Golden Globes shoe history
Jan 11, 2017 | by Becky Oeltjenbruns
Image from goldenglobes.com
Vintage friends, did you recently feel a disturbance in the force of the fashion world? Unfortunately it’s not because Target just announced that their newest designer collaboration will be with Steady Clothing. (Am I the only one dreaming of this?!) This fashionable shift is because celebrities were up to things this weekend. Yep, the glamorous Golden Globes were held on Sunday night. I didn’t watch the event unfold live (I was distracted by an “I Love Lucy” marathon on Decades TV). But you better believe I was checking out the fashion slideshows after the dust settled Monday morning.
While the gowns are always such a treat to feast your eyes on… the ruffles, the trains, the draping, the sleeves, what isn’t there to love?! But when the fab SJP posted a picture of her shoe options for the big night I realized how often I overlook the very foundation of a celebrity outfit: the shoes! So let’s learn a bit about the vintage arrivals that rocked the red carpet in this journey through Golden Globes shoe history.
Image from goldenglobes.com
The Golden Globes were founded a year prior to WWII ending. (I had no idea the ceremony had such a long history.) Interestingly enough the first group of winners didn’t get a golden globe – rather they were handed scrolls. I personally think the scroll thing sounds pretty cool (although the golden scrolls doesn’t have the same kind of jazzy, roll-off-the-tongue quality), but considering that they chose a globe on a pedestal in 1945 seems very appropriate. That year ushered in a renewed sense of hope that was truly global. The war was won and, in addition to ending the tragedies waged against humanity, the end of the global conflict also meant art could once again be fully embraced. Ingrid Bergman was among the award winners that year. Even though this early event was rather informal, I bet the energy was tangible on the day Ingrid walked up to get her gleaming statue.
Other notable, historical highlights include the establishment of the Cecil B. DeMille Award in 1952 and the Trailblazer Award in 1956 (which Walt Disney won). I’m a little bummed that the Newcomer Award stopped being awarded in 1983. The “graduating class” of this former accolade is pretty elite (Bette Midler and Diana Ross to name a couple). One last fun vintage tidbit: in 1951 separate categories were added for color films. But enough about the awards ceremony itself – we get it – it’s cool and historic. Let’s move on to the meat and potatoes of this feature already: shoes!
Marilyn Monroe in 1962 – image from Pinterest
Considering this whole affair started out as an informal luncheon, it’s a bit difficult to get clear photos from the early days. But never fear, with some intense research surely some good shoe pics will present themselves. Alas, no. Readers and fellow vintage shoe lovers… I ask you, what is the deal? Is it because the shoes weren’t that exciting back then? No! Is it because people weren’t obsessed with fashion brands and trends? No! My only conclusion is that red carpet coverage started “above the ankle” back in the day. There are plenty of articles out there archiving fantastic gowns, which is awesome, but the pics rarely show off the shoes.
In all of the photos I was able to find the choice is always the same – stiletto pumps of some variety (open or closed-toe). Given this information, SJP’s group of shoes nominated for her 2017 red carpet stroll fit right into a vintage mentality. Yet I have to go back to my earlier point – was there really a lack of shoe appreciation during the early Golden Globes era? Lovers of vintage fashion history know that can’t be true. After all, Marilyn specifically had Ferragamo custom make her shoes. These were shoes that launched iconic moments. That signature sway? One heel was slightly shorter than the other. That scene in The Seven Year Itch? Without those sexy strappy sandals, not nearly as sexy.
Readers I have to conclude that although Entertainment Tonight may not get a lot right, their shoe cam ensures that future generations will not have to wonder about the mid 2000s when they are looking through vintage shoe history. Let me know why you think there is a lack of vintage red carpet shoe photography in the comments below…