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retro
Hairstyles: Ancient to Present
Just released today, a new book claiming to be the most comprehensive survey of hairstyles ever published. I trust this will be an amazing sourcebook, with tonnes of inspirational images, since it’s coming from Charlotte Fiell, the editor behind those fantastic Taschen design icon books – you know the ones? She also has two fashion sourcebooks being released soon: one on the 1920s being released in a few days, and one on the 1930s due out in March 2012. I’ll post about those shortly.
Here’s the blurb for Hairstyles Ancient to Present:
No part of the human body is as culturally determined, and as diverse in its possible expressions, as hair. The afro, beehive, bob, bouffant, bowl cut, dreadlocks, mullet, mohawk, perm, pompadour – from year to year, and from era to era, old and new hairstyles come and go, telling a new tale about their wearers each time around. Hairstyles: Ancient to Present is not only the most comprehensive survery of hairstyles ever published, it is also a visual celebration of this endlessly inventive cultural phenomenon that looks at the entire cultural sprectrum of hairstyle, from ancient Greek tresses and eighteenth century powdered wigs to Art Deco bobs and Punk spikes, to the latest directions in the world of hairdressing today. Throughly researched, with 800 illustrations, this book showcases an amazing array of wonderfully imaginative styles, while also demonstrating the remarkable skill of their creators. It includes over 1,000 hairstyles, from resplendent Victorian chignons to 1950′s ponytails to the creations of today’s top stylists. With page after page of visual inspiration, Hairstyles contextualises through its accompanying texts the historical and and cultural relevance of hairdressing in society, as well as analyzing its role as a signifier of social status.
Tagged: ancient, Charlotte Fiell, Hair, hairstyles, present, retro, vintage
Modcloth: So many shoes, so little time…
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….
Tagged: 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, dance, fifties, forties, heels, pumps, retro, Shoes, style, swing, thirties, vintage
Seychelles Shoes at Endless.com
I wore a pair of Seychelles “In With The New” pumps last weekend at Goodnight Sweetheart in the UK, that I bought at ModCloth.com and I adore them! I’ve only danced a little in them (I was just strutting around in them while I was judging the contest), but Lady of Balboa, Kate Hedin told me she has the same pair, and does dance in them. I’ve since found out you can get them cheaper on Endless.com (which you might have heard me rant about before – I love Endless because it’s free shipping in the US, and free return shipping if they don’t fit). I own a few pairs of Seychelles heels now (I bought the gold and black “Lauren” pumps a few months ago). They do glamorous pumps and Mary Janes with a vintage edge, but modern appeal. Here’s a selection on Endless.com:
Categories: Shoes
Tagged: art deco, Endless.com, heels, Mary Janes, pumps, retro, Seychelles, Shoes, vintage
Top Picks: Plasticland Shoes
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…
Tagged: balboa, dance, lindy hop, Plasticland, retro, Shoes, swing, vintage
Fan Bing Bing: Chinesse Actress & Singer
Isn’t she beautiful?
Tagged: Asia, China, Chinoise, Fan Bing Bing, retro, vintage
Spotlight on: Revival Retro Clothing (UK)
Last time I was in London, I picked up a couple of Stop Staring dresses, a skirt and some dance shoes from Revival. Here’s a selection:
Check them out: www.revival-retro.com
Categories: ClothingTagged: Aris Allen shoes, reproduction, retro, Revival, Stop Staring, uk, vintage
The Mad Men Book!
Mad Men: The Illustrated World is the first official Mad Men book, and it’s filled with gorgeous retro illustrations by Dyna Moe. You can get it for only $10.20 at Amazon.com! I desperately want this on my bookshelf, but first I need to get a bookshelf…
Tagged: 1960s, book, Dyna Moe, illustration, Joan, Mad Men, retro, sixties
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*
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!
(Above: photo by Ruth Roxanne and Patricia Board)
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.
(Above: photo by Ruth Roxanne and Patricia Board)
4. Top Shop!
Really, need I say more?
Tagged: fashion, london, retro, vintage
Taking Fashion Inspiration from Dolls
I wasted a whole lot of time on this doll blog, so that you don’t have to! Check out these retro doll fashions, can you believe it? The downside is, you can’t buy any of these outfits… you know, unless you’re 6″ tall. I’d wear all of these outfits! If anyone out there is a wizz with a sewing machine and wants to recreate one of these for me, just let me know!!
