Revlon's Queen of Diamonds

I've blogged before about Revlon's use of alluring names for it's lipstick and nail polish colors.  In this ad from November of 1954, Revlon introduced it's new color "Queen of Diamonds".  New "real-thing-red" for lips and matching fingertips...a bright-hot, white-hot flame like acres of diamonds flashing with fire!  This is the red that turns every other red pale with shame.

That's Carmen Dell'Orefice at age 23.  Carmen is still working as a model today and is known for her stylish gray hair these days.  In the photo here, she is either wearing a wig or her hair has been colored gray, but it's an interesting portent of how beautiful she would continue to be as she aged.

In order for the red lipstick and nails to stand out, Carmen wears a white satin gown adorned with rhinestones.  And what a gown it is!  It is by designer Zita.  I've never heard of her and can't find any information about her.  If you know anything about Zita, please let me know in the comments.  Look how the curving rows of rhinestones accent Carmen's already tiny waist. 

Of course, you can't advertise a product called "Queen of Diamonds" without real diamonds.  The jewels in the photo are by Harry Winston.

But most of all, I want that fan.  Red feathers with a rhinestone encrusted handle?  Yes, I want it please. 

Revlon and the Romance of Color

Dear Readers: Your blog hostess is in need of a break. This week, I will be republishing random posts from the last 5 years. As always, your comments and suggestions are very welcome. Thank you for being here!

Charles Revson, founder of Revlon Cosmetics, was a genius at marketing. He understood that the way to sell more cosmetics was to entice women with romance, allure, and a touch of class. Revson was the one who came up with the idea of introducing new colors in lipsticks and nail polishes twice a year, to co-ordinate with fashion trends. Where before, a woman would buy one lipstick and use it until it was gone, now she had to have a wardrobe of lipstick colors to match different outfits and occasions.

The real genius, however, was the introduction of alluring names. Red wasn't red - it was "Fire and Ice" or "Fatal Apple".


Pink wasn't just pink - it was "Pink Lightening" or "Acapulco Pink".

Here is a television commercial for Revlon's newest color for 1960, "Berry Bon Bon". Even though the ad is in black and white, can't you just "see" the rich red/pink shade? And don't you want to own it? By the way, "Berry Bon Bon" was one of Revlon's best selling colors, and was in the line for years and years. It has been discontinued, but you can still find this now rare color online at a couple of places.

Fashion Plate

The title of this ad from 1948 is "Fashion Plate", and isn't she? The model exudes stunning sophistication in shades and variations of white. The coat and hat are by Lilly Daché. What a hat! It's not many women who can wear a dive-bombing dove on their heads and not look silly. The statement brooch and earrings are antiques from A La Vielle Russie. A sumptuous pair of kidskin gloves match the hat. And the perfect makeup sets off the entire look. As it should.....


....because this ad was for Revlon's new "Fashion Plate" cream wafer foundation. "Like a wonderful hat - it changes you instantly with the radiant illusion of poreless-as-porcelain perfection."