Celebrating Women - Elizabeth Taylor

Hello Blog Buddies!

Following on with another post from my 'Women of Style Collection' I would like to present another fascinating women from the Megan Hess selections of drawings... Ms Elizabeth Taylor.

Elizabeth Rosamond Taylor was born in London, England on February 27th, 1932. Her parents, Sara and Francis Taylor were American art dealers. Ms. Taylor lived in London until the age of seven, when the family left to return to the United States. Relocated to the city of Los Angeles to be near family, a young Elizabeth Taylor was quickly noticed for her striking beauty and subsequently asked to partake in a screen test. Universal Pictures quickly employed her with a contract and 'There's One Born Every Minute' (1942) was the resulting movie. Ms. Taylor was ten when the movie was released. Universal Pictures did not renew her contract after that year but Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) studios saw her star potential and quickly hired 

the young Elizabeth.

(Source: Wikipedia.com)

The first major film Ms. Taylor made with MGM was 'Lassie Come Home'. After this was made, the production studio signed the young girl 'with violet eyes'  for a full year. She had two rather small parts in 'White Cliffs of Dover' (1944) and 'Jane Eyre' (1943) before appearing in the movie that would make her a star. Ms. Taylor played Velvet Brown opposite Mickey Rooney in 'National Velvet'. The movie went on to make a large sum of money, ensuring Ms. Taylor a long-term contract with MGM. Ms. Taylor went on to make several more movies around this time of her life, including, 'Courage of Lassie' (1946) and 'Little Women' (1949).

(Source: Thefashioneaste)

Throughout the 1950's, Ms. Taylor appeared in an impressive, and very long list of films. She earned an Oscar Nomination for her role in 'A Place in the Sun' (1951) and also went on to make some of her most famous movies, including, 'The Last Time I Saw Paris' (1954) along with 'Elephant Walk' (1954) and 'Giant' (1956). 

(Source: Colchide.com)

In 1957, 1958 and 1959 Elizabeth Taylor was nominated for three Academy Awards for 'Raintree County' as well as 'Cat on a Hot Tin Roof' and 'Suddenly, Last Summer', respectively. 

(Source: Stylecaster.com)

Finally, in 1960, Elizabeth Taylor brought home the 'golden statue' for her performance in 'Butterfield (1960) in which she played the character, Gloria Wandrous.

(Source: Wikipedia)

After a three year break from making films, Elizabeth Taylor starred in a film that, at the time, was the most expensive production ever made. 'Cleopatra' (1963). The film was an enormous undertaking and took years to complete. This epic production earned the actress one million dollars in salary.

(Source: Wikipedia.com)

Following a number of movies, Ms. Taylor would go onto receive her second Oscar as the unkempt character, Martha in 'Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf'? (1966) 

This Oscar was universally regarded by many 'well deserved'. 

(Source: Realstyle.com)

Elizabeth Taylor's acting career began to decline in the late 1960s although she did go 

on to make several more movies which included 'straight to television' productions as 

well as for theatres. 

(Source: Actitudfem.com)

Elizabeth Taylor's personal life was well documented in the media of the time. She was married eight times to seven men, led an impressive (and highly indulgent) lifestyle and her personal jewellery collection was one of the most expensive collections ever privately owned.

(Source: Pinterest.com)

Ms. Taylor's medical history is also well documented. She endured
several serious illnesses and ailments including Scoliosis, respiratory infections, hip replacements and was also the first 'A-List Celebrity' to check into a rehabilitation centre. In February, 1997, Ms. Taylor was successfully operated on for the removal of a brain tumour. 

From the beginning of the 1990s to her death, Elizabeth Taylor dedicated her time to charity work and philanthropy. She was the first celebrity to launch her own perfume brand ('White Diamonds') and she also co-founded the American Foundation for AIDS Research. 

(Source: Topnews.in)

Ms. Taylor received both American and British awards honouring her astounding career. In 1993 she won the AFI Life Achievement Award, in 1997 the Screen Actors Guild Honorary Award and in 2000 she was made Dame Elizabeth Taylor by Queen Elizabeth II.

(Source: Dailymail.co.uk)

It has well been documented that Elizabeth Taylor was the last star of the 'Classic Hollywood Era'. As the 'studio system' of controlling actor's public image came to an end, Ms. Taylor was the classic film star held up as someone different to the masses. She was, perhaps one of the first celebrities to encounter paparazzi photography and significant personal intrusion. 

Her private life was of such interest, Elizabeth Taylor subsequently became famous... for being famous... and laid down a media template for entertainers in the future.

After many years of ill health, Ms. Elizabeth Taylor died from hear failure in 2011. 

She was seventy-nine.

Here is a flat-lay I created inspired by the Megan Hess card, and of course, by 

Dame Elizabeth Taylor, herself!

This London 'book' is actually a box. As I have already stated in another Blog post, I really love the design of the Union Jack. (And of course, Ms. Taylor was born in London.)

Now, I realise Ms. Elizabeth was not French, but the title of the book is actually in a lovely bright red, and the red lipstick on the cover also 'sealed the deal'.

My love of red and polka-dots has not gone un-noticed... 

These gorgeous cards were designed and created by the fabulous Emma Smith at Emma Smith Stationery. You can find her story Here

as well as her website Here

... As too my love of red lipsticks. 

(Shout out to Louise at The 'Read Me Blog' Here who is always 'rocking a red'!)

So there you have it. A fabulous women who truly lead a fabulous life.

Have you watched any Elizabeth Taylor Movies? Let me know!