Tagged: 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, barbie, doll, fashion, fifties, forties, retro, sixties, thirties, twenties, vintage
Vintage 50′s Eye Glasses Roundup
My favourite Etsy eyeglasses shop is full up with gorgeous 1950′s spectacles at the moment, here’s a roundup of what’s available right now:
Tagged: 1950s, Etsy, eyeglasses, fifties, glasses, retro, spectacles
New Zealand’s Fashion Quarterly Spring 2009
Behind the scenes photos care of Lotus Notes
Categories: In Magazines, On CatwalksTagged: 1930s, 1940s, 2009, dress, fashion quarterly, feminine, floral, forties, new zealand, retro, spring, thirties
Fifties/Sixties Mashup in Vogue March 2008
Photographer Mario Testino for US Vogue in March 2008. Styled by our beloved Grace Coddington. Model is Karen Elson.
Tagged: 1950s, 1960s, beehive, fifties, Grace Coddington, Hair, Karen Elson, Mario Testino, retro, sixties, vogue
Bakelite Bangles
I found these photos of gorgeous stacks of Bakelite bangles on Flickr, and just had to post them up. I love big chunky bracelets like these, but I can’t possibly justify them in my suitcase and it’s not a great idea to wear bangles when swing dancing, so I don’t own any at all. *sigh* Another “when-I-stop-travelling-and-settle-down-somewhere” daydream. Here’s Dita rocking some Bakelite:
Tagged: bakelite, bangle, bracelet, chunky, plastic, retro, tiki, vintage
Anthropologie Cardigans
More Anthropologie torture. This time cute cardigans (or cardies as we say in Australia). Not much use to me down here in sunny Argentina right now, but I will be back in the Northern Hemisphere in January, hmmm….
Anyway, these would all look cute paired with jeans and pearls, or a pencil skirt and ballet flats, or even pedal pushers if you’ve got the guts.
Categories: ClothingTagged: 1950s, anthropologie, cardigans, fifties, jumper, retro, sweater, winter
Camden Cuties
Snapped on the street by photographer Nicole Trundle in Camden Markets, London.
Categories: On The StreetTagged: Camden, look, retro, street, vintage
The Chap Shop & Manifesto
The Chap is a retro gentlemen’s magazine, and if the name doesn’t given you an idea of their style, then their manifesto will:
1. THOU SHALT ALWAYS WEAR TWEED. No other fabric says so defiantly: I am a man of panache, savoir-faire and devil-may-care, and I will not be served Continental lager beer under any circumstances.
2 THOU SHALT NEVER NOT SMOKE. Health and Safety “executives” and jobsworth medical practitioners keep trying to convince us that smoking is bad for the lungs/heart/skin/eyebrows, but we all know that smoking a bent apple billiard full of rich Cavendish tobacco raises one’s general sense of well-being to levels unimaginable by the aforementioned spoilsports.
3 THOU SHALT ALWAYS BE COURTEOUS TO THE LADIES. A gentleman is never truly seated on an omnibus or railway carriage: he is merely keeping the seat warm for when a lady might need it. Those who take offence at being offered a seat are not really Ladies.
4 THOU SHALT NEVER, EVER, WEAR PANTALOONS DE NIMES. When you have progressed beyond fondling girls in the back seats of cinemas, you can stop wearing jeans. Wear fabrics appropriate to your age, and, who knows, you might even get a quick fumble in your box at the opera.
5 THOU SHALT ALWAYS DOFF ONE’S HAT. Alright, so you own a couple of trilbies. Good for you – but it’s hardly going to change the world. Once you start actually lifting them off your head when greeting, departing or simply saluting passers-by, then the revolution will really begin.
6 THOU SHALT NEVER FASTEN THE LOWEST BUTTON ON THY WESKIT. Look, we don’t make the rules, we simply try to keep them going. This one dates back to Edward VII, sufficient reason in itself to observe it.
7 THOU SHALT ALWAYS SPEAK PROPERLY. It’s quite simple really. Instead of saying “Yo, wassup?”, say “How do you do?”
8 THOU SHALT NEVER WEAR PLIMSOLLS WHEN NOT DOING SPORT. Nor even when doing sport. Which you shouldn’t be doing anyway. Except cricket.
9 THOU SHALT ALWAYS WORSHIP AT THE TROUSER PRESS. At the end of each day, your trousers should be placed in one of Mr. Corby’s magical contraptions, and by the next morning your creases will be so sharp that they will start a riot on the high street.
10 THOU SHALT ALWAYS CULTIVATE INTERESTING FACIAL HAIR. By interesting we mean moustaches, not beards.
Hahaha, wonderful! The shop on the website is also full of wonderful ‘old boys’ things:
Tagged: dandy, manifesto, moustache, retro, the chap, tweed, vintage