Article: Rita Hayworth was the ultimate feelgood girl for feelbad times. Now, as Brenda Polan explains, her high-octane sex appeal is back in fashion again; self discovery.

Byline: BRENDA POLAN

1946

The dress

RITA HAYWORTH'S screen goddess reputation was sealed by her smouldering appearance in the 1946 film Gilda. The costumes were by the French-born American couturier Jean Louis. Hollywood placed few limits on budgets and the studios had hoarded stocks of fabric and craftspeople.

Women in Britain, however, had to cope with post-war austerity. From 1941 onwards, clothes rationing had allowed them 66 clothes coupons a year. A dress cost 11, a skirt seven, shoes five. So there was a sewing machine in every household, and a little dressmaker who worked for a pittance - in every street.

Hayworth ...

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