Compact (cosmetics)

Last updated
Art Deco Rowenta enamel rhinestone compact Rowenta enamel rhinestone compact.jpg
Art Deco Rowenta enamel rhinestone compact
Vintage art deco style compact, c. 1960s, made by Stratton of Birmingham Vintage compact1.jpg
Vintage art deco style compact, c.1960s, made by Stratton of Birmingham
A modified compact containing coding on the mirror, designed to be used by CIA operatives - date of production unknown source: CIA Concealment Device (Modified Ladies Make-Up Compact) - Flickr - The Central Intelligence Agency.jpg
A modified compact containing coding on the mirror, designed to be used by CIA operatives – date of production unknown source: CIA

A compact (also powder box, powder case and flapjack) is a cosmetic product. It is usually a small round metal case and contains two or more of the following: a mirror, pressed or loose face powder with a gauze sifter and a powder puff.

Contents

History

Compacts date from the early 1900s, a time when make-up had not gained widespread social acceptance and the first powder cases were often concealed within accessories such as walking sticks, jewellery or hatpins. [1]

From 1896, American handbag manufacturer Whiting & Davis created lidded compartments in its bags where powder rouge and combs could be stowed. In 1908, Sears' catalogue advertised a silver-plated case with mirror and powder puff (price 19 cents) and described it as small enough to fit in a handbag. [1]

In the US, manufacturers such as Evans and Elgin American produced metal compacts with either finger chains or longer tango chains. Designed to be displayed rather than fitted in a handbag, they required more ornate designs and many from this era are examples of sleek Art Deco styling. [1]

As make-up became more mainstream and women were increasingly active outside the home, compacts became more popular. British manufacturer Stratton began importing part-finished powder boxes from the US for assembly at its Birmingham plant in 1923 and by the 1930s it was creating them from scratch and producing half the compacts used by the UK cosmetics industry. [2] The company developed self-opening inner lids in 1948, designed to protect the powder and prevent damage to fingernails, and by the 1960s it was exporting to agents worldwide. [2]

Designs and variations

Compacts were heavily influenced by prevailing fashions – for instance, the 1922 discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb spawned Egypt-inspired obelisks, sphinxes and pyramids, while the growing popularity of the car meant compacts were incorporated into visors, steering wheels and gears. [1] Jewellers such as Van Cleef & Arpels, Tiffany and Cartier began producing minaudières, metal evening bags/vanity cases carried on a metal or silk cord that contained a compact plus space for a few other small items, many were inlaid with jewels or personalised. [3]

By the 1930s, compacts were regularly updated to match the season's fashion trends and gimmicks such as watches and even miniature windscreen wipers were included in designs. [1] Later, compacts became popular souvenir items, both the Chicago and New York world's fairs of the 1930s included souvenir powder cases, and during holidays. [1]

Decline

Although compacts continued to be in widespread production up to the 1960s, their popularity diminished as the cosmetics industry created plastic containers that were designed to be discarded once the powder ran out. These began to be heavily advertised from the 1950s. Writing in Americana, Deirdre Clemente suggested that changing make-up trends, notably for natural rather than pale and powdered complexions from the late 1950s on, contributed to the declining popularity of the compact. [1]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blender</span> Home appliance used to mix or crush food

A blender is a kitchen and laboratory appliance used to mix, crush, purée or emulsify food and other substances. A stationary blender consists of a blender container with a rotating metal or plastic blade at the bottom, powered by an electric motor that is in the base. Some powerful models can also crush ice and other frozen foods. The newer immersion blender configuration has a motor on top connected by a shaft to a rotating blade at the bottom, which can be used with any container.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chanel</span> French fashion house

Chanel is a French luxury fashion house founded in 1910 by Coco Chanel in Paris. It is privately owned by the Wertheimer family and has been headquartered in London since 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Louis Vuitton</span> French international fashion house

Louis Vuitton Malletier, commonly known as Louis Vuitton, is a French luxury fashion house and company founded in 1854 by Louis Vuitton. The label's LV monogram appears on most of its products, ranging from luxury bags and leather goods to ready-to-wear, shoes, perfumes, watches, jewellery, accessories, sunglasses and books. Louis Vuitton is one of the world's leading international fashion houses. It sells its products through standalone boutiques, lease departments in high-end departmental stores, and through the e-commerce section of its website.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Handbag</span> Handled bag used to carry personal items

A handbag, commonly known as a purse in North American English, is a handled medium-to-large bag used to carry personal items. It has also been called a pocketbook in parts of the U.S.

