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In front of the Baltimore Hippodrome.

I love old movies – I love the theatrical scripts, the social commentary, the amazing fashion of the 1930s, 40s, and 50s, and the endearing but dated stylistic elements like dramatic dissolves and fade-to-black transitions. For a couple years in high school, Turner Classic Movies was the only channel I ever watched (really!).

For this fun shoot at the Baltimore Hippodrome Theatre, I wanted to recreate the look and feel of vintage film stills à la The Lady Eve, Gilda, or Dinner at Eight.

Thank you to hair and makeup artist Megan Horst at The Parlour in Towson, MD for collaborating with me on this post (Check out Megan’s blog – it’s fantastic!) and to the wonderful team at the Hippodrome Theatre at the France-Merrick Performing Arts Center for opening up the theatre to me.

There’s certainly a formula to old Hollywood glamour – take one slinky satin gown, add smooth controlled curls, mix with one part face powder and dark lips, and add a dash of glitzy accessories.

Dress | Fleur du Mal silk-satin slip dress

Bag | Whiting and Davis Birdcage Clutch

I picked a silk Fleur du Mal slip dress with a t-strap back for the first look, styled with a gold minaudière and black stiletto M. Gemi Nube pumps with sheer mesh cutouts. The second dress was an amazing red satin Nha Kanh gown from Rent the Runway that had a lovely swooping train that was so fun to wear.

Dress | Nha Kanh red Akane gown via Rent the Runway – use my link for $30 off your first order

Shoes | M. Gemi Nube pump – use my referral link for $50 off your M. Gemi order

Charm City has a rich artistic history, which the Baltimore Hippodrome beautifully exemplifies. The theatre was built on the site of a luxury hotel, the old Eutaw House, constructed in 1835. In 1914, the theatre opened as a movie palace and venue for vaudeville performances. In 1931, its reputation grew and it hosted top vaudeville names such as Bob Hope, Red Skelton, and Dinah Shore. Frank Sinatra performed at the theatre in the 1930s. The Hippodrome maintained a house orchestra playing live music well into the 1950s.

The 1970s and 80s saw a decline in business as the city’s population waned. The Baltimore Hippodrome stayed in operation until 1990 – the last operating movie theater in downtown Baltimore – but reopened after renovations in 2004, as a premier venue for touring entertainment, from Broadway shows, to comedy acts, musicians, and dance performances. I’ve seen several shows at the Hippodrome over the past few years, including the Blue Man Group, comedian Ali Wong, and various plays.

You can read the theatre’s full history here.

The Baltimore Hippodrome has some excellent shows lined up right now – next Tuesday, it’s hosting The National Ballet of the Ukraine in a performance of Don Quixote, and from June 5-10 there will be performances of On Your Feet!, the musical story of Emilio and Gloria Estefan. Click here for the full calendar of events, and I hope to see you at the Hippodrome Theatre soon!

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