On October 26, 2025, Vogue World: Hollywood will honor the deep connection between film and fashion, spotlighting cinema’s most inspiring characters. This tribute to fashion and film will be held at the Paramount Pictures Studios Lot in sunny Hollywood—one of the world’s oldest film studios and the last major one still based in the famous Los Angeles district. In preparation, we’ve been exploring the glamorous history of Paramount Studios, from its early 20th-century beginnings to the iconic characters that have appeared both on its lot and on screen.

The Paramount Studios story starts with an underdog, Adolph Zukor. Born in Hungary in 1873, he lost both parents by age seven. A decade later, he arrived in New York to pursue his dreams. Starting with a $2-a-week job sweeping floors at a fur store, he studied English and business at night and eventually invested in nickelodeon theaters. After securing U.S. rights to the French film Queen Elizabeth—one of America’s first feature-length movies—Zukor founded the Famous Players Film Company in 1912. He distributed his films through a new company called Paramount Pictures. Around the same time, the Jesse L. Lasky Feature Play Company, co-founded by Cecil B. DeMille, was also making films in Hollywood. In 1916, Zukor merged Famous Players with Lasky’s company, and together they took over Paramount Pictures, which later became the studio we know today.

In 1926, construction began on a new Hollywood studio bearing the Paramount name. Built for $1 million on a 26-acre lot, it featured four large sound stages and the striking Bronson Gate with its Spanish Renaissance belfry. A year later, Paramount won its first Academy Award for Best Picture for Wings.

The following decades were a golden age for Paramount. Studios contracted and traded actors, and legends like Bing Crosby and Mae West rose to fame, with films like Sunset Boulevard captivating audiences. Fashion played a key role too. Clare West was Paramount’s first credited costume designer, and the studio’s wardrobe department was crucial to a film’s success. Lavish costumes, such as Gloria Swanson’s feathered headdress in Male and Female (1919) designed by Mitchell Leisen, became iconic. The Paramount Archive now holds tens of thousands of costumes and props dating back to 1914.

The 1960s and 1970s saw television’s rapid growth. In a major shift, Paramount bought Desilu television studios from Lucille Ball in 1967 and produced hits like Happy Days, The Brady Bunch, and Laverne & Shirley. Films remained strong too, with Paramount releasing classics like Psycho, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, and The Godfather trilogy.

Around this time, the studio began moving more productions off the lot. As budgets increased and technology advanced, on-location shooting became common, as seen in The Godfather’s New York and Sicily scenes. Today, Paramount Studios spans 65 acres with 30 sound stages and buildings in styles ranging from Mediterranean Revival.The studio features Streamline Moderne architecture and includes a five-acre backlot that doubles as New York City, along with a massive water tank holding over 900,000 gallons for filming aquatic scenes.

A 1930 photo shows Carole Lombard in her dressing room, captured by Keystone-France/Getty Images.

Now, well into the 21st century, Paramount honors its rich history as a key player in film. From the era of Marlene Dietrich and Mae West to the upcoming fashion-focused Vogue World event, this iconic Hollywood lot remains the ideal setting for cinematic magic.

Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of helpful FAQs about Paramount Studios in the context of A Look Back Before Vogue World Hollywood

General Beginner Questions

1 What is Paramount Studios
Paramount Studios is one of the oldest and most famous movie studios in Hollywood known for producing countless classic and modern films

2 What is Vogue World Hollywood
Vogue World Hollywood is a highprofile fashion and entertainment event often a runway show or performance that celebrates style and cinema The 2024 event was held at Paramount Studios

3 Why is Paramount Studios a significant location for Vogue World
Paramounts historic backlot with its iconic New York Street and famous soundstages provides a unique and authentic Old Hollywood backdrop that perfectly complements the glamour of a Vogue event

4 Where is Paramount Studios located
Its located at 5555 Melrose Avenue in the heart of Hollywood Los Angeles California

5 Can the public normally visit Paramount Studios
Yes but typically only through official studio tours which allow you to see the backlots and soundstages where movies and TV shows are filmed

Historical Advanced Questions

6 What are some classic movies filmed at Paramount
Iconic films include The Godfather Breakfast at Tiffanys Grease Indiana Jones Forrest Gump and Titanic

7 What is the Paramount logo mountain based on
The famous mountain logo known as Majestic Mountain is based on a simple drawing made by studio founder W W Hodkinson during a meeting Its loosely inspired by the Wasatch Mountains in Utah from his childhood

8 What is a backlot and what famous ones does Paramount have
A backlot is an outdoor set built to look like a real location Paramounts famous backlots include New York Street and the Europeanstyle Brownstone Street

9 How has Paramounts role in Hollywood evolved over time
It evolved from one of the Big Five studios of the Golden Age controlling production and distribution into a major media conglomerate that produces content for streaming cable and theatrical release