Marlene Dietrich was one of the most famous actresses and singers of the 20th century. She was born in Berlin in 1901 and began her career as a cabaret artist in the 1920s. She became internationally known with the film “The Blue Angel” (1930) and went to Hollywood, where she worked with directors such as Josef von Sternberg, Alfred Hitchcock and Billy Wilder. Dietrich was known not only for her acting talent and distinctive voice, but also for her unique style, which shaped the fashion of her time and still inspires today.
Dietrich was a pioneer of androgynous fashion. She often wore pantsuits, tuxedos, uniforms and other masculine garments, which she combined with feminine accessories such as hats, scarves, gloves and jewelry. She played with gender roles and showed that women could be both strong and elegant. She was one of the first women to wear pants in Hollywood, which was considered scandalous at the time. She once said, “I dress for myself. Not for the eyes of others or for fashion.”
Dietrich also had a sense of glamour and drama. She loved glittering gowns, furs, feathers and veils, which she wore on stage or at public appearances. She experimented with different hairstyles, makeup and lighting effects to enhance her beauty. She worked closely with her costume designers to adapt her outfits to her roles. She said, “I’m a product of the directors I’ve had.”
Dietrich was a style icon for many other stars and personalities, such as Madonna, David Bowie and Lady Gaga. She influenced the fashion of designers like Yves Saint Laurent, Jean Paul Gaultier and Tom Ford. She was portrayed by photographers such as Cecil Beaton, Horst P. Horst and Richard Avedon. She was admired by writers such as Ernest Hemingway, Truman Capote and Rainer Maria Rilke.
Dietrich died in Paris in 1992 at the age of 90. She left a legacy of films, songs and paintings that reflect her fashion and personality. She once said, “I was born of Germany – but I am not Germany.” She was a citizen of the world, a diva and a legend.