Phoenix Art Museum...100 years of Maybelline...Sharrie Williams

I was delighted to be invited to speak at the beautiful, Phoenix Art Museum, hosted by the Arizona Costume Institute on September 11, 2013.  After several months working with Ronna Beeson, ACI Program Chair  2013 -2014, The Maybelline Story kicked of the Fall Season

 with a colorful, entertaining  successful event.

https://www.facebook.com/sharrie.dorney/videos/674811279196300/

100 Years of Maybelline

 Maybelline descendant and author of The Maybelline Story, Sharrie Williams will reveal through vintage ads and family photos why women love their cosmetics. Book signing to follow; book available in the Museum store. Tickets for optional lunch available.

Close to 100 people attended an elegant buffet luncheon.

Ronna Beeson and Sharrie Williams finally meet, after months of emailing and detailing the engagement.

My beautiful daughter Georgia, on the left, took pictures

 and video taped some of my presentation.

A packed Lecture Hall, included journalist, students of fashion as well as interested Art Museum members and non-members who read about it in the paper.

My 45 minute presentation was filled with interesting facts, funny anecdotes and priceless vintage Maybelline ads and family photos.  As an Award Winning Toastmaster and professional speaker, I believe my audience enjoyed it all.  

After the presentation, I signed books. 

It was wonderful hearing how people have used Maybellilne since they were kids and now want to know more about the history of the company, as well as Tom Lyle Williams.

My collection of Vintage Maybelline products from 1915 to 1970, were displayed in a covered Lucite case.   

Sharrie Williams in a vintage Ralph Lauren, pale pink double breasted Silk-Linen pantsuit, with Jan Herwick, President of Arizona Costume Institute.

                                    

Maybelline coins the word Ultra for Beauty.

"Ultra Brow Brush-On is the Secret" the ad read in 1965, and a new word for Beautiful was coined by Maybelline.

The Ultra Girl takes the place of the IT Girl, in 1965

Here I am on the left with my sister Donna,
 the Ultra Saffrons.

With my best friend Pearl.  Senior's in High School and me with dreams of becoming a Maybelline Model.

So when I graduated I drove my blue and white hard top 57 Chevy straight up to Unk-Ile's and asked him point blank if I could be a Maybelline Model.  He said I certainely had the the eyes, the personality,
and the talent, but, that if he let me have such a special position it would cause jealousy with the rest of the girls in the family.  "But, Sharrie," he said, "if you go to college and get a degree in Marketing I will open every door for you!"


Did I take my great uncle's advise, knowing he had the power to take me straight to the top of the ad game?  What do you think?  What would you have done? 


If you want the full story please get your copy of
The Maybelline Story today and find out if I made the right decision or not.