Vera West was the uncredited costume designer on Bride Of Frankenstein. She designed those slinky bias cut silk gowns on 393 mainly b moveis between 1928 and 1947 until she was mysteriously found drowned in her swimming pool after being blackmailed or murdered.
A prolific gown designer, I'm now want to see more of her work, she did the stunning gowns in Dracula and the Bride of Frankenstein is iconic. These are all low budget films and I wonder what the conversations were like between James Whale, Elsa Lanchester and Vera West in creating the look.
A prolific gown designer, I'm now want to see more of her work, she did the stunning gowns in Dracula and the Bride of Frankenstein is iconic. These are all low budget films and I wonder what the conversations were like between James Whale, Elsa Lanchester and Vera West in creating the look.
Elsa Lanchester played Dr Frankensteins monster bride, on screen for just a few short moments the disturbed bride is iconic. Frankenstein along with many of the other Universal monster movies are sad tales of humans fear of the 'other' and are modern hero's. Something James Whale the director could relate to in the 1930s where fascism and prejudice was building around the world.
The real monsters were always the people.
The real monsters were always the people.
I have seen the image of the Bride of Frankenstein so many times, mainly thanks to my husband @wingsart sketching a beautiful poster of Elsa Lanchester in the role. Thank you to him she now features in our door! And being a bride I though this fitting for our Halloween dress.
The dress was to be bias cut (classic Horror cut) in white and with a cape to nod to the shaping of the original. I loved the spiderweb dresses of the 1930s and 40s that vintage collectors had shared online and these were to adorn the shoulders of the cape in silver beads. What bride wouldn't want spiderweb shoulders?!
The Dress
The dress was built onto a heavily boned corset to enhance the hourglass and is hand draped over the bodice. The skirt is flared to reflect the other horror icons hem flaring out into a puddle train. I'm seriously wishing it was Halloween every month.
The dress sans Bride of Frankenstein still makes a stunning bombshell gown for any bride and the design will be added to the bespoke collection to under the name Vera after Vera West.
The dress sans Bride of Frankenstein still makes a stunning bombshell gown for any bride and the design will be added to the bespoke collection to under the name Vera after Vera West.
The Styling
Of course I was going to take the opportunity to do Bride of Frankenstein! Muslin for the bandages, one wig and black makeup. It was very fun and the dress feels incredible.