They are almost a hundred years old: rare vintage photos from the first beauty contests

The first "beauty contest" was the cause of one of the most legendary battles - the Trojan War. And despite the fact that this is just a myth, it was then that the jury decided (and let only Paris be the judge), according to which the goddess of love Aphrodite, the most beautiful of all, was conditionally recognized as the winner. Therefore, beauty contests are rooted in the ancient world, and only confirm the theory that a girl should be beautiful both internally and externally.

Modern beauty contests became popular in the 1880s. One of the very first competitions was held in Belgium in 1888. Then everything was very simple: 350 girls sent their photos with a short story about themselves to the judges, and 21 candidates were chosen from them. After that, the final took place, at which the judges (only male representatives) chose the most beautiful girl. Then there was no crown, but only a cash prize. However, the competition did not immediately succeed in gaining popularity, so it was not held for a long time.

The United States breathed a second life into such competitions three decades later. In 1921, the first beauty contest was held, which served as the basis for all subsequent competitions. It was in the 1920s that the crown appeared and the same format, familiar to everyone: interviews, fashion shows, a photo shoot for the media, a swimsuit competition, and, finally, a coronation ending. We found rare photos from the earliest beauty contests in which young participants, as today, are charming and beautiful.

Eighteen-year-old May Green, who won in 1926 in Chicago.

She is posing by the plane. The girl walked around four thousand applicants.

Estelle Kosloff, another winner of the Chicago competition, but already in 1927. True, she had to part with her crown, since she hid her marriage.

Christina Walstead, to whom the crown of Cosloff passed.

Sixteen-year-old schoolgirl Lois Delander, who received the title of "Miss America" ​​in 1927.

She is with her mom and dad.

The girl tries on a dress in which she will be at a ball in honor of one of the competitions.

Competitors of the Chicago competition in 1927.

Ella Van Hewson, who won the International Pageant of Pulchritude (International Beauty Contest) in 1928. This competition is the mastermind of the "Miss Universe", which appeared more than two decades later.

Ella met at the train station of his hometown after a triumph.

The winner of one of the first competitions held in 1922.

Charming Margaret Lee. She did not become "Miss America 1924", but took fourth place.

4 girls who won the regional competitions of 1924.

Cars decorated with flowers in honor of the competition.

One of the participants in the Chicago competition.

The audience welcomes the participants of the Miss Great Lakes.

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