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The Glamour Aesthetic of Gene Tierney

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Gene Tierney wasn’t known as the most talented actress in Hollywood. She never won an Oscar. She didn’t merge into character roles in her later years.  But she grew as an actress and she naturally evoked mystery.  What really went on behind that remote facade?  Grace Kelly was perhaps the actress whose looks most resembled hers. The white luminous skin and cool guise belied an inner turmoil in the case of Tierney, which she was able to channel in her acting when required. Although Gene is somewhat aloof like Grace Kelly, there is a profound warmth that comes through in her performances. This must be why I favor her over Kelly as an actress. 

“The Get Girl”, Gene Tierney acted in the 1940’s and 50’s.  She was admired for her striking features, including her high cheekbones and sparkling green eyes. I can’t help but wonder if she was Taylor Swift’s inspiration for the iconic Wildest Dreams music video, embodying the simultaneous anguish and glamour of old Hollywood. Don’t ask me how I know anything about Taylor Swift; I just do. (Look it up and you’ll see what I mean, although Taylor also evokes Ava Gardner in Mogambo. Moving on…)

BIOGRAPHY

Gene Eliza Tierney was born to affluent parents in Brooklyn New York, in 1920. Her mother, Belle Lavinia, was a former teacher, and her father Howard Tierney was an insurance broker. During a visit to the Warner Brothers Studios at the age of 17, Gene was told by director Anatole Litvak that she should work as an actress. However, her parents were adamant about her taking her position in society. As a result, Gene studied and worked on Broadway, and made her motion picture debut in 1940 alongside Henry Fonda in The Return of Frank James.

In 1941, she married Oleg Cassini, a fashion and costume designer known for being a bit of a casanova. Their marriage was tumultuous, beginning with an elopement to Las Vegas that horrified Gene’s parents. Their marriage lasted until 1952. Fittingly, he romanced Grace Kelly next and was even engaged to her for a stretch prior to her marriage to the Prince of Monaco. (A favorite fact of mine about Oleg Cassini is that he received the James Herriot Award (All Creatures Great and Small) as the Man of the Year from the Humane Society of the United States for his work and love for animals. He was one of the first to create man-made fur for his fashion lines, called “Evolutionary Fur.”.)

FILM

Laura (1944): It wouldn’t be the 1940’s without a good old-fashioned film noir, and Laura is one of the most celebrated film noirs in film history. It tells the story of a Manhattan detective named Mark McPherson, who is investigating the murder of a high-profile executive named Laura Hunt. As he interviews those closest to Laura, trying to collect the pieces of the mystery, he grows more and more entranced by her, and begins to develop feelings for the victim of his case. She has a sweetness about her in this film but she’s unreachable and doesn’t connect for me. Perhaps she was still numb after the birth of her daughter Daria, who was born with a mental disability blamed on a case of German measles Gene contracted while pregnant.

Leave Her To Heaven (1945): Leave Her To Heaven follows Gene Tierney as the beautiful, mysterious, and unstable Ellen Berent. While on a train, writer Richard Harland meets Ellen and the two begin chatting. There’s a comic scene in which she’s staring at him in the coach, making him uncomfortable as he fidgets with his newspaper and cigarettes. It reminds me of the scene in I Love Lucy when Lucy is staring at William Holden over the side of his booth at the Brown Derby, making him squirm. In the world of romantic comedies, this would be the beginning of an adorable love story, but this drama tells the tale of the unraveling of this relationship when Ellen leaves her fiance for Richard, only for Richard to discover that she is dangerously jealous. This is the first film I saw of Tierney’s and she made a lasting impression on me. She very subtly displays Ellen’s inner distress that leads to a shocking conclusion. She was nominated for an Oscar for this role, deservingly so.

The Ghost & Mrs. Muir (1947): In The Ghost & Mrs. Muir, a young widow named Lucy Muir departs London with her young daughter to start anew in a seaside cottage following the death of her husband. When she discovers the ghost of the former owner, captain Daniel Gregg, she stands up to him, thus beginning an unlikely friendship. She decides to write his memoirs as a favor to her new friend, as well as a way to support herself and her daughter financially. But when a charming young man (who has a pulse) enters the picture, Lucy and Captain Daniel must confront their feelings for each other. This is a fun movie and Gene has electric chemistry with Rex Harrison. I would’ve loved to see them paired again. Find me a ghostly man, if he’s anything like Rex Harrison!

FASHION

Gene donned many stunning looks that celebrated her sensual, delicate femininity. Ranging from flowing to tailored silhouettes and utilizing a variety of rich textiles and fabrics, her chic moments are still deliciously aspirational by today’s fashion standards. We rounded up some of Gene’s most iconic looks, and using the links below, you too can channel your inner Hollywood starlet!

