Clara Bow: the original It girl, America's first sex symbol and now ...

After retiring from the screen, she embarked on a marriage with Republican politician Rex Bell. A nervous breakdown followed. Her career over at the age of 28, she withdrew from public life. ‘All I ask is to be let alone and to have the privacy everyone is entitled to,' she told Motion Picture. But in Hollywood, 'your life isn't your own for a minute. You can't love the man you want to, or get married, or have children, without the whole world prying into your affairs, asking impertinent questions. If you don't tell them every intimate detail of your life, they think you're disagreeable and high-hat.' Bow moved to a ranch in Nevada and died, a recluse, at the age of 60.

However, her impact on popular culture is still largely felt. She inspired the character Betty Boop, while the term ‘It girl’ comes from her 1927 smash hit of the same name. She was also the main inspiration behind Lina Lamont, the starlet in Singin’ in the Rain (1952).

Speaking with People in February, Bow’s great-granddaughters, Nicole Sisneros and Brittany Grace Bell (who are the granddaughters of Bow’s son Rex Bell Jr.), revealed their shock at learning Swift had dedicated a track to Bow. Sisneros said, ‘We could not believe it. We were shocked and then the intrigue set in because no one from our family has been contacted or knew about this prior. We found out via the Instagram post like everybody else.’

‘I hope she conveys a positive image of Clara Bow, which I think she will,’ Bell added. 'I would imagine that Taylor uses this as a way to highlight her accomplishments, her accolades, her talent. They're both people that have really strong raw talent.'

Now, it seems their wishes may have come true.