Style isn’t as cut and dry as most people would love to make it. Style is a studied and labored tradition that has been carried on, and handed down for generations. We do not want to dictate your wardrobe, as much as we’d love to inspire the mind, and open up possibility. Style {Wise} provides resources to inspire creativity through exploring the mysteries and wonders of the past.
We recently acquired some really sick classic 90s mens shirts that are perfect for a classic cool vibe this Spring / Summer! And weirdly enough, they all fell into this awesome blue palette which is super timeless and versatile.
We always gravitate towards that preppy ivy style but with a bit of a twist, and these shirts do that trick to give you that dapper playboy who still loves a little rock n roll!
Grab more details on these shirts, and more of our latest time traveled pieces! Also if you are in the Hamilton, ON area, we will be bringing some new pieces to our booth at the Hamilton Antique Mall {3RD FLOOR- 33E} this coming week, so definitely check it out.
Remember XIXIXI gets you 25% at the CHECKOUT, and we offer FREE SHIPPING in Canada and the U.S. – so don’t miss out!
Living in todays social media obsessed and tabloid fuelled society, often we forget being a star used to mean more than having a rugged beard and blue eyes (Bradley Cooper) or Magic Mike abs (Channing Tatum).
Unfortunately, we live in a modern climate where divisive tactics keep underdogs down as most studios hail the white movie star. We finally see a rise in black driven stories and characters but is it enough to truly change how the major studios cast roles?
Movies with diverse casts (Crazy Rich Asians, Black Panther, Get Out, and Us etc.) are selling tickets to movies globally, but there is still a lack of true diversity within how the screening system works. We will be taking time exploring some stars of yesteryear that made a splash being different in a time when being different wasn’t as widely accepted.
A prime example of this is the late, great, Omar Sharif!!!
I want to live every moment totally intensely.
-Omar Sharif
Here’s the back story on Omar Sharif, who went from a supporting character and evolved into being a icon in his own right. Born Michel Dimitri Chalhoub in 1932, this Egyptian actor of Lebanese origin began his career in his native country in the 1950s appearing in both English and American productions over the course of his career, landing large parts in such pictures as Lawrence of Arabia (1962), Doctor Zhivago (1965) and Funny Girl (1968).
His break through to the mainstream was 1962. David Lean casting a lesser known and foreign actor in such a big budget film as Lawrence of Arabia was considered a risky move as the supporting role was ‘one of the most demanding supporting roles in Hollywood’.
This came off as a ‘authentic move’ for the studio, seeing how his ambiguous ethnicity allowed him to lean into playing many backgrounds it couldn’t be better casting. Sharif spoke English, French, Italian, Greek, Spanish and even Arabic. Admitting this himself, Sharif noted he could ‘play the role of a foreigner without anyone knowing exactly where I came from’.
Landing such a high profile supporting role came with it’s own hangups. Omar had to sign a seven-film contract with Columbia.
Not only did this worked out in Sharifs favour as he was received Best Supporting Actor Oscar nomination, and a Best Supporting Actor Golden Globe nomination; he also shared a Golden Globe Award for New Star of the Year proving he was a box office hit and critical sensation, as well as being a part of one of cinema’s most iconic entrances of a character.
While filming the wildly culturally inappropriate Genghis Khan, Sharif heard about a upcoming project of Doctor Zhivago, an adaptation of Boris Pasternak’s 1957 novel, which was a landmark in his career.
Omar was a fan of the novel and pitched himself for one of the supporting roles, but in a strange twist of fate was casted as the lead, Yuri Zhivago, a poet and physician.
Like his adopted surname, meaning ‘noble’, it had been remarked that Sharif’s eyes reflected reality, which then became the ‘mirror of reality we ourselves see’.
Undeniably handsome with his dark features he had qualities of the ideal leading man, but also a certain exotic quality which made him sought after for a string of roles throughout his rise to stardom and icon status.
Our readers may know we have a love for a rebel; his looks alone made him suited to pull off an array of high end ornate costumes but in the end always sustained a dark bad-boy image. It is even alleged that he smoked 100 cigarettes a day!
I don’t know what sex appeal is.
-Omar Sharif
Another stand out role for Sharif was his portrayal of Nicky Arnstein in Funny Girl, along side Barbara Streisand in her first film role. But in true bad boy style, this decision to take part in this production angered the Egyptian Government as Streisand was Jewish . The country condemned the film.
It also was ‘immediately banned’ in numerous Arab nations. Streisand herself joked “You think Cairo was upset? You should’ve seen the letter I got from my Aunt Rose”. Maybe the heightened social tensions added to the chemistry between the two actors as they became romantically involved during filming.
Sharif admitted later that he did not find Streisand attractive at first, but her appeal soon overwhelmed him: “About a week from the moment I met her”, he recalled, “I was madly in love with her. I thought she was the most gorgeous girl I’d ever seen in my life…I found her physically beautiful, and I started lusting after this woman.”.
