Creating a 1930s Wig

Research into 1930s History:

Following from the roaring 1920s, the 1930s fell into a recession with mass unemployment. ‘On Tuesday 29th October 1929 the Wall Street Crash caused a cataclysmic chain of events which affected nearly every country across the globe. The Great Depression, also known as ‘The Slump’ infiltrated every corner of society, affecting people’s lives between 1929 and 1939 and beyond. In Britain, the impact was enormous and led some to refer to this dire economic time as the ‘devil’s decade’.’ (Brain J, ND) Although the 1930s was a trying time with unemployment and poverty, the era had some highlights such as Amy Johnson shown in figure 2, being the first women to fly an aeroplane from London to Australia.

On the back end of the 1930s: 1st September 1939, World War Two began. Germany invaded Poland, Great Britain and France responded by declaring war on Germany.

Figure 1,2 & 3

1930s fashion:

‘As the 1920s turned into the 1930s, women’s fashion softly evolved from the boyish look of the previous decade into the feminine silhouette of the early thirties. Hemlines descended back to ankle length and waistlines moved back to their natural place.’ (Fashion history timeline, 2019) The 30s style hugged curves and created a softer feminine look, this was achieved with midi length dresses and skirts, puff sleeves and belted wait lines. Women took most inspiration from actresses and movie stars for fashion inspiration.

Figure 4 - 8

Influential people of the 1930s:

Greta Garbo

Greta Garbo was an American-Swedish actress finding fame in silent movies through the 30s portraying tragic characters.

Figure 9

Bette Davis

After moving to Hollywood in 1930 Bette Davis found fame in a film called ‘Of Human Bondage’ (1934) Spanning her acting career over 50 years. She’s known for her forceful and intense style of acting. Bette Davis had a very classic 30s look with fluffy curled hair and thin eyebrows.

Figure 10 & 11

Hairstyles of the 1930s:

From the short boyish haircuts of the 20s, women’s hair in the 1930s was grown to chin length or shoulder length. The 1930s adapted some of the styles and techniques from the previous decade, such as the finger wave however it was a softer wave and with more volume at the bottom of the hair. The hairstyles seemed more relaxed and with more volume compared to the 20s. This was achieved by swapping the wet finger wave for a marcel iron technique.

When researching for the hairstyles to fit a 1930s role, the hair and makeup artist would most likely use a shorter wig or the actress's natural hair depending on budget and hair style.

Figure 12- 21

1930s interpretation in film and televison:

Water For Elephants – Film 2011

Set in the 1930s

Reece Witherspoon as Marlena Rosenbuth

Hair department head : Frida Adadottir

Makeup department head : Jean Black

Figure 22

Cable girls - Netflix 2017

Set in 1931

Hair department head : Mara Collazo

Makeup designer : Montse Boqueras

Figure 23

Serena, 2014

Jenifer Lawrence as Serena Pemberton

Set in 1930s

Hair designer & makeup designer : Graham Johnston

Figure 24

From the examples above, the hair and makeup designers stay relatively accurate to the time period by having the shorter hair with a sleek soft finger wave into fluffy curls at the bottom of the hair. This style could be achieved with either the actress’ natural hair (depending on the length) or a human hair wig.

Creating a 1930s wig:

Fgure 25

Using a short human hair wig, the front of the hair is set in a deep side parting with small green flocked rollers rolled away from the parting. The green rollers are available from the following link: https://thewigdepartment.com/products/781-24mm-green-flocked-hair-roller-6-5-cm-long?_pos=5&_sid=eed546628&_ss=r. This is done to create large volume and a subtle finger wave at the front.

Figure 26

The back of the hair is set into rollers in a standard brick set with two rows for small red flocked rollers to create more volume and tighter curls and the back of the hair. The red rollers can be purchased from The Wig Department via the link : https://thewigdepartment.com/products/779-18mm-red-flocked-hair-roller-6-5-cm-long?_pos=7&_sid=269f5c027&_ss=r

Figure 27

The nape is placed into two rows of pin curls in alternative directions for each row with end papers.

Figure 28 & 29

All rollers and pin curls are removed to create a large bouncy hair ready to be brushed out.

Figure 30 & 31

The hair is fully brushed out leaving more volume underneath the hair. Following the natural setting pattern a soft finger wave is formed in the hair around the top of the head leaving the curls underneath. The curls are brushed through and smoothed with oil for a more refined look.

Figure 32 & 33

The finished 1930s hairstyle with a fascinator accessory to finish off the look.

Reflection:

In review of the 1930s hair, the student enjoyed the set with the rollers as it was a shorter wig with fine hair, therefore the set was fast and done in 30 minutes. However, the student struggled with the hair when dressing out. As the student couldn’t mould the hair with the set direction, this effected the finger wave. The hair was difficult to manage due to the thinness and hair loss on the wig, From the previous set being the 1920s on a thick long wig with a more firm technique progressing onto the 1930s after with a thin wig and delicate dress out threw the student off. After receiving criticism from the tutor and not being able to grasp the dry finger wave technique, the student lost enthusiasm and desire to continue with the wig. Resulting in the final look being unpolished and not up to industry standards.

Extra looks:

Taking inspiration from figure 17 and figure 21, the student created a glamour style wave which could also fit into 1940s. Using their natural hair the student curled their hair and formed a soft finger wave to frame the face.

