Me! That's right, I now own the original 70's cast resin, molded figure sculpt used to create the amazing bronze Charles Awards for the annual NHCA (National Hairdressers and Cosmetologists Association) "Style Maker Award" ceremonial celebration. Each year (beginning in 1974) association members selected their favorite overall "style maker" of that year from a top ten list of famous, trendsetting ladies. Some of the past winners included: Victoria Principle, Marie Osmond, Stephanie Powers, Donna Mills and (see below) Olivia Newton-John and Linda Evans. Many other nominated superstar beauties included: Raquel Welsh, Joan Collins, Lynda Gray, Elizabeth Taylor, Cybill Shepherd, Kim Novak, Connie Sellecca, Priscilla Presley, etc. That's right, you had to have great hair and unmatched make-up style to achieve one of these outstanding awards!
The sculpt itself is still in great condition and soooo nicely constructed by St. Louis local artist, Edna Goodenough, --and especially when you see how incredible it looks in its final bronze award version below! Included with the sculpt was also (thankfully) a complete folder of providence revealing the back 'n forth correspondence and invoicing between Edna and NHCA for the statue design and finished creations, --complete with Edna's personal notes and scribbly doodles a'plenty! Also included, tons of glamorous nominee photos, historic NHCA news articles regarding many of the Style Maker Award events, and even info on the male version of this award, which apparently Tom Selleck won (though that award isn't nearly as visually amazing as a nude struttin' nymph!) It is indeed my great honor to take possession of this piece of award history via my friend Jane who was best friends with Edna (RIP.) And Happy Valentine's Day, everyone!
4 comments:
Wow that's absolutely gorgeous, and kind of an interesting look at the molding process. I wonder if the mold that was made from this had the arms; or if they were cast separately and glued onto the final product.
Poor Tom Selleck, he gets a Easter Island Baby as a style maker!
I have no idea why Marie Osmond didn't win every year. I suspect skullduggery during the voting! :)
On the scale of greatness this is an Eleven Plus!
Beauty and history all in one perfectly sculpted figure.
Someone out there must have the skill and technology to digitally scan this image in order to make 3D images of this beautiful statue, though it would have to be in silver or bronze so as not to be confused with the real Style Maker Awards done in gold.
Wow! That is a neat bit of history and art all rolled up together. I love the idea of collecting the originals behind massed produced stuff, be it printing plates, animation cels, etc. I never even imagined it was possible to acquire the original sculpts of award statuettes, though. I assumed they'd all be long gone after the initial molds were cast. Of course, now you're going to have to lay your hands on an actual award some day, just for comparison's sake. Time to start cold calling famous beauties, I guess.
>Poor Tom Selleck, he gets a Easter Island Baby as a style maker!
Well, it's still better than his Best Mustache of the Year Award-- that thing is truly ludicrous!
>On the scale of greatness this is an Eleven Plus!
I was thinking at least a 12 or 13!
>now you're going to have to lay your hands on an actual award
I believe since Brian has some weird connection to Marie Osmond, that'll be the best place to start! haha
Thanks for the comments :)
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