Billie Holiday’s Favorite beauty products and Fashion
Billie Holiday was born on April 7, 1915, and passed away on July 17, 1959. She was known professionally as an American Jazz singer with a career spanning 26 years. Her nickname was “Lady Day” by her friend and music partner Lester Young. Holiday had an innovative influence on Jazz music and pop singing. Her vocal style was inspired by Jazz instruments and pioneered a new way of manipulating phrasing and tempo. Billie was known for her vocal delivery and improvisational skills. Throughout the 1930s and 1940s, Holiday had mainstream success on labels such as Columbia and Decca. By the late 1940s, however, she was beset with legal troubles and drug abuse. After a short prison sentence, she performed at a sold-out concert at Carnegie Hall, but her reputation deteriorated because of her drug and alcohol problems.
I was researching Billie’s holiday and found an amazing article from 1937 in the issue of The Afro-American, which is a black interest newspaper.
Reporter Lillian Johnson sat down with Lady Day herself in her dressing room of the Royal Theater. She dished something delightful over the personal wardrobe and habits of the iconic vocalist.
Billie Holiday’s Dressing Room ensemble consisted of peach-coloured dressing gowns, light blue satin mules and a ring set with diamonds. Her favourite colours for her wardrobe included black, white and green. There were several clothing items on her dressing room door, including a soft fleece sport coat in dark gray with a blue fox collar. There was also a short woollen jacket in brick red, a long slender wristwatch set in diamonds. Her stage attire consisted of a long black chiffon-fitted evening gown with a black satin underslip with rhinestones at the neck. She also wore three gardenias in her hair. Billie wore silk tea rose underwear that was found in her dressing room, according to the reporter.
Bille Holidays favourite perfume and makeup:
Max Factor Blender
Emeraude by Coty is an Oriental fragrance for women. Emeraude was launched in 1921. The nose behind this fragrance is Francois Coty. Top notes are Bergamot, Lemon and Orange; middle notes are Brazilian Rosewood, Ylang-Ylang, Jasmine and Rose; base notes are Opoponax, Benzoin, Vanilla, Amber, Sandalwood and Patchouli.
Soir de Paris (Evening in Paris) by Bourjois is a Floral fragrance for women. Soir de Paris (Evening in Paris) was launched in 1928. The nose behind this fragrance is Ernest Beaux. Top notes are Violet, Peach, Apricot and Bergamot; middle notes are iris, Heliotrope, Rose, Ylang-Ylang, Jasmine and Lily-of-the-Valley; base notes are Amber, Sandalwood, Vanilla and Musk.