As the years went on Sharif staked his claim in an otherwise white washed leading man landscape of the industry. As time would go on, his career veered into television in the 1970s, and even had his own clothing line!!!
This icon is definitely worth the mentioning on The Eye of Faith, as he was a pioneer in the industry at a time when segregation and racial discrimination was very real, and just having dark features alone could alienate you amongst your peers and society.
Plus, like we said, we always have a soft spot for the rebel who marches to the beat of his own drum!
Using the power of diversity for good, and breaking the mould in an otherwise unbreakable industry, we thank you Omar Sharif.
Are you feeling intrigued?! We just added some cool new pieces to the {SHOP} and our booth at the Hamilton Antique Mall {233 Ottawa ST. N – THIRD FLOOR- Booth 33E in Hamilton, ON} so definitely check that out if you are local!
amAlso, for our Etsy shop…remember code XIXIXI always gets you 25% OFF at the checkout, and we offer FREE SHIPPING in Canada and the U.S.
So don’t miss out on your chance to own these unique finds, and let that special style spirit soar.
Scientists often go unrecognized in the realm of style, and there’s definitely no one more deserving to be added to our roster of Idols & Divinities to worship than the original rocket man- Jack Parsons.
Like we always say, style is more than the clothes you wear, its how you carry on your life with purpose and integrity, and Mr. Parsons definitely didn’t hold back! Devilishly handsome, in tuned with his own special brand of spirituality, and ridiculously intelligent – he is definitely an idol worth worshiping.
His story is a strange one that verges on being absolutely unbelievable. Often referred to as the ultimate mad scientist, Parson’s research in the field of rocketry basically gave birth to NASA, and allowed for mankind to release itself from the atmosphere and deep into space.
A true Hollywood boy, Parsons was born on Oct 2, 1914 in Los Angeles and quickly became fascinated by rockets inspired by the many pulp sci-fi magazines he would read as a young boy. It is also said that as a child he would perform rituals to manifest the devil in his bedroom…
This obsession grew and grew over time, and after graduating High School, the young man alongside his best friend Ed Forman linked up with Frank Malina, a graduate student at the California Institute of Technology- forming what they would call “The Suicide Squad”…
Whilst the idea of rockets were perceived as nothing more than sci-fi fantasy, him and his peers moved forward with their experiments and research, proving that Parsons was a natural genius when it came to developing chemicals and mixing them in exactly the right amounts that these reactions could be explosive, but controllable. This knowledge was later used by NASA….
Of course, with this knowledge, came questions and queries of who exactly was Jack Parsons, and what the man had uncovered was shocking beyond belief.
While Parsons was pioneering rocket science, he was also an avid follower of occult circles in Hollywood. He was an attendant of the Ordo Templi Orients, and took part in meetings led by the father of modern day occultism – Aleister Crowley. He was even appointed West Coast leader of the OTO by Crowley himself.
Through the money he was making in his rocket business, he bought a mansion in Pasadena which became a party house to facilitate occult rituals and orgies.
Frank Malina’s wife said that the mansion was “like walking into a Fellini movie. Women were walking around in diaphanous togas and weird make-up, some dressed up like animals, like a costume party.” Malina shrugged off his partner’s eccentricities, telling his wife, “Jack is into all kinds of things.”
These stories led to Parsons being a bit of liability to the government, and he was paid out his shares of Aerojet, and was cast out from the field he had himself developed!
This led to a further delve into the occult. In 1946, he would host a series of ritual rites which he called the ‘Babalon Working’ which he performed alongside Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard. The ritual was performed from January to March in effort to manifest a incarnation of Babalon- a divine feminine spirit described by Aleister Crowley in this 1917 novel Moonchild.
After the first series of these rituals, Parsons was introduced to Marjorie Cameron who he regarded as the manifestation they were attempting to summon. An unsuccessful attempt was made to conceive a child through sex magic (which Aleister Crowley himself regarded as foolish), but nevertheless Cameron was regarded now as the Scarlet Woman / Babylon and the two quickly married.
You can spot Marjorie in Curtis Harrington’s “The Wormwood Star” and “Night Tide” starring Dennis Hopper. She also plays a pivotal role in Kenneth Anger’s 1954 art short “The Inaugaration of the Pleasure Dome” and is renowned as an influential and groundbreaking artist of her day.
His alienation from the world of rocket science, led him to work on explosives for the film industry, while the FBI still paid close attention to his movements.
On June 1952, Parsons was killed by an unplanned detonation in his home laboratory. He was 37.
Cameron and others who knew the man doubt that this genius would ever have made such a fatal mistake. A U.F.O. sighting above Washington D.C. just after his death, led her to believe this was Parsons making communication. Unfortunately her mental state began to deteriorate, and in 1952 she gathered a small clique of practitioners to create a cult called “The Children” whose aim was to create a mixed-race society of “moon children” who would be devoted to the Egyptian god Horus.
