Swing Fashionista » dance

Modcloth: So many shoes, so little time…

Sharon — Sat, 10 Sep 2011 23:50:31 +0000

Well, I’m in Argentina right now, so Modcloth shopping is out of the question. Boooo. But you should all go buy some delicious shoes over at Modcloth.com, so that I can live vicariously through you Send me photos! Here’s a danceable selection….

Top Picks: Plasticland Shoes

Sharon — Sun, 06 Feb 2011 18:35:01 +0000

A Quebecois buddy of mine, Alisha Ruiss, just tortured me with two emails in quick succession, with links to online stores where I want to buy EVERYTHING!! Oh no, Alisha, how could you do this to me? The first was Plasticland, an old favourite of mine, but I haven’t visited for a while, and was rather unaware of the current shoe collection. Swoon! Here are my top picks, and they’re all available right now, in the range of US$54 – $72. These shoes are a steal. They stock a few Stop Staring dresses as well, and they have some cute pencil skirts…

Alexander McQueen Retrospective Part 6: Spring 2004

Sharon — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 03:34:04 +0000

In tribute to Lee Alexander McQueen, I have been posting a retrospective of past collections, from a SwingFashionista perspective. The best of Alexander McQueen for retro-loving folk. May he rest in peace. In part 6, my top picks from the Spring 2004 ready-to-wear show. This show was quite the spectacle:

The show – staged in the Salle Wagram, a nineteenth-century Parisian dance hall – was an exuberantly hilarious reenactment of Sydney Pollack’s Depression-era film They Shoot Horses, Don’t They? Choreographed by Michael Clark over two weeks of intensive rehearsals in London, the narrative involved dancers, models, and audience in a visceral celebration of exquisitely glamorous clothes.

Three steps of the ‘Five-Step’

Jo — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 23:06:03 +0000

7th June 1924.

Here Santos Casani makes an appearance in Popular Music and Dancing Weekly magazine, demonstrating the first three steps of the ‘Five-Step’ – steps four and five were published the following week.

Trevira wrote a post about Mr Casani here. You might not realize it, but you’ve probably seen him before!

Swing Kids Los Angeles

Sharon — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 23:33:09 +0000

Some pics of the über cool LA swing crew, which I Facebook-swiped from Chandrae Roettig. I spy some buddies of ours, like Minn Vo, Nick Williams and Katie Anderson. Looking awesome, you guys!

Emelie & Rebecka bring 50s to Gotland, Sweden

Sharon — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 22:18:20 +0000

I have absolutely no idea what inspired my friends Emelie & Rebecka to do this fabulous photo shoot, but it popped up on Facebook and I just can’t help but post it up here. I’m sure many of you know these fabulous swing dancing ladies from Sweden, but maybe you haven’t seen them as Marilyn Monroe and Audrey Hepburn? They might kill me, but they look so glamorous in their fifties getup, in that crazy Swedish scenery! Hopefully they’ll forgive me for posting it up here!

Katja has gone black!

Sharon — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 22:57:37 +0000

The best bob hairdo in Lindy Hop without a doubt goes to the drop-dead gorgeous Katja Hrastar from Slovenia, and I just noticed on Facebook today that she’s gone from fiery redhead to femme fatale ebony black. Ooh la la! Either way, still the best bob since the 1920s. Luckily for us, one of her best buddies happens to be the brilliant photographer Luka Dolenc, so there’s plenty of documentation of Katja’s uber fabulous hair!

Come to think of it, Katja is a pretty smashing photographer herself. Check out her website for more photos. Anyway, check out these 1920s illustrations and you’ll see just how spot-on that ‘do is:

And of course, I can’t go without mentioning Louise Brooks, the 1920s and 30s actress who made this kind of bob iconic:

Shoes on Amazon.com

Sharon — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 21:43:05 +0000

So, you will have noticed the new Best of Swing & Vintage on Amazon banner in the sidebar, and this is what I’ve been procrastinating with the last week, what fun! I’ve set up my very own Amazon store, with all – well the name says it all really – the best of swing and vintage to be found on Amazon.com. It’s so fun, like curating your own collection. Anyway, the best thing though is the shoes! I mean, we all think of Amazon for books, CDs, DVDs, but I had no idea there were so many shoes!! There’s loads of styles, but for example, here’s some of my favorite granny heels:

Yeah, on Amazon! Who would of thought….

Frankie 95 Festival, New York City May 2009

Sharon — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 20:43:55 +0000

I’ve finally got around to posting up some photos of well-dressed folks at Frankie Manning’s 95th Birthday celebrations in New York in May this year. Sorry for the delay, and remember, if you have any photos from this or any swing event, of swing girls OR guys looking fine, then email them through!

Urban Outfitters Shoes

Sharon — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 19:46:02 +0000

Check out Urban Outfitters’ new season of shoes, available on their website. Above, the “Contributor Oxford” by Rachel Comey for only $78 – thanks Jo for sharing that one! Plenty of flat lace-up Oxfords for women, saddle shoes, heels with retro mesh or cutouts, and of course, plenty of the Lindy Hopper’s essential canvas tennis shoes, in a bunch of bright colors (and two pairs for $30). Coolest thing, if you order online, shipping AND returns are free. Here’s a few more:

For more shoes, go to Jo’s post about ASOS!