The Easter celebrations traditionally continue into the Monday and the best way to spend it is maybe watching a classic holiday movie evoking the Spring joys of Easter with a fashion twist about it.
"Easter Parade" is the perfect choice: directed by Charles Walters this musical comedy/love story featuring music by Irving Berlin, relates the story of dancing team Don Hewes (Fred Astaire) and Nadine Hale (Ann Miller) who break up when Nadine decides to go solo.
Don finds a new partner, Hannah Brown (Judy Garland), but they will need some time to be able to perform absolutely perfect dancing routines and songs.
The film features costumes by Irene Maud Lentz (women's) and Fred Valles (men's) and jewellery by Eugene Joseff.
One of Hollywood's top costumes designers, Irene became the head costume designer at MGM, where she replaced Adrian.
She was known for her sophisticated evening gowns and designed iconic costumes for Lana Turner and Judy Garland.
There are definitely a lot of ideas to work on in the costumes donned by Hannah and her rival Nadine in "Easter Parade": bold colours prevail in the dance numbers, such as the tap dancing routine in which Nadine moves frantically and sensually in a black and bright yellow costume.
There are also some clever sartorial designs such as the navy blue jacket donned by Hannah and matched with a long red skirt, the jacket is long with two large pockets on the front, but it is short and cropped on the back.
There are two moments in the film with strong fashion connections: one comes towards the end of the movie, and consists in the song "The Girl on the Magazine Cover" (Richard Beavers singing, Miller dancing). As you may remember, this number features an ingenious choreography with a series of dancers and models framed by covers of various magazines and a triumphing Nadine stepping out of Harper's Bazaar.
The first fashion moment actually comes at the very beginning when we see Don in a formal and elegant suit buying Easter presents for Nadine. He dances down the street singing "Happy Easter" to everyone and stops at a department store where young women model several Easter bonnets for him: there are all sorts of hats in this section of the film – covered with flowers, enriched with beaded embroideries, lavishly covered in feathers or decorated with lace, in shades going from red and pale yellow to emerald green and wisteria lilac.
There are also two Easter parades in the movie: one with Nadine dressed in a lavish costume with matching dogs (yes, she loves matching her dogs to her outfits…) and one with Hannah, in a simpler yet elegant white gown accessorised with long pink gloves and a white wide brimmed hat decorated with roses, an ensemble reflecting her naive yet ebullient personality, and singing "In Your Easter Bonnet" together with Don.
There's another reason why you may want to re-watch the film: this year the movie turns 70, it was indeed released in June 1948 and became the most financially successful picture for both Garland and Astaire.
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