From 'little remarkable' to Brazilian Bombshell

Rio de Janeiro

In 1909, Carmen Miranda arrive in the Brazilian city.

In the late 1920s, Carmen helped her mother to serve tables in her inn which was frequented by names such as maestro Pixinguinha and his group, among other several local deputies and artists. In one of her presentations at the inn, she was discovered by the deputy Aníbal Duarte, who presented her to the musician Josué de Barros, being immediately invited to participate in a charity festival at the National Institute of Music.

Jacaranda choker
Choker on five jacaranda plates, carved, joined by gold metal ring used by Carmen Miranda. In the center, bigger board with baiana and beach landscape. Beside two plates with figures of rogues. Final plates, smaller, one with a tambourine and a rattle and one with a guitar.

Without much experience, she sang tangos and was invited to perform on the Radio. After a few presentations in the radios Society and Education, Josué de Barros invited her to record the songs: "Não vá simbora" and "Se o samba é moda" in a LP released at the end of 1929, but without much success.

Peacock clutch
Black velvet wallet used by Carmen Miranda, embroidered with golden yarns, on both sides, forming semi-circular motifs, with the center an open-tailed peacock. Details on head, chest and tail in blue and red wires. Black satin lining.

During the 1930s, she was known as “Pequena Notável” [Little Remarkable], “Embaixatriz do Samba” [Samba Ambassador], “Estrela Máxima” [Maximum Star], “Rainha do Samba” [Queen of Samba], “A pequena do It” [The little do it], “Ditadora Risonha do Samba” [Samba's Giggle Dictator]. In fashion, she started to be a reference, as she created her own singer and actress costumes. Carmen, with her financial independency, perfectly summarized the ideals of 20th century women.

Long dress of Madame Fifi's character- Copacabana (1947)
Long dress with tail worn by Carmen Miranda. Long sleeves and shoulders. In beige crepe covered by a black crochet net embroidered with green and red sequins and metallic beads. Waist-to-beam opening, with black tulle frill. Sleeves with metal snap fasteners. Zipper closure at the back.

From shop windows to the world, she revolutionized the standards of fashion at the time, in what became known as Miranda Look. In 1941, she went to Hollywood, making her first participation in films in the United States, becoming known internationally through technicolor.

Hollywood Walk of Fame Turban
Turban in beige fabric with stripes of gold metallic threads worn by Carmen Miranda. At the top, the fabric forms a kind of twisted bun lining a piece of acrylic blanket. Weft of straw lining.

As a fashion icon, Carmen was an example of the combination of elegance and exuberance, giving her models a unique touch.

Red velvet spencer
Spencer in red velvet covered by net of golden threads worn by Carmen Miranda. Long sleeve and shoulders. Open at the front. Beige satin lining.

Measuring only 1.53m tall, Carmen, since her adolescence, has always used high heels to value her curves. Her signature became the platform jump, inspired by Portuguese clogs.

Shoe worn at the Oscar Academy Awards (1941)
Dark blue velvet shoe used by Carmen Miranda, right foot. Open toe, peep toe style. Strips fastened in the upper, crossing the front, passing strips on the sides of the heel, clasp by buckle. Heels tapering on the back.

Even before becoming famous, Carmen always liked to adorn herself with costume jewelry. She used several props and when she started to use the stylized 'baiana' she abused the excess of necklaces and bracelets. Her costume jewelry was commissioned by her to artists of her confidence and always seeking to value her stature.

Treadmill bracelet
Treadmill bracelet formed by nine chains joined by carved strips, rings and double incised beads used by Carmen Miranda. In center rectangular plate in metal, relief of arabesques, interspersed of cabochons in the colors green, blue and red. In the center, red globulated stone, surrounded by colorless rhinestones. Two plaques in the clasp, flanked by cabochons in the colors red, green and blue.

Carmen Miranda's turbans were inspired by the clothing worn by the 'baianas' women who were common to see at Plaza Onze in the city of Rio de Janeiro since the beginning of the 19th century. With this exotic look, Carmen began to use various themes and materials in the making of all turbans.

Black Turban
Turban of black embroidered tulle with sequins of the same color worn by Carmen Miranda. Topped by arrangement of embroidered flowers with black sequins, net of plungers and large silver beads. On the set holder, black satin. From the right side, part of the arrangement hangs.

Between 1941 and 1955, Carmen made several presentations in theaters and nightclubs, married, traveled to Europe, Canada and Cuba. So much work made Carmen pay the highest US income tax as a female artist in 1946. Living in Los Angeles, she participated in thirteen more movies.

Top with silver, pink, yellow and green sequins
Bustier in bra shape worn by Carmen Miranda, heart neckline. Bulges structured with circular ring. Black fabric printed around the bulge and sides. Embroidered with silver, pink, yellow and green sequins covering most of the piece. In the lining, cotton mesh on the sides. At the top of the bumpers, metal hooks. Metal clasp sewn on side bands.

The 'baiana' skirt was, afterwards, adapted by Carmen Miranda herself to be used in one of her shows.

