Like the celebrities of today, Louise Brooks’ name and image was used in a number of advertisements and advertising campaigns. Beginning in 1926 with the “Louise Brooks Evening Gown” and running through the LUX soap campaigns of the late 1920s and early 1930s, Brooks’ name, image and likeness was used to sell all manner of products and consumer goods — not only in the United States, but also elsewhere around the world. Here is one example.
Along with Viola Dana and Dorothy Mackaill, Louise Brooks was one of a few movie stars who were featured in different advertisements for the Bradley Bathing Suit. Brooks is the “star” of the ad shown below, which ran in Photoplay magazine in July, 1928 — though this particular advertisement also includes up-and-comers Dorothy Dwan, Nick Stuart, and Dorothy Gulliver. (The latter was included in an advertisement for Deltah Pearls which also featured Brooks.) The caption next to Brooks reads, “You don’t need to be told, of course, that this is LOUISE BROOKS, Paramount featured player. She whispers, ‘My Bradley has IT!”
I wasn’t able to find out much about Bradley Knit Wear or the Bradley Knitting Company of Delavan, Wisconsin, except that they were in business for business for decades.
Louise Brooks did some modelling work in the late 1920s, either at the insistence of paramount, or on her own in order to earn extra money. As a matter of fact, there are a number of photographs floating around the internet of Brooks modelling this or that — everything from dresses and jewelry to bathing suits. I am not sure how the following photographs fit in to any sort of advertising campaign or promotion, but since Brooks is modelling swim wear, I thought I would include them here.
These three pictures were shot by Gene (Eugene) Robert Richee, a Paramount photographer. The snipe on the back of one of them reads, “IT IS JUST AS IMPORTANT to be correctly costumed for the beach as it is for the ballroom. Louise Brooks, youthful Paramount player, admits that bathing outfits are her special hobby, and this picture proves the fact. Silk Jersey in jade green fashions the suit, which might be considered a background for the large initial on the left shoulder embroidered in a deeper shade. The accent of the costume, however, is found in the beach robe of heavy ratans, hand blocked in a galaxy of hues. Bright orange fringe borders the robe.” The snipe should be taken with a grain of salt, as I really don’t believe bathing outfits were her special hobby, and, I don’t understand the usage of the word ratans.
And for good measure, three photographs of dark-haired Sally Blane, Louise Brooks and blonde Nancy Phillips at the beach. I believe, but am not certain, that these pictures were taken in Southern California around June 13, 1928. The snipe on one of them mentions that Brooks brought along a Japanese tea service in her car, as well as a thermos bottle.
