In an era of instant filters and fast fashion, we keep reaching backwards to the soft-focus glow of old Hollywood. From the silhouettes sewn with intention to a time when beauty felt slower, richer and more enchanting, pieces of the past slip into the present: in the way we dress, the movies we watch and the icons we still idolize.
This magnetic pull toward nostalgia isn’t accidental. It’s a cultural impact, paired with a desire to bring back the romance and artistry that once defined glamour. Audrey Hepburn’s delicate grace, Gene Tierney’s haunting beauty and Marilyn Monroe’s softness shaped what we now call “old Hollywood,” and it’s not surprising why.
Each of these women became a blueprint for glamour. Their presence was intentional and their style was carefully crafted, not algorithm-driven like it is today. There’s mystery in their images, as well as a sense of allure and poise that feels rare in our modern era. We’re drawn to them because they embody a kind of beauty that feels untouchable; almost sacred.
Beauty in the mid-20th century wasn’t trend-chasing, but character building. Many of the looks we see on red carpets, runways and in TikTok videos today are echoes of these defining moments in beauty history, a mark of confidence and femininity that has reigned supreme since the 1940s. From Monroe’s glossy cherry lip combo to modern matte formulas, the red lip remains a timeless power statement. The cat eye, which was perfected by icons like Hepburn and Elizabeth Taylor, created instant drama.
Today, the past is resurfacing in soft glam, “clean girl” makeup and even editorial runway shows. The structured curls of the ’40s and ’50s symbolized glamour while modern versions, such as looser waves, finger curls and “old money” blowouts are dominating styling tutorials as people try to emulate the past.
The current resurgence of blurred, velvety finishes mirrors that vintage filmic glow. Vintage beauty wasn’t rushed; it was ritualistic. Recreating these looks today lets us step into that same sense of intention.
From cinched waists to pearl-studded accessories, vintage fashion has a way of making the wearer feel polished and romantic. Classic silhouettes such as A-line dresses, pencil skirts and bias-cut gowns are constantly referenced in modern collections. Brands like Dior, Miu Miu, Simone Rocha and Vivienne Westwood routinely draw from mid-century archives, proving that the past never truly leaves the runway.
Movie magic also shaped our understanding of glamour. Films from the ’40s, ’50s and ’60s were curated in intentional lighting with vivid costuming and emotional storytelling. Even now, modern cinema pulls from those eras, seen in Damien Chazelle’s “La La Land” (color, whimsy and “old Hollywood” references), Ti West’s “Pearl” (1940s rural glam meets horror), Chazelle’s “Babylon” (’20s excess through a modern lens), Andrew Dominik’s “Blonde” (Monroe reimagined) and Todd Haynes’s “Carol” (1950s romantic melancholy). Today, directors return to vintage aesthetics because they transport us instantly back in time. It’s visual nostalgia at its strongest.
We’re living in a moment where vintage style feels more revived—TikTok trends like “old money,” “vintage coquette” and “silent film star makeup” are rapidly growing in popularity. Celebrities such as Lana Del Rey, Zendaya, Ana De Armas, Margot Robbie, Florence Pugh, Dita Von Teese, Emma Stone and Rooney Mara channel retro beauty in both editorials and red carpets, drawing inspiration from old Hollywood.
Fashion brands are also constantly releasing archive-inspired collections, using the past as influence for the present. Even in thrifting and sustainability-based environments, people gravitate towards vintage shopping with the desire to own unique and inimitable pieces. In a digital world of overstimulation, vintage aesthetics offer escape, softness, and a sense of individuality.
We don’t necessarily want to live in the past; we just want the feelings we associate with it. There’s a universal desire for that classic slower beauty, elegance, artistry, and connection to timeless femininity.
Vintage aesthetics remind us that glamour can be a practice, not just a look. The beauty of nostalgia is that we get to choose the pieces worth bringing forward. The silhouettes, the icons, the glowing skin, the red lips and the cinematic lighting — we keep them alive because they still inspire us.
Glamour in Rewind celebrates that magic: a reminder that the past continues to shine, not because it was perfect, but because it taught us how to dream in style.
SHOOT LEAD Hala Alyounes / PHOTOGRAPHERS Jupiter Justice, Hala Alyounes, Maylatt Eyassu / MODELS Hala Alyounes, Pragalya Arumugam, Lizzie Porter, Sophie Wu, Shekinah Tuazon, Jane Anabila
SPECIAL THANKS to Thurber House for allowing us to photograph in their space. Find them here!
