Designers Revisit Depression Era Chic
By Sarah-Louise Boyd and Joanne Bennett
As summer reaches its peak and the mercury hits new highs, those with an eye for fashion are already looking toward the cooler weather to come, questioning whether plaids or ruffles should influence their autumn style. Where do they look? Why, to bible of fashion, of course: Vogue.
Hailed an essential by fashionistas everywhere, Vogue is the guidebook for trends past, present and future. Designers know this, too, and often study the pages of previous eras to inspire their new creations. Remember the introduction of skinny jeans? That was “so 1980s”. The blast of block colors and A-line dresses in stores this past spring? It was “so 1960s”. Fashion is cyclical, darling, and for the upcoming fall/winter lines, the 1930s are what’s en vogue. Continue Reading »
Popularity: 98% [?]
Posted on Jul 9th, 2008 by lesliejthompson | 6 Comments »
Love the look of classic pin-ups from the 1930s, ’40s and ’50s? Ever wondered what makeup tricks they use to get that perfectly flawless finish, those sultry bedroom eyes and those ruby red lips? Learn to do it yourself in this quick video tutorial from ItsJudyTime, and you can look like a retro pin-up model, too!
[youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JxwvGeZsWNA]
Popularity: 82% [?]
Posted on Jul 5th, 2008 by the editor | 1 Comment »
The Timeless Appeal of Retro Red Lipstick
By Jodi McNarland
Some staples to a woman’s wardrobe simply cannot be ignored. A little black dress may catch a fella’s eye, and strappy heels may turn a gentleman’s head, but nothing puts the shine on the apple like luscious red lips.
Briefest history? Babylonians used ground jewel powder (expensive, no staying power), Cleopatra used ground beetles (yuck and yes, I know we’re still doing it, but we hide it well and let’s leave it at that, shall we?), less affluent Egyptians used henna and ground leaves (poisonous mercury-based plants no less). Continue Reading »
Popularity: 48% [?]
Posted on Jun 10th, 2008 by the editor | 1 Comment »
Moss Lamps Add That Special Twist
By Donald-Brian Johnson, Contributing Writer
Photos by Leslie Pina
Here’s the situation: It’s your turn to play host. You want the gang to be impressed, and you’ve done your best with the decor. It’s OK. But you want more than OK. You want a focal point. You want that one, wonderful object that will leave them gasping. You want a Moss lamp.
This Moss floor lamp with a revolving
Once seen, a Moss lamp is never forgotten. These plexiglas marvels of the 1940s and ’50s not only invite attention, they demand it. Produced by San Francisco’s Moss Manufacturing Company, the lamps were born of necessity. Originally, Moss made traditional metal lamps, but with the dawn of World War II and metal rationing, a new raw material was needed. Company owner Gerry Moss turned to staff designer Duke Smith. Smith’s answer: plexiglas. Developed in 1934, plexi had a number of points in its favor: it was inexpensive, it was novel, it was easy to work with, and, most importantly, it wasn’t rationed.
Continue Reading »
Popularity: 35% [?]
Posted on Jun 9th, 2008 by the editor | No Comments »
I’m certainly not the first pundit to note the striking similarity between modern day cinema vixen Angelina Jolie and the beautiful Sophia Loren, classic star of the silver screen. But, the uncanny resemblance between the two celluloid goddesses is even more apparent on the cover of the new issue of Vanity Fair, hitting newsstands this week. Jolie’s naturally chiseled cheekbones and pillow-plush lips are glamorously enhanced by classic matte makeup remniscent of the 1950s pin-up style. The good news is, you can recreate this look at home, and enhance your own natural beauty with fabulous retro flair. All it takes is the right tools and a little patience. Here, our YouTube tutor kuuipo1207 shares her trade secrets to recreate a fabulous Fifties pin-up style that will have you looking like a classic Hollywood star!
[youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ULBx4Kcb2o]
Popularity: 43% [?]
Posted on Jun 4th, 2008 by the editor | No Comments »
Higgins is “A Glass Act”
By Donald-Brian Johnson, Contributing Writer
Photos by Leslie Piña
Vintage glass adds retro panache to any decor
Sometimes, all it takes to rev up a retro decor is the right accessory. And, when it comes to just the right decorative touch, the choice is as clear as glass–Higgins glass!
These fused glass pieces from the fabulous ’50s combine an arresting mix of geometric and curved lines with a bold use of colors. Whatever your decorating scheme calls for–from eye-popping oranges to cool blues–the vast and vivid Higgins inventory is guaranteed to have what you’re looking for. Continue Reading »
Popularity: 32% [?]
Posted on May 10th, 2008 by the editor | No Comments »
Hailed an essential by fashionistas everywhere, Vogue is the guidebook for trends past, present and future. Designers know this, too, and often study the pages of previous eras to inspire their new creations. Remember the introduction of skinny jeans? That was “so 1980s”. The blast of block colors and A-line dresses in stores this past spring? It was “so 1960s”. Fashion is cyclical, darling, and for the upcoming fall/winter lines, the 1930s are what’s en vogue. Continue Reading »
