Swing Fashionista » fifties

Carl Erickson Fashion Illustration

Sharon — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 22:40:52 +0000

Carl Erickson (1891 – 1958) was an American fashion and advertising illustrator from the 1910s through to the 1940s. At the peak of his career, he signed his work “Eric” and was known by this name. He worked a great deal for Vogue in the 1930s and 40s. He had a reputation for being obsessively hardworking. He only ever sketched from live models. For each illustration that appeared in a magazine, he had made dozens of studies. And he was known for bringing his sketchbook with him everywhere he went – to the restaurant, to the theatre – and capturing the elegance he saw around him.

Mad Men Paper Dolls by Dyna Moe

Sharon — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 05:24:07 +0000

Dyna Moe has created paper dolls based on Janie Bryant’s costumes for Joan Holloway in Mad Men. Love love love!

Gil Elvgren Pinups: Reality to Fantasy

Sharon — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 20:29:16 +0000

How interesting to see the difference between reality and the final product in Elvgren’s pinups. I’d never seen these before…

Why Miss Jones!

Sharon — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 06:59:35 +0000

Editorial entitled “Why Miss Jones!” shot by John Akehurst for Harper’s Bazaar UK, September 2011.

The many hairstyles of Ginger Rogers

Sharon — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 16:14:06 +0000

Ginger is definitely one of my greatest idols, and her look in the 30s inspired me to go blonde myself. She had a long career, so her style (and hairstyles!) span the golden era of showbiz. Here are some of her looks that I love love love.

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….

100 Years of Fashion in 100 seconds

Sharon — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 23:47:53 +0000

Lovely! Great concept, how fantastic…

Book: “Cary Grant: A Celebration of Style”

Sharon — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 12:58:55 +0000

A divine book about a divine style icon, not just for the photos of Cary Grant in all his splendor, but a wonderful read as well. What a way to express fashion and style:

I’m talking about style, not only in the sense of how he wore his Savile Row suits, but style as a revelation of character, as a way of facing the world, a means by which all of life’s riches are embraced and celebrated.

- Prologue pXII

Kourtney and Khloe Kardashian in LOVE Magazine

Sharon — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 01:03:00 +0000

Seriously, are those really their names? I’ve missed this whole Kardashian revolution and have no idea who the “Kardashian Sisters”, oh famed tabloid darlings, really are. What do they do exactly? How many are there? Do all their names start with a K? Well anyway, these two have a vintage noir, femme fatale look going strong in this shoot for LOVE Magazine, shot by Patrick Demarchelier. Enjoy!

Book: Fashion (The Collection of the Kyoto Costume Institute)

Sharon — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 20:49:45 +0000

This is a book I bought myself for Christmas. It covers fashion history from the 18th century to the 20th century, with glossy photographs of the collection held by the Kyoto Costume Institute in Japan. The book has been out for a while, but oh my, if you don’t own it yet, go out and buy it immediately! So much inspiration for any swing fashionista, the kind of clothes that are so beautiful it makes my chest ache. The Poiret, the Schiaparelli, the Chanel, oh god the Vionnet! The Vionnet, people! Now I want desperately to visit the Kyoto Costume Institute. A holiday to Japan anyone?

Seriously folks, this book is sheer fashion heaven. It is definitely now one of the favourites in my collection. You can buy it here on Amazon. Enjoy!