Moonlight at the Ranch: Chapeau, makeup was Flappers’ signature!

And just as the flapper symbolized the 20s, nothing symbolized the flapper more than their trademark hats and sultry makeup.

You’ll want to “23-Skidoo!” to when the Jazz Age reigned for a rat-a-tat- time partying with flappers, flyboys, dames, gangsters, Lindbergh and Mickey Mouse as Steamboat Willie at Moonlight at the Ranch IV: “The Roaring 20’s!” on September 18.

The Honorary Chairman of the Moonlight celebration is acclaimed actor and Academy Award-winning director Kevin Costner, famed “G-Man” Eliot Ness in the “The Untouchables.” Due to his busy schedule, Costner’s presence has not yet been confirmed.

Flappers’ distinctive look created a craze for fashion as well as a behavior. Their “toppers” ranged from headbands decorated with feathers and/or jewels to cloches that could be dressy or casual. The Roaring 20s was definitely the decade of chapeaus, and the genuine article - hats manufactured during the Jazz Age - are highly collectible.

Chicago-based hat designer Sonia Caceres, owner of Graceful Butterfly, specializes in hats that any flapper would have died for - that is if she couldn’t get her “Sugar Daddy” to buy one as a little present. “I adore the hat designs of the 1920’s era,” said Sonia, who owned a popular Chicago vintage boutique before she realized she enjoyed the artistic creation of displays more than sales, and launched her online Graceful Butterfly specializing in nouveau vintage hat design.

“I feel so connected to the 1920s, as if I had lived during that time. The fashion of that era speaks to me like no other. It feels so familiar, as if I was a part of the making of its history. I’ve been in a relationship with that time period since I was a child.

“Although there are other decades that exude the loveliness of a beautiful chapeau, of course my personal favorite is that of the 1920’s flapper girl.” Sonia said she is naturally “drawn to the fashion of the Roaring 20s, because it was the unveiling of the modern woman, free-spirited gals that expressed their femininity without being bound by the corseted fashions and oppressive beliefs of days gone by - the pinnacle stage of the metamorphosis of women.

“The styles of that time period had such flair in their embellishments and the cloche shape of hats sweetly framed the face of a woman” and, Sonia admits, “the detail work displayed on the hats just takes my breath away... the art of true beauty in all of its wonderment!” And Sonia’s inspiration, “drawn from the core of this splendorous time. Even as a child I was drawn to it... reaffirming to me that I might’ve been a flapper girl in another life. “That vintage thought,” Sonia added with a laugh, “truly lifts my spirited wings into graceful flight!”

There is no doubt hats help make the ultimate flapper statement, and the perfect accessory is kissable bee-stung - also known as Cupid’s bow - lips.

Glory Fielding is a master makeup artist who applies her talents at Tisa’s Salon on East Main Street as well as other locations. Her Cupid’s Bow Make Up Artistry specializes in vintage looks, although Glory’s looks can range from Gothic to Sweet Sixteen.

Glory, a professional makeup artist for six years, said she was initially attracted to the “makeup medium because I was fascinated by the transformative quality of it. “A great face of makeup can not only change a person’s look, but their disposition and personality as well!”