Maybelline "It-Girl" Clara Bow passed away 47 years ago on September 27th 1965

 She was only 60 years old and was best remembered as the roaring twenties leading sex symbol.

In honor of her I have taken this Maybelline Clara Bow illustration from the 1920's and placed it on this adorable vintage mini-make-up bag - now available on my blog at http://www.maybellinebook.com/p/make-up-bags.html

At the time Clara Bow was staring in Silent Films, Maybelline's little red box looked like this,

and came in liquid form as well.

Here is what the original Maybelline box looks like on my mini-make-up bag.

These little bags are great organizers for quickly locating many lost items in your purse.

And this is the sexy "It-Girl" illustration, featured in a Maybelline advertisement in the 1920's.

Before Maybelline... the eyes were the one feature on the

 face completely and positively overlooked.  Image that!!!

Part one of Clara Bow Documentary.

And as always I'd love your comments and please be a guest blogger on my Maybelline Book Blog. Contact me at maybellinebook@gmail.com.

Maybelline-It-Girl, Clara Bow unleashes the Excitement of the Roaring 20's.
http://www.maybellinebook.com/2011/04/maybellines-it-girl-clara-bow-unleashes.html

Maybelline family Veteran William Preston Williams, WW1.

This Memorial Day marked the 5TH anniversary of my father's death and brought to mind the War Heroes in the Maybelline Family.  Here are a few pictures of my grandfather Williams Preston Williams as he prepared to leave his home and family and fight for our Country during World War l.

This is what Chicago looked like when my grandfather William Preston Williams joined the Navy in 1917.  He was just 18 years old with visions of being a War Hero.  Like so many boy's from the Lost Generation he imagined the war would quickly end and he'd return unscathed by the ravages of battle - only to be greatly disillusioned with a broken spirit.

This is what was going on in the Maybelline Family at the same time.  Tom Lyle introduced Maybelline to the public as Silent Film became popular and Silent Film Stars were seen on screen with heavily made up eyes.

Theda Bara "THE VAMP" - 1917.  This is what was going on in Hollywood when WW1 broke out.  Women began to be conscious of the their eyes and buy Maybelline.  An interesting fact -  Maybelline was sent in an unmarked package insuring the buyer her privacy since Maybelline was so frowned upon at the time.

1917 Maybelline became available through mail order. 

Screen from the Silent Film WINGS.  This is what Preston was heading into.  He was a rear gunner on one of those Flying Sticks in the sky.




Preston with his parents Susan and TJ.  His mother was grief stricken after already losing her first son, Pearl to TB and the thought of losing another son to War was too much for her.  TJ on the other hand was proud his son was fighting for his Country like so many Patriots that went before him in the Williams Family.  He also thought the Navy might straighten his wild card son up a bit. 
                                                                               

Preston was leaving his family to go fight the enemy, an enemy he and so many young American boys thought would be easy to destroy.  It was far from easy, and Preston came home with Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome, never to be the same again.  Here he is with his little sister Eva on the left, Frances Allen, Tom Lyle Williams Noel James Williams and Bennie Gibbs.

Mabel Williams on the left with her brother Preston, Helen, one of the first Maybelline models, Frances Allen Williams, Bennie Gibbs and Tom Lyle Williams in front of his new "PAGE "Convertible in Chicago. 

Tom Lyle enlisted as well but was denyed service because he was the sole supporter of his entire family according to his draft card in 1917.  Noel was married to Frances and also supported the family managing the Maybelline Company. He might have been too old for service at the time. 

 If you have read The Maybelline Story these pictures will enhance the visual for you.  If you haven't purchased a signed copy yet just click on maybellinestory.com and one will be mailed to you directly.  I will continue with WWll Maybelline family Veterans tomorrow.  Stay tune for more wonderful pictures and stories.