A new series on CBS All Access called Strange Angel starring Jack Reynor was just released last year, and attempts to bring this fascinating story to the world. We haven’t had a chance to delve into the series, but it looks like it captures Parson’s dapper charms, the mysterious underworld he treaded through, and the science he developed that changed the world!
I find it very interesting that this story is coming so strongly out of the woodwork, and being explored by a major mainstream network like CBS. Perhaps they are telling us something . . .
Parson’s work in science and the occult are fascinating because they are usually regarded as in opposition of each other. However, it seems like Parsons was able to tread the line between the two, and realize the two are related, if not the same.
Parsons will be known for being a true rebel, a playboy, a genius, and one of a kind of spirit that still permeates today. If there was anyone who represented Hollywood Babylon, it is most definitely him!
Check out these pieces from our {SHOP} to conjure the dapper and mysterious vibe of Jack Parson: the original rocket man!!!
Click here if you like what you see, and browse our other time traveled pieces!!!
2018 was such an exciting year for us in fashion, and our collection “The Visitors” was the perfect way to cap it off, at the annual Supercrawl festival here in Hamilton, ON.
This collection was our most encompassing yet, with 13 looks on 13 models, rocking the runway in the hot September sun! We really wanted to go for a more eclectic party vibe this time around, and I think we really captured the essence of what we were looking to achieve!
The collection was inspired by the ABBA song “The Visitors” – a wicked disco jam, about the anxiety of having guests showing up at your home for a party! Strangers surrounded by your books, paintings, and furniture…it can leave you in a quite a tizzy.
Disco glamour, divas, glitter, and rock n roll definitely played a hand, and we really wanted to play off the idea of visitors – who perhaps could be from a different dimension; so, there’s also a bit of space and sci-fi moments happening throughout.
Each piece is one of a kind, handmade, and uses vintage fabrics and materials.
Styled by The Eye of Faith
Makeup Up by Janet Granados & Claudia Alaimo
Hair by Hexe Noire & Poison IV
Best of all, we got to end the show with our girl Amanda Lear’s “Fashion Pack”, who was another inspiration for this collection!
For more information on any of these pieces, feel free to email us:
For our first post of 2019, we thought we’d do a classic vintage post about this most bizarre and unusual moment in time: The Miss American Vampire competition of 1970!
Move over Miss Universe (as amazing as that Lava walk was, Ms Catriona Gray), these ladies came to slay in their most imaginative Vampire-esque looks, coupled with their charm, poise, and stage presence, as well as their videogenic quality; contestants were all hoping to take the grand prize of a role in House of Dark Shadows!
There aren’t many photos of the competition, or archival imagery available but these are some photos from the New Jersey regional competition in which Ms. Christine Domaniecki was crowned by Barnabas Collins himself (played by actor Jonathan Frid; who is also definitely deserved of a {STYLE IDOL} moment)!
The competition was held in several cities including Miami, Dallas, Philadelphia, with the finalists competing for the title in Los Angeles on September 10, 1970.
According to one of the judges:
“It was fun for the first five minutes. After that it got terribly depressing. Some of the girls came in bikinis. Some of them came dressed as witches or vampires or dead bodies. One girl stood in front of me and just stared.”
In a strange turn of events, the eventual winner of the National Competition actually never followed through with any of the rewards of her title choosing instead to stay in Los Angeles (House of Dark Shadows was shot in New York).
The full reasons are unclear, however, you may recognize the original Miss American Vampire, actress and activist Sacheen Littlefeather {AKA Marie Louise Cruz), from her perhaps her most famous role: accepting Marlon Brando’s Academy Award for “The Godfather” in 1973!
Brando was boycotting the Academy Awards in reaction to Hollywood’s portrayal of Indigenous Americans in the movies, as well as the recent incidents at Wounded Knee, and so Ms. Littlefeather took the stage to speak on behalf of the legendary actor.
Whilst her message was powerful, it was not so well received, garnering boos and jeers from the audience. Also, two days after the ceremony, while visiting Mr. Brando at his house bullets were fired into his front door. Scrupulous media slander also followed, and she claims that this also led to her being blacklisted in Hollywood.
So, in the end, the title of Miss American Vampire and the prize of appearing on House of Dark Shadows eventually went to New Jersey Regional Winner, Christine Domaniecki, who appeared on the show in the highly coveted role of . . . Bar Maid.
I guess, any opportunity is an opportunity!
Funny enough, even with all the dramas and confusion, the Dark Shadows crew was ready to do it again with new pageant: Miss Ghost America in promotion of their new show Night of Dark Shadows!
