The Maybelline Story

Erte’ – Ziegfield Follies, Maybelline in the 1920’s.

By Sharrie Williams · Written January 2012 · 2 min read

 “Through these portals pass the most beautiful girls in the world.”


Erte’ – Ziegfield Follies, Maybelline in the 1920’s.

 The Ziegfeld Follies were famous for many beautiful chorus girls commonly known as Ziegfeld girls. Florenz Ziegfeld’s theatrical spectaculars known as the Ziegfeld Follies, were based on the Folies Bergère of Paris….


Erte’ – Ziegfield Follies, Maybelline in the 1920’s.

Erte costumes and sets were featured in the
Ziegfeld Follies of 1923,


Erte’ – Ziegfield Follies, Maybelline in the 1920’s.



 Erté’s theatrical innovations were countless, including “living curtains” (showgirls with plumes and pearls, festooned by embroidered trains.





Erte’ – Ziegfield Follies, Maybelline in the 1920’s.

The Ziegfeld girls paraded up and down flights of stairs semi-nude, as anything from birds to battleships. 




Erte’ – Ziegfield Follies, Maybelline in the 1920’s.

These beauties, of similar size, decked out in Erté designs, gained many young male admirers and they became objects of popular adoration.








Erte’ – Ziegfield Follies, Maybelline in the 1920’s.

 Ziegfeld Girls, including Paulette Goddard, Barbara Stanwyck and Louise Brooks became Maybelline models and were featured in future ads throughout the 1930’s and 1940’s. 

Erte’ – Ziegfield Follies, Maybelline in the 1920’s.



Though beautiful Phyllis Haver was rejected by Ziegfeld after auditioning in 1915, Tom Lyle immediately saw her appeal and featured her in several Maybelline ads during the 1920s.



Erte’ – Ziegfield Follies, Maybelline in the 1920’s.



 Tom Lyle Williams, Entrepreneur, King of Advertising, President of the Maybelline Co.





Erte’ – Ziegfield Follies, Maybelline in the 1920’s.



Flo Ziegfield, The Ziegfeld Follies,
 “Glorifying the American Girl.”


Erte’ – Ziegfield Follies, Maybelline in the 1920’s.



Erté – elegant fashion designs – art deco –





Erte, Flo Ziegfeld and TL Williams, were synonomous with fashion, style and glamour during the 1920’s and were instrumental in spotlighting beauty, throughout the 1930’s – But only Maybelline has remained a Global brand, into the 21st Century.





Ziegfeld Follies Girls, 1907 -1931.

Coming soon · Next from Sharrie Williams

Maybe She’s Born With It

The next chapter of the Maybelline family story. Get a text the day it’s out.

Where it began: The Maybelline Story — Amazon · Ebook · Signed copy