Katherine Noel Valentine Brosnahan Spade was an American fashion designer, entrepreneur, and fashion icon. She was the co-founder and co-owner of the designer brand Kate Spade New York.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Judith Leiber</span> Hungarian-American fashion designer and businesswoman (1921–2018)

Judith Leiber was a Hungarian-American fashion designer and businesswoman.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Toolbox</span> Box used to organise, carry and protect tools

A toolbox is a box to organize, carry, and protect the owner's tools. They could be used for trade, a hobby or DIY, and their contents vary with the craft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Satchel</span> Bag

A satchel is a bag with a strap, traditionally used for carrying books. The strap is often worn so that it diagonally crosses the body, with the bag hanging on the opposite hip, rather than hanging directly down from the shoulder. The back of a satchel extends to form a flap that folds over to cover the top and fastens in the front. Unlike a briefcase, a satchel is soft-sided.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">It bag</span> Type of bag

An It bag is a high-priced designer handbag that has become a popular best-seller. The phenomenon arose in the fashion industry and was named in the 1990s and 2000s. Examples of handbag brands that have been considered "It bags" are Chanel, Hermès and Fendi.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Longchamp (company)</span> French leather goods company

Longchamp is a French leather goods company, founded in Paris in 1948 by Jean Cassegrain. The company pioneered luxury leather-covered pipes before expanding into small leather goods. Longchamp debuted women's handbags in 1971, becoming one of France's leading leather goods makers. Today, the company designs and manufactures leather and canvas handbags, luggage, shoes, travel items, fashion accessories, and women's ready-to-wear. The house is privately owned and managed by the Cassegrain founding family and does business in 80 countries through around 1,500 retail outlets.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hidesign</span> Indian leather goods manufacturer

Hidesign is a leather goods manufacturer based in Pondicherry, India. In 2018, the company had operations in 24 countries including the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Kenya, United Arab Emirates, Spain, Portugal, New Zealand and Sri Lanka. The leather goods segment of Hidesign contributes to 160 crore of revenue.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">History of Italian fashion</span>

The history of Italian fashion is a chronological record of the events and people that impacted and evolved Italian fashion into what it is today. From the Middle Ages, Italian fashion has been popular internationally, with cities in Italy producing textiles like velvet, silk, and wool. During the Middle Ages and Renaissance, Italian fashion for both men and women was extravagant and expensive, but the fashion industry declined during the industrialization of Italy. Many modern Italian fashion brands were founded in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and in the 1950s and 1960s, Italian fashion regained popularity worldwide. While many clients of Italian fashion designers are celebrities, Italian fashion brands also focus on ready-to-wear clothes.

Yoshida & Co., Ltd. is a Japanese manufacturer based in Tokyo that designs and produces bags and accessories. Founded by Kichizo Yoshida in 1935, the company is best known for its PORTER and LUGGAGE LABEL brands of products.

H.J. Cave & Sons is a London-based fashion house specialising in luxury leather accessories. Founded in 1839 by Harriet Jane Cave. H.J. Cave is believed to be the first designer of the modern leather handbag.

Radley is a London-based, British accessories brand which designs and manufactures luxury handbags, purses and other women's accessories for UK and international markets. The brand was founded by Lowell Harder in 1998.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stratton (company)</span>

Stratton is a brand of powder compacts, lipstick holders and other devices and containers for cosmetics, made in Birmingham, England. the company also made costume jewellery.

Kathrine Baumann is an American actress, model, and couture handbag designer. She established Kathrine Baumann Beverly Hills (KBBH), a haute-couture accessory and handbag collection. Several of her creations have been purchased by celebrities and have been carried to red-carpet events.

Pop & Suki is a fashion accessories brand by friends Suki Waterhouse and Poppy Jamie. The direct-to-consumer brand focuses on personalization and uses playful, minimal, girly designs and a signature "millennial pink" color. Its main item is the camera bag, a handbag modeled on the fanny pack. The brand launched online in November 2016 and has since hosted a pop-up shop and multiple collections. It is particularly popular among celebrities and on Instagram, in part based on Waterhouse's influence.

Miles Cahn was an American businessman and designer who co-founded the Coach Leatherware Company, now known as Coach, Inc., with his wife, Lillian Cahn, in 1961. The Cahns founded the luxury fashion company, now known for its handbags, when they purchased a ting mall wallet manufacturer, then located in West 34th Street in Manhattan, and renamed it Coach. Under the guidance of Lillian and Miles Cahn, Coach was among the first to introduce lines of purses and handbags that were both fashionable and practical.

Lancel is a French Maison of luxury leather goods, founded in Paris in 1876 by Angèle and Alphonse Lancel and developed by their son Albert.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Clemente, Deirdre. "About Face: The emergence, evolution, and demise of the decorative compact". americanpopularculture.com. Americana. Retrieved 25 July 2014.
  2. 1 2 Miller, Judith. "Stratton Compacts". millersantiquesguide.com. Miller's Antiques Guide. Archived from the original on 22 September 2018. Retrieved 25 July 2014.
  3. LoAlbo, Stacy (2009). Vintage Fashion Accessories. Lola, WI: Krause Publications. p. 206. ISBN   9781440202513 . Retrieved 25 July 2014.[ permanent dead link ]