 Nothing says laid-back elegance like the relaxed silhouette of this look from “Leave Her To Heaven”. To emulate this classic outfit that’s equal parts comfortable and chic, throw together these pieces.

I I love the stunning simplicity of this glasses-trench combo. The drama of the collar is spot on, and this entire fashion moment oozes effortless, classic style. Pull any look together instantly by adding these similar items to your winter outfits.

gene tierney black gown

Okay so perhaps my  little black dress (aka “LBD”) isn’t quite as little as it used to be, but I can still aspire. Whether an elegant gown or a simple well-fitted sheath, this should be a staple in every woman’s wardrobe.  With the holidays coming up, rich black fabrics are the perfect way to elevate every look, whether you use it as an accent on a top or bag, or lean into the gorgeous drama of a gown the way Gene Tierney did! Here are a few options inspired by this rich velvet number to bring a little old Hollywood glamour to your wardrobe in whatever way makes sense to you, along with similar accessories to match!

There’s something so beautifully feminine and soft about a powder-blue set with a chic cognac-colored bag to match. Get a similar, coquettish look inspired by these three stills by adding the following items to your closet!

BEAUTY

No sartorial moment is complete without the perfect hair and makeup to pull it together! Gene Tierney’s signature look featured a delicate, curled hairstyle, plump red pout, luminous skin, high cheekbones and defined eyebrows. To achieve Gene Tierney’s signature look, try these tips and products at home!

Gene Tierney Hair Tutorial

“Setting” is the process used to achieve those classic, Hollywood curls Gene Tierney frequently wore. To try at home, follow these simple steps!

  1. Using a small amount of styling mousse, spray, or gel, work a styling product through the hair, beginning at your roots and working your way down to the ends.
  2. Place your hair in rollers. Small rollers will create bouncier curls, whereas a larger roller will create large waves. Taking small sections of hair, wrap each section around the roller. Begin with the roller at the bottom of the section, and work your way up towards the scalp. Leave rollers in for 20 minutes.
  3. Blow Dry hair in rollers to set the curls. Begin with the heat setting for a couple minutes, and then switch to the cold setting for a couple more.
  4. Remove the rollers carefully, beginning with the bottom rollers. Lightly run fingers through the curls to loosen and place them. Follow by combing through with a wide-tooth comb, part on the side, and finish the look with hairspray!

You can also click on THIS SITE for more ideas on hairstyles.

 
milanifoundation
  • To pull off glowing, ethereal skin like Gene, we recommend Milani Conceal & Perfect Foundation. It’s reasonably priced, offers even coverage, comes in a variety of beautiful shades, and glides perfectly on giving skin a dewy, angelic, camera-ready glow!
mented lipstick red
  • For a sultry smile like Gene’s, a deep red lipstick is essential. While finding that perfect classic Hollywood shade of red can seem overwhelming, don’t fret– we found a sexy solution by Mented Cosmetics in this:  Velvet Red Matte Lipstick, Red and Butter, Vegan, Cruelty-Free.  With its matte finish and nourishing formula, this lipstick is sure to give you luscious lips just like Gene’s.
maybelline eyeliner
brow pencil
  • Finally, to get carefully styled, arched brows like Gene’s, you’ll need a highly pigmented, precise brow pencil. Look no further than the NYX Professional Makeup Micro Brow Pencil! It comes in an assortment of shades, smoothes on evenly creating a natural blending effect with brows. The intense pigment will give you the drama of Gene’s brows with a few simple strokes. It features a comb on the other end of the pencil for blending.

Voila! Your Gene Tierney-inspired look is complete. Now get ready to sign some autographs and smile for all your adoring fans!

 

CONCLUSION

Whether she was wowing audiences with her breezy performances, or making headlines for her tumultuous offscreen life, Gene Tierney is a pop culture figure who lives on through her timeless beauty. We can all take a page from Gene’s book to this day, from the way she showcased a gorgeously feminine aesthetic to the way she portrayed her characters with both ease and depth.  We salute you Gene!

Do you have a favorite fashion icon from the 1940’s?  Comment below.

If you like reading about beautiful Old Hollywood stars, see my post on Ava Gardner HERE.

BIO

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FASHION/BEAUTY

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FILMS

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4 thoughts on “The Glamour Aesthetic of Gene Tierney”

    1. I agree with you that they look nothing alike. The comparison was just regarding the design of Taylor Swift’s outfit in her video. I suggest that perhaps Ms.Tierney was an inspiration to her. Thank you for your comment!

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