Baiana' Skirt worn at the show of Carmen Miranda in Las Vegas
Skirt in golden lame with waistband worn by Carmen Miranda. Skirt with embroidered ornaments in gold sequins and fruit applications in satin and velvet of various colors, embroidered with round sequins and in eye shape, stones and rhinestones. Waistband in beige tulle filled with rhinestone embroidery and sequins forming lozenges. Zipper closure and bracket on the back.

Baiana's Turban from Copacabana movie (1947)
Turban embroidered with pearly sequins worn by Carmen Miranda. Topped by fruit basket embroidered with sequins and beads. Among the fruits: pineapple, bananas, grapes and strawberries. Around the basket, red fruits of plastics and green leaves embroidered with sequins. On the right side hangs a bunch of grapes embroidered with sequins.

Green striped shoulder frill
Shoulders frill worn by Carmen Miranda, with four overlapping tule bands forming layers, the first being in a white tulle with horizontal bands of green sequins. Fabric in beige nylon and lace of metallic wires in silver and green. Elastic bands at the top, forming ruffles. Metal clasp sewn at the ends.

Green striped skirt
Evase skirt in crepe pierced in the front worn by Carmen Miranda. Three layers of ruffles. Shorter in the front. Embroidery with sequins in vertical green stripes and floral motifs. Application of fabric in the form of embroidered leaves with green sequins in the shape of stars. In the outline of the beam, row of green sequins. Beige crepe beads also embroidered with stripes. Nylon beads with silver and green metallic wires. Zipper closure and bracket on the back.

Shoulder frill
Shoulder frill worn by Carmen Miranda, with eleven tufted stripes of nylon and nylon overlapping layers, the first in gray, followed by dark pink, purple and another dark pink, glued to them, sequins in gold and pink. Elastic fringed bands at the top forming ruffles, the ends being applied with flowers armed in wire and sewn to tulles embroidered by green, pink, white and gold sequins round and pink stars. Metal clasp at the ends.

Shoes
Clog in silver pelisse. Open toe, peep toe style. Gasses and heels with application of gold thread and rhinestones. Platform heel with slope on the front and back; Rhinestones glued to the contour of the entire upper part; Five stones sewn in the back.

Scarf - back cloth type
Scarf back cloth type, in pale pink tulle, with applications of pink and golden sequins..

Top
Bustier in bra shape, heart neckline worn by Carmen Miranda. Bulges structured in circular ring. Embroidered with sequins in brown covering the whole piece; transparent rhinestones sewn in the central contour of two bows; in the center, beige satin ribbon. Cotton jersey lining on the sides. Metal clasp sewn on the side bands.

Green top
Bustier in bra shape worn by Carmen Miranda, heart neckline. Bulges structured in circular ring. Application of embroidered white tulle with sequins in green covering the whole piece. Cotton jersey lining. Metal clasp sewn on the side bands. Shoulder frill sewn on the sides of the bumps.

Blue tulle skirt worn at the last show of Carmen Miranda
Shirred skirt in blue nylon tulle with sequin applications in vertical stripes and flowers with rhinestone core worn by Carmen Miranda. Embroidered tulle blade with colorless sequins with three rows of rhinestones on the waistband, zipper back closure and hooks. Three layers of petticoat in blue, yellow and lilac tulle with ruffles on the bar.

Shoulder frill
Shoulders frill worn by Carmen Miranda, with seven layers of tulle superimposed in layers in blue, yellow and beige with gold sequins and glued rhinestones. Elastic bands at the top, forming ruffles. Stitched to bustier.

Shoe
Green velvet shoes. Open toe, peep toe style. Handle fastened near the heel in two points, clasp by mooring. Application of stones in blue and mirrored, gluing of sequins in the upper and the heel. Platform heel with slope on front and back.

Pectoral green necklace
Bead-studded pectoral-like necklace, used by Carmen Miranda,with studded green stones, pearly beads, rhinestones and green glass pendants. Upper part (neck) in beige fabric, on cloth, round and oval stones, interspersed with pearls. Below, laced more open, in stones of various shapes, green and colorless rhinestones and pearly beads, ending in length in rosette range. Finished in green glass pendants. Cover covered with pearly beads with square brackets.

Turban
Turban with application of green sequins worn by Carmen Miranda. Encased by arrangement of flowers, leaves and buttons with sequined application in the colors green, blue, red, gold, pink and rhinestones. At the top of the cap, leaked circle. Cotton lining

Career highlights

In 1948, Carmen Miranda completes her memorable season at the London Palladium. Her last film is released in 1953, where she appears alongside Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis. In the same year she toured in Europe, including 14 Italian cities. She was one of the first artists to perform at the newly opened Las Vegas casinos and participate in the new media vehicle, television.

Shoe worn on the London Palladium Show (1948)
Gold pelisse shoe used by Carmen Miranda, left foot. Open toe, peep toe style. Strips fastened at two points of the upper, crossing in front and passing through strips on the sides of the heel, clasp by mooring. Straight platform heels, slightly sloping front and S-shaped back.