Tuesday, August 5, 2014

Maybelline's best kept secret was Rags Ragland Sr.


Let me introduce myself.  I am Alan 'Rags' Ragland the youngest and closest son to the 'Rags', who you undoubtedly will be coming to know in THE MAYBELLINE STORY.  Rags was the marketing guru who saw the expansion potential of this lonely little company at the corner of Ridge and Clark in Chicago.

I am so delighted that Sharrie Williams and Bettie Youngs have brought this silent story to you.  This has been a dream of Sharrie’s and I started talking to her about the inner workings of  Maybelline an estimated fifteen years ago. I am probably the last inside person left, that is able to reflect this fascinating and unbelievable success story.  Dad/Rags, was the only top executive outside of the Williams family.  Most of the reflections are from him and my exposure to these remarkable people.  Hence, hopefully, this will be another perspective of the scenario that is helpful in filling in the total picture

Thursday, June 26, 2014

Old Hollywood's Heyday was born in Whitley Heights during the Silent Film Era


                 Off of Camrose south of the Hollywood Bowl.


Before there was Beverly Hills, during the silent film days, Whitley Heights was where the famous stars of Hollywood lived. Francis X. Bushman had a large, opulent house, with the first swimming pool built in the area and Rudolph Valentino lived off Wedgwood Place. 

  
  
  
Villa Valentino, 6776 Wedgewood Place, Whitley Heights, built in 1922, this was the site of the home Valentino shared with Natacha Rambova in upscale Whitley Heights just north of Hollywood. In 1951 the state of California paid Tom Lyle Williams, $90,000, intending to demolish it to make way for the Hollywood Freeway. The foundation of the home survives and can still be seen from the freeway.The foundation to the home is still visible from the freeway.

 During the Jazz Age, life was a party, and Whitley Heights was Party Central for the Hollywood set.


By: DH 
Traveling along Franklin Avenue, the east/west thoroughfare north of Hollywood Blvd., you might not notice the most historic enclave of 1920s residences from the Golden Era of silent films and speakeasies, aka The Roaring Twenties, rising above Franklin Avenue. And roar they did in those days of high living, laughter and a new industry that seemed to have no bounds. Ethel Barrymore, Charlie Chaplin, Marion Davies, W.C. Fields, Harold Lloyd, Carole Lombard, Rudolph Valentino and many others lived and held legendary parties that marked an era and the early Hollywood film industry


Today the Hollywood Freeway runs through what was once the toast of the Hollywood, in it's Heyday. 


 Before the Hollywood Freeway took Whitley Heights, it was an oasis,of gorgeous landscaping and Italian architecture.

 The arrow points to Tom Lyle Williams, Villa Valentino, in 1935.


 Tom Lyle remodeled the Villa Valentino in 1937.

Tom Lyle Williams on the left, followed by his sister Mabel, her husband Chet Hewes, and his sister Eva and her husband Ches Haines.  Notice the statue, Aspiration in the background.

Read more about Tom Lyle Williams and his love affair with the Villa Valentino, in The Maybelline Story, buy a signed copy today atwww.maybelliestory.com.  

Tuesday, June 10, 2014

A tribute to my Bikram Yoga teacher, Jason Winn.


A tribute to my yoga teacher Jason Winn, whose encouragement helped make it possible for me to complete my book, The Maybelline Story.

With his support, a momentum built that took me places in my consciousness I might never have achieved on my own.  I want to thank Jason with all my heart for the many gifts I received as his dedicated student for many years.  

Jason Winn's studio in Laguna Beach, which he opened with his sister Melissa, was known as an oasis for yogis who traveled from all over the world to take class from him.

A teacher who lead by example, Jason was wise and strong enough to give correction to posture exactly when needed – objectively, encouragingly and always from his heart. During recent years, Jason dedicated time to the US Yoga Federation on its journey to the Olympics. He was the shining star in the Bikram Yoga community

Melissa Winn Carrier: "- click here to see a picture of Jason when we all went to see Star Wars for his Birthday in 2002.  Can you pick me out in the group?
         

               Click below for a tribute to Jason Winn. 


There was a memorial service for Jason on Sunday, June 27, 1010 in Santa Barbara. For more information, visit his Facebook fanpage, Jason Winn or his website: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-50qpheRnYg


Sharrie on Maui doing Bikram Yoga - 2003

Be sure to visit my Maybelline Book Blog at http://www.maybellinebook.com/

Also cruise on over to my Saffrons Rule Blog at www.saffronsrule.com

Monday, April 28, 2014

Maybelline Pin Up Girl, Betty Grable during the 1940's.




Betty Grable, Maybelline Pinup Girl during the 1940's.  Read more about her in The Maybelline Story and the Spirited Family Dynasty Behind it.  Visit my Maybelline Story blog at maybellinebook.com