Vintage news, Vintage Style Icons
Subscribe
If you enjoyed this article, subscribe to receive more just like it.
R.I.P. lovely Jean x
That’s awful! 26, wow. What a lovely lady, sad life though. Seems that many of these old stars had tragic and short lives.