Swing Fashionista : A swing fashion blog & look book

Kirsten Dunst for V Magazine

I’ve never been a huge fan of Kristen’s, but I did like her in Bring It On and Spiderman. However, after seeing this editorial, I might have to change my mind. What a starlet! Mario Testino did a marvelous job of shooting her and stylist Nicola Formichetti did an outstanding job of making Kristen look like a vintage movie star.

Images from Radar Online

For a review of the clothing, check out Tom & Lorenzo blog!

Categories: Celebrities, In Magazines
Tagged: 1920s, Kirsten Dunst, Mario Testino, Nicola Formichetti, photos, siren, V Magazine

10 Mar 2010 Posted by Jo Comments (0)

Olivier de Havilland

Remember this photo of Dita’s stunning hair that I posted a few days ago? Well I just stumbled across an image of Olivier de Havilland sporting a similar ‘do in the late 1940s, and had to share. If anyone knows how to create a look like this, please do let us know!

You probably know Olivier de Havilland as Melanie in Gone with the Wind. She was a fairly serious actress in the 1930s, 40s and 50s, and often played in period pieces. She also happens to be Joan Fontaine’s older sister. She is still alive today (she is 93 years old).

Categories: Celebrities, Hair, Vintage Photos
Tagged: 1930s, 1940s, Dita Von Teese, forties, gone with the wind, Hair, hairdo, olivier de havilland, style, thirties

10 Mar 2010 Posted by Sharon Comments (0)

Harper’s Bazaar - Bonnie and Clyde

“Bonnie Parker (October 1, 1910 – May 23, 1934) and Clyde Barrow (March 24, 1909 – May 23, 1934) were well known outlaws, robbers, and criminals who, with their gang, traveled the Central United States during the Great Depression. Their exploits were known nationwide. They captured the attention of the American press and its readership during what is sometimes referred to as the “public enemy era” between 1931 and 1934. Though known today for his dozen-or-so bank robberies, Barrow in fact preferred to rob small stores or rural gas stations. The gang is believed to have killed at least nine police officers and committed several civilian murders. They were eventually ambushed and killed in Louisiana by law officers.” - Wikipedia

That being said, check out Harper Bazaars latest spread:

Love me some pleated pants and a Tommy Gun!

For information on the clothes and where to buy them, check out the full editorial on Harpar’s Bazaar.

Categories: In Magazines
Tagged: 1930s, berret, Bonnie and Clyde, Great Depression, guns, harper's bazaar, men, scarf, vintage car

9 Mar 2010 Posted by Jo Comments (0)

1940s Patterns with Full Sleeves

Categories: Clothing
Tagged: 1940s, blouse, blouson, dress, dressmaking, forties, full, pattern, sleeve

8 Mar 2010 Posted by Sharon Comments (0)

The Lovely Lina Romay

Lina Romay was an actress and singer in the 1940s and 50s, with Columbia and MGM. Though she was born in New York, she was daughter to the Mexican Consul to New York City and was typically cast as a Latin American beauty. She sang with Xavier Cugat’s orchestra in the early 1940s. You may have seen her singing with the band in the Fred Astaire/Rita Hayworth flick You Were Never Lovelier (1942) or in Stage Door Canteen (1943). In the clip below, she could be singing about herself…

Categories: Celebrities, Vintage Photos, Vintage Videos
Tagged: 1940s, 1950s, actress, fifties, forties, latin, lina romay, mexican, MGM, silver screen, singer, starlet, Xavier Cugat

8 Mar 2010 Posted by Sharon Comments (0)

High Waist + Wide Leg = Brilliant

Great trousers from Mango a few seasons back…

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Categories: Clothing
Tagged: gray, grey, high waist, pants, trousers, wide leg

7 Mar 2010 Posted by Sharon Comments (0)

AMAZING hair…

Wow, Dita, wow…

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Categories: Celebrities
Tagged: Dita Von Teese, do, Hair, style

6 Mar 2010 Posted by Sharon Comments (0)

Alexander McQueen Retrospective Part 1: Fall 2001

In tribute to Alexander McQueen, I am going to post a retrospective of past collections, from a SwingFashionista perspective. The best of Alexander McQueen for retro-loving folk. May he rest in peace. To start, my top picks from the Fall 2001 ready-to-wear show. More to come…

Categories: On Catwalks
Tagged: 1930s, 1940s, Alexander McQueen, catwalk, fashion, forties, retrospective, show, style, thirties, tribute, vintage, wartime, wwii

6 Mar 2010 Posted by Sharon Comments (0)

Katherine Heigl in Vintage Style

Categories: Celebrities
Tagged: grey's anatomy, heigl, katherine, vintage

5 Mar 2010 Posted by Sharon Comments (4)

Vintage Shopping: SamayaLingVintage.com

A round up of my favourites right now at SamayaLingVintage.com:

Categories: Clothing
Tagged: 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, antique, dress, forties, samayaling, thirties, twenties, vintage

4 Mar 2010 Posted by Sharon Comments (0)

Excited about London

I’m in Belgium right now, relaxing a little after Swingin’ in the Rain, and tomorrow I fly to Ye Old London Towne for three whole weeks! Those familiar with my travel schedule will know that this is an astonishingly long time for me to be in one city. Hoorah! My to-do list involves things like going swing dancing, seeing burlesque shows, eating Indian food, maybe see a show on the West End, visit V&A, and of course, SHOPPING! Friends have been sending suggestions (if you have any more, please post a comment!) and here are four reasons why I’m excited about London:

1. The Blitz Party

This is a monthly event, and there is indeed one on while I’m in London, but sadly it’s all sold out. Oh well maybe next time - unless anyone knows how to weedle me a ticket? *wink wink nudge nudge*

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2. The Wam Bam Club

With the Wam Bam Belles! The lady in blue in the first photo is my drop-dead gorgeous friend Hayley, can’t wait to see her!

