Mae West as Peaches O'Day in 'Every Days a Holiday' Designed by Elsa Schiaparelli

Turn-of-the- century style royal blue wool twill figure hugging gown, four tier flounces at skirt and upper sleeves, large ivory satin collar with cord work in various shades of blue, hidden pocket under each upper sleeve flounces, fitted long sleeves, zipper back.

It is almost a crime that Mae West does not get the recognition she deserves as a leading figure in the development of Hollywood and especially for pushing the boundaries in representing women in film. She was an independent woman who made her screen debut at age 40 and had total artist control of her career (which was unheard of at the time), wrote thirteen of her films, often had a say in the co-stars and directors, became the highest paid star in Hollywood, was largely responsible for saving Paramount Studios from bankruptcy and in 1940 her name was entered in the dictionary.

She had refined her character which was mostly based on the perpetuation of her sexual image and her ability to write comedic lines with double entendres that would drive the censors crazy but clever enough to get around them. She was often attacked by religious organizations and politicians as being a threat to the youth with her “obscene, indecent, immoral, and impure drama.” But, for the most part, the public loved her. After temporarily leaving films she continued to tour in plays, night club acts and record albums.
When it came to her fashion, Mae West was extremely specific and very controlling. She knew exactly what her image was and what worked for her. She often paid for and kept most of her wardrobe and because of that fact, she took incredibly good care of it. She often stated that her clothes should be tight enough to show she is a woman and yet loose enough to show she’s a lady. Her clothes, headdresses and shoes were also creatively constructed compensate for her slightly rounded 5’2” frame. No photographs were released without the approval of Mae West (and usually with the editing to reduce her figure).

She also never stopped working or making appearances, which may have contributed to the downfall of her image. She never gave up her sexual outrageous character even at an age where she probably should have. She was a complex, mysterious woman who was nothing like her public persona in real life. Much has been written about her and the complexities of this woman who was way ahead of her time and refused to assimilate into the time she was in.