Well daaaaahlings, you know Moi is all about glahmah, so when I heard about the Glamour of the Gods exhibit at the National Portrait Gallery, I simply had to go. The exhibit consists of a selection of over 70 (mostly black and white) photographs from Hollywood’s Golden Age (from 1920-1960). The exhibition is not only intended as a celebration of Hollywood icons, but also as a look back on the ever-changing photographic styles and techniques that shaped the image of Hollywood stars and the public’s perception of them over the years.
Before the age of the Internet, and before the average person had three televisions in every home, photography was incredibly important media tool. Most Old Hollywood portraits attempted to create a glamorous, perfect image of their subjects, promoting the aura of mystery and unattainable perfection that surrounded movie stars for decades. As such, the photographers had to be very skilled indeed! In fact, one thing which surprised me was learning that there was actually a lot of fancy retouching going on back then!
Photographers were engaged in a sophisticated operation, taking hundreds and sometimes thousands of pictures a day in order to hit the perfect pose and lighting combination. It is not that much unlike the tedious pictures I take of my culinary creations! I spit on you Tastespotting and Foodgawker (in the most glamorous possible way, of course)!!! Technicians and retouchers worked their magic, eliminating all imperfections and enhancing the natural attributes of the stars, as well as the visual mastery achieved by makeup artists.
The imagery provided by the photograph was crucial. As well as from a marketing perspective, photography helped to create that oh so important mystique. The portrait of a Hollywood star was more than a simple picture. It was an image that epitomized glamour and success, one that immortalized a celebrity as much as the films that they starred in.
Glamour of the Gods is packed to the brim with eye candy galore. The following is a selection of some of my favorite pictures on exhibit:
Vivien Leigh as Scarlett O’Hara is one of my favourite fictional characters ever written.
Rita Hayworth (1946), exuding glamour from every pore!
There was Joan Collins, in her prime, looking naughty but nice.
Vernoica Lake was there, displaying her flaxen locks…
and let’s not forget the ultimate blonde bombshell, she was there too!
I loved this picture of the lovely Liz.
And yes, there was also some man candy.
If, like me, you adore old Hollywood glamour, this exhibit is for you. Walking though the exhibition rooms, you can’t help but think that they just don’t do glamour like they used to. Oh you poor dears, thank goodness you dollies have me to set the example! Should you like to see the exhibition for yourself, you have till October 23rd.
For the cake segment of this week’s Cake & Culture, I’ve decided to review Pierre Herme’s Ispahan cake. The Belgravia branch of Pierre Herme just recently started selling these tiny little pound cakes, which are shipped in from Paris. They weigh approximately 400 grams, and I’d say they only serve about four people. This particular cake comes in at a whopping £18 (that’s about $29). Still, I am so in love with the ispahan croissant, that I didn’t think twice about spending Mr P’s hard earned money 
.
This rose and raspberry cake is a masterwork. The great skill, craft, and know-how that goes into each cake is plainly obvious. The attention to detail is amazing. When you slice into one of these beauties, there is a bit of surprise inside: a very pink interior with six rods of rose and raspberry gelee. The rods are positioned in such a way that as you slice through the loaf, you have identical patterns in each portion. The flavours in the gelee are strong, but the rest of this dense, almond based cake has a very subtle, gentle taste. There is something very dainty and feminine about the ispahan cake. It makes me think of beautiful Edwardian ladies, all dolled up in their finest, having afternoon tea.
In all honesty, although this cake was perfectly lovely, and most definitely beautiful, I did feel that it lacked a certain wow factor which I feel that an £18 (very small) cake demands. For that price, I really do expect to be bowled over, so while I really liked this cake, I wouldn’t rush back to buy another. All in all, I’d rate it an 8/10.
What a fun exhibit to visit. Rita Hayworth was Hollywood glamour. I was sure the cake was going to be a 10/10. The color is so lovely. Too bad it wasn’t a complete knock-out.
Sounds like a terrific exhibit. Sadly, I won’t be making it to London anytime soon- maybe it will travel to the states? Love the shot of Marilyn! Sorry to hear that the cake was a let down. I’m with you- for that kind of money I’d expect it to be a knockout, too!
Dear HH – I can’t think of anyone who must enjoy that exhibit more than you my dear diva-gal-pal. It’s tailor made for you dahling!
And that cake – an hermes? Maybe not perfect but what a nice ending
chow! Devaki @ weavethousandflavors
What a fantastic exhibit! Love all those pictures and that cake looks beautiful!
That picture of Marilyn Monroe is amazing. She is so gorgeous. The cake is gorgeous too
Love this post! Hollywood was glamorous back then, not ho-hum like it is now. That cake may be dear, but it is glamorous as well. Pierre Hermé is the one and only and you are paying for this really. His brand of glamour.
The cake looks as glamous as those super stars! This is totally insane. I almost fainted.
)
Kristy
I would absolutely adore seeing this exhibit. Gorgeous photos! And the cake? I would really have to taste it before I commit myself but does sound rather romantic.
Wow ! This rose and raspberry cake makes me hungry! I’m addicted again to eat cakes! It looks very beautiful and delicious, it is good to prepare this coming Christmas, and sometimes, a cake for a birthdays..:) Thank you for sharing this. Keep it up!