3. The Bees Knees

These two ladies have been giving 1920s Charleston a good name around London for years now, and I’ve been admiring their costumes from afar. Maybe I’ll get a chance to meet them or see them perform.

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4. Top Shop!

Really, need I say more?

Categories: Clothing
Tagged: fashion, london, retro, vintage

3 Mar 2010 Posted by Sharon Comments (2)

Rock That Swing Festival, Munich Germany February 2010

So what’s rockin’ the wardrobes of Lindy Hoppers right now? Here’s a glimpse at the styles seen at the Rock That Swing Festival in Munich, Germany a few weeks ago. Classes by day, dancing and shows by night. Rocking my socks off with their ensembles, as usual: Laura Keat & Jeremy Otth, Vincenzo Fesi & Isabella Gregorio, Nicole Rochelle, Moe Sakan, Pontus Persson, Max Pitruzella, Remy Kouame, William Mauvais, Jessica Lennartson and mi amor Juan Villafane. Photos by Marcell Bendik.

Categories: Events & Festivals
Tagged: festival, Germany, munich, rock that swing, rtsf

2 Mar 2010 Posted by Sharon Comments (0)

Peplum Skirts: 1950s Redone for the 1980s, brought to you in 2010

This cutie, Betsey Johnson.

Categories: Clothing
Tagged: Betsey Johnson, peplum, skirt

2 Mar 2010 Posted by Sharon Comments (0)

Pedal Car

My mother had one of these when she was growing up and I remember always wanting one. Yeah, I had a Power Wheels, but it just wasn’t the same!! Click picture to buy.

“She’s all pink and white and chrome and waiting for a princess to pedal off in her. Just like the originals, this American Retro Pedal car is made of heavy gauge steel and is ready for hours of play. Chip and rust resistant finish that is child safe and has da non-toxic powder coating. Fully Assembled. Ages 2 to 6 years. 36″ L x 15.5″ W”

Categories: Accessories
Tagged: 1950s, childen, gift, pedal car, tranportation, travel, vintage

1 Mar 2010 Posted by Jo Comments (3)

Rouge Coco - The latest from Chanel

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The newest line of Chanel lipsticks to hit the counters February 25th, called Rouge Coco. Vanessa Paradis, pictured above, is the new face of this lipstick inspired by Coco herself.

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Chanel Rouge Allure Laque, already in stores, in shade Dragon. It is a high impact, bold red color with high gloss shine.

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Categories: Cosmetics
Tagged: chanel, glamour, lipstick, makeup, photos, Rouge Coco, Vanessa Paradis

28 Feb 2010 Posted by Jo Comments (0)

Carine Gilson

Here are some of my favorite pieces from the latest exquisite couture lingerie collections of Carine Gilson. Check out the stunning hand-stitching and floral details! This collection has timeless appeal.
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To-die-for gorgeous! What a stunning piece.

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Carine Gilson Summer 2010 images via here

Categories: Clothing
Tagged: Carine Gilson, lace, lingerie, vintage inspired

27 Feb 2010 Posted by Jo Comments (2)

Eco Designers to Watch

I found these pictures on Ecouterre: Eco Designers to Watch and thought they were fun. Unfortunately they didn’t give clothing credits.

Categories: Clothing, On Catwalks
Tagged: 1950s

27 Feb 2010 Posted by Jo Comments (4)

Betsey Johnson Spring 2010: Top Picks

As usual, fun and funky from Betsey Johnson. The Spring 2010 ready-to-wear collection has a 1950s twist, with above-the-knee poodle skirts and plenty of crinolines in girly colors… I can see Jo (card-carrying Betsey Johnson fan) rocking all these numbers:

Categories: On Catwalks
Tagged: 2010, Betsey Johnson, catwalk, collection, fashion, Ready to Wear, RTW, show, spring

27 Feb 2010 Posted by Sharon Comments (0)

Gwen Stephani’s hair

I am a huge fan of Gwen Sephani, especially when it comes to her fashion choices. Do you remember this picture of her from the Billboard Music Awards?

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Fabulous, fabulous, fabulous! Well, you’ll be pleased to know the someone has bothered to break down how to do this hairstyle! Over at Bobby Pin Blog, Lauren takes you through step-by-step on how to achieve this look. Here’s a little preview (in case you haven’t already clicked over to the post!)

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The sections of the style are asymmetric. One side of the top section is parted above the outer eyebrow. The other side of the top section parts starting at the hairline about an inch above the ear. Clip this out of the way.

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Take all of the rest of the hair and create a French twist. The ends are not tucked in above the twist at this point. I am actually going to use the ends to help create some stamina for the pompadour. This doll has a decent amount of hair, so if you have fine hair, a rat may help you here.

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For more detailed instructions on hair basics such as curling and setting, check out Vintage Hairstyling: Retro Styles with Step-by-Step Techniques. I have the book and I love it. If you have questions about the book, click the link above and check it out or ask me a question and I’ll do my best to answer.

Categories: Celebrities, Hair, How To
Tagged: Gwen Stephani, hair style, How To, up do

26 Feb 2010 Posted by Jo Comments (0)

Elisa Palomino’s Fall 2010 collection

What a great looking show! The fabrics are gorgeous and I adore the backdrop! Not too sure about the enormous hair, but it certainly frames the clothing.

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