Figure 34 & 35

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Dictionary:

Marcel iron – A metal heated instrument named the first curling iron

References:

Brain J (ND) the great depression [internet] https://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK/HistoryofBritain/Great-Depression/ [accessed 25/11/20]

Fashion History timeline (2019) 1930-1939 [internet] https://fashionhistory.fitnyc.edu/1930-1939/ [Accessed 20/12/20]

Figures:

Figure 1

(British Library, ND) Great depression [image : internet] https://www.bl.uk/learning/timeline/item107595.html [accessed 25/11/20]

Figure 2

(Wikipedia, ND) Amy Johnston [Image : internet] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amy_Johnson [accessed 25/11/20]

Figure 3

(Express, 2013) Holidaying in Britain how times have changed [image : internet] https://www.express.co.uk/entertainment/books/414014/The-way-we-were-a-look-at-holidaying-in-Britain-in-the-1930s [accessed 26/11/20]

Figure 4

(Fashion history timeline, 2019) 1930-1939 [Image : internet] https://fashionhistory.fitnyc.edu/1930-1939/ [accessed 20/12/20]

Figure 5

(Find my past, ND) stockings and siren suits 1930s womens fashion [internet : image] https://www.findmypast.co.uk/1939register/stockings-siren-suits-women-fashion-1939/ [accessed 2/12/20]

Figure 6

(Vintage Gal, 2015) my 1930s fashion obsession [image : internet] http://vintagegal.co.uk/vintage-fashion-2/1930s-fashion-obsession/ [accessed 2/12/20]

Figure 7

(Retro waste, ND) 1930s Fashion : what did people wear? [Image : internet] https://www.retrowaste.com/1930s/fashion-in-the-1930s/ [accessed 2/12/20]

Figure 8

(love to know, ND) Fashion of the 1930s [image : internet] https://mens-fashion.lovetoknow.com/Fashion_of_the_1930s [accessed 07/1/21]

Figure 9

(Time note, ND) Greta Garbo [image : internet] https://timenote.info/en/Greta-Garbo [accessed 2.12.20]

Figure 10

(Wikipedia, ND) Bette Davis [image : internet] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bette_Davis [accessed 2/12/20]

Figure 11

(Harpers Bazaar, 2017) Bette Davis most glamorous looks [image : internet] https://www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/features/g8727/vintage-bette-davis-photos/ [Accessed 2/12/20]

Figure 12

Book : Art Deco hair hairstyles from the 1920s & 1930s, Turudich D (2013) 1930s sleek hair [Image] Streamline Press, Chicago

Figure 13

Book : Art Deco hair hairstyles from the 1920s & 1930s, Turudich D (2013) 1930s accessories [Image] Streamline Press, Chicago

Figure 14

Book : Art Deco hair hairstyles from the 1920s & 1930s, Turudich D (2013) 1930s marcel iron waves [Image] Streamline Press, Chicago

Figure 15

Book : Art Deco hair hairstyles from the 1920s & 1930s, Turudich D (2013) 1930 hairstyles [Image] Streamline Press, Chicago

Figure 16

Book : Art Deco hair hairstyles from the 1920s & 1930s, Turudich D (2013) 1930s marcel iron finger wave [Image] Streamline Press, Chicago

Figure 17

(Hairstyle camp (ND) Best 1930s hairstyles trending again [Image : internet] https://hairstylecamp.com/1930s-hairstyles/ [accessed 20/12/20]

Figure 18

(Vintage dancer, ND) 1930s fashion history [Image : internet] https://vintagedancer.com/1930s/1930s-long-hairstyles/ [accessed 20/12/20]

Figure 19

(Pinterest, ND) [image : internet] https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/554857616561594487/ [accessed 20/12/20]

Figure 20

(Pinterest, ND) [image : internet] https://www.pinterest.co.uk/ShavonneBroom/black-hairstyles-c19301940s/ [accessed 20/12/20]

Figure 21

(Vintage dancer, 2018) 1930s hairstyles for long hair [image : internet] https://vintagedancer.com/1930s/1930s-long-hairstyles/ [accessed 7/1/21]

Figure 22

(anamilia Life, ND) water for elephants [image : internet] http://animalia-life.club/other/water-for-elephants-marlena-and-jacob.html [accessed 20/12/20]

Figure 23

(Ophrea magazine, 2020) Netflix series cable girls [image : internet] https://www.oprahmag.com/entertainment/tv-movies/a30715474/las-chicas-del-cable-season-5/ [accessed 4/12/20]

Figure 24

(Movie stillsDB, ND) Serena 2014 [image : internet] https://www.moviestillsdb.com/movies/serena-i1247690/UZBlmI [accessed 4/12/20]

Figure 25

(Radfelder A, 2020) Front hair set in rollers, York college

Figure 26

(Radfelder A, 2020) roller brick set, York college

Figure 27

(Radfelder A, 2020) Finished wet set with pin curls, York college

Figure 28

(Radfelder A, 2020) All rollers removed, York college

Figure 29

(Radfelder A, 2020) Front rollers removed, York college

Figure 30

(Radfelder A, 2020) Back view of hair, York college

Figure 31

(Radfelder A, 2020) Front view of styled hair, York college

Figure 32

(Radfelder A, 2020) Front view of styled hair, York college

Figure 33

(Radfelder A, 2020) Hair with accessory, York college

Figure 34

(Radfelder A, 2020) 1930s glamour waves

Figure 35

(Radfelder A, 2020) 1930s glamour waves