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 campaign in 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 are three examples for related products.
From what has been found in various magazine and newspaper archives, Louise Brooks appeared in advertisements for two different purses or hand bags, and apparently, also for a cosmetics vanity. This page on the Louise Brooks Society Archive highlights those related advertisements.
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| Meeker Made Hand Bag | Terri Vanity | Whiting & Davis Costume Bag |
The advertisement on the left, which ran in October, 1927 in Photoplay magazine, is for Meeker Made hand bags, whose ad claims to be the “Largest Manufacturers of Steerhide Leather Goods in the U.S.A.” (I am uncertain if this company still exists, but a Google search turns-up numerous examples of their distinct hand bags. According to this ad, they also made Purses — Vanities — Bill Folds — Novelties.) “Louise Brooks Carries One” declares the ad for the Joplin, Missouri company. The ad reads, in part, “Everywhere you see them! Everywhere that you meet people who are particular in the matter of dress. The choice of Meeker Made leather goods by well known personalities is a compliment to the high quality of this merchandise.” Below Brooks’ image, the caption reads “Louise Brooks charming Paramount Star appearing in late photoplays Rolled Stockings and Evening Clothes specially posed with her exquisite Meeker Made Bag”.
The piece in the middle, which appeared in Screenland magazine in 1926, is for the Terri Vanity, from Terri Incorporated of New York. (Read more about this company HERE.) The text reads, “Si Chic . . . Si Charmante . . . this Smart Oval Vanity initialed with one’s individual monogram! It conceals every necessite’ de beaute’, every convenience Madame requires — even to her cigarettes! The rich leather-effect case is embellished with plated bands of white or green gold. Fitted compartments for full mirror, rouge, powder, keys, coin, cigarettes and comb. Any jeweler can inscribe your initials. At Department Stores, Jeweler’s and better class Drug Stores — Price $7.50.”
The advertisement on the right, for Whiting and Davis Costume Bags, appeared in Ladies Home Journal in October, 1928. (Whiting and Davis, which is still around, were based in Norfolk County, Massachusetts. In this ad, the company claimed to be the “World’s Largest Manufacturers of Costume Bags” and the “Makers of Costume Jewelry for Everyone.”) Such bags, this particular ad declares, were “The Mode in Hollywood.” The ad’s text reads, in part, “Whiting & Davis Enameled Costume Bags are colorful accents to colorful personalities. Louise Brooks, Paramount player, carries a gleaming Whiting & Davis Costume Bag with a smart all-black ensemble — a deftly enlivening touch.” The ad notes that the bag pictured adjacent to Brooks illustrates an enamel costume bag, silver plated, and four inches wide.
Three photographs of Louise Brooks modelling hand bags have also surfaced, with two of them specifically related to the Meeker Made image. The third image, shown on the right, appears to have been taken at the same photo shoot, as Brooks clothes are the same, though the hand bag being shown is noticeably different.
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| Modelling a Meeker Made Hand Bag | Modelling a Meeker Made Hand Bag | Modelling a Meeker Made Hand Bag? |