Granted, the prize was not as exciting as a cameo appearance (Dark Shadows was technically off the air), however, the winner did receive an appearance on The Dating Game , as well as a $250 savings bond. The winner was 18 year old Kate Sarchet.
I’d kill to find some video footage of either pageant, so if you know a source, please let us know!!!
So what do you think? Should we be bringing back these ghouly pageants??? Tell us in the comments sections below!
November 22, 2018 marked the record for the coldest Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade of all time, and all around the U.S.A. record lows were recorded, but it didn’t stop Lady Diana Ross from looking glamorous and fabulous as ever!
When I think of cold Thanksgivings, I can’t help but think of one of our favourite films – “The Ice Storm” (1997) directed by Academy Award winning director Ang Lee. With an all-star cast that includes Kevin Kline, Joan Allen, Sigourney Weaver, Allison Janney, Christina Ricci, Katie Holmes, Tobey Maguire, and Elijah Wood; this is a must-see film for an cinema aficionado, but most especially any lover of vintage style!
Taking place on a Thanksgiving weekend in 1973 in the upper middle class suburbs of New Canaan, Connecticut – this film is a poignant look at the American Family, and its demise to substance abuse and casual sex. There are so many iconic moments throughout this film- some include Christina Ricci boldly shoplifting from the local drugstore, Joan Allen being hit on by a bohemian pastor, a strange make out session involved a Nixon mask, a 1970s key party, and of course….the grand finale (which I shall not reveal).
Production designer Mark Friedberg (The Life Aquatic, Far From Heaven, Across the Universe) and costume designer Carol Odit worked closely with director Ang Lee to bring meticulous period detail to the film. Sourcing inspiration from catalogues, magazines, and photographs from the period.
Most notably is the beautiful earthy 70s palette, and the remarkable use of textures and graphics to create looks. The film itself is a feast for the eyes for knitwear, classic american sportswear, and an ice storm just wouldn’t be an ice storm without – incredible 70s outerwear!
We have been wanting to do a post on this film for a while, so very excited to get this up, finally. Here’s some {style-wise} screenshots for some classic vintage inspiration as well as your viewing pleasure.
?? Copyright 1997 – Twentieth Century Fox – All rights reserved. Titles: The Ice Storm Names: Kevin Kline, Joan Allen Characters: Elena Hood, Ben Hood Still of Kevin Kline and Joan Allen in The Ice Storm (1997)
Lets pray to the Gods that we aren’t hit with anything so strange and devastating, but with how the weather has been over the past few years – who knows what we could be in store for!
We couldn’t help but use this meme from another one of the film’s iconic moments!
Please enjoy, and don’t forget to visit our {SHOP} and use XIXIXI for 25% OFF.
We had the honour of shooting with Style Group for The City of Hamilton in a feature focusing on Hamilton’s burgeoning fashion scene.
Hamilton has always been known as a city of grit and steel, which is often why it ends up the backdrop for so many Hollywood flicks ( ie. Guillermo Del Toro’s Oscar winning picture The Shape of Water is literally littered in Hamilton, and there are so many more!), so its not exactly the first city you think of in Canada when it comes to fashion.
But, according to Statistics Canada, Hamilton is in fact in the top 5 hubs of fashion in Canada – so that’s pretty “eye” opening! We are lucky enough to be one of the city’s featured designers in a short video featuring some of Hamilton’s top designers including yours truly, The Eye of Faith!
Here’s a clip they made of especially for our designs! We were really inspired by a 90s Romeo & Juliet essence with this one and wanted to showcase two head turning looks that were from different worlds, but intrinsically connected. Our models Geoffrey William and Danielle Brandino capture the mood gloriously!
On top of this wicked video, photographer Derrick Van Der Kolk took so many awesome shots that capture the vibrancy of downtown Hamilton, and the unique energy we hope to exude with our designs!
I would die for you
I would die for you
I’ve been dying just to feel you by my side
To know that you’re mine
– Garbage, “#1 Crush”
Here’s a taste . . .
“My bounty is as boundless as the sea,
My love as deep; the more I give to thee,
The more I have, for both are infinite.”
-William Shakespeare, “Romeo & Juliet”
Thanks for watching!
Until next time,
{theEye}
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NOTE: We will be getting up some of our original, one of a kind, handmade pieces from vintage textiles online for sale soon, so stay tuned!
Remember, to check out our selection of time traveled vintage styles in our {SHOP}. Use XIXIXI to get 25% OFF.
Can you believe that 7 years ago on this day, the fateful evening of 11/11/11, The Eye of Faith was born!!! I think it’s hard for us to believe it, and there’s definitely no way we ever could have dreamed of where it would have led us today, so feel eternally blessed!
Through thick and thin, we have always persevered and made sure to keep our passions alive. When they say, never give up – it really is true. And that has always been the founding voice of The Eye of Faith; which is an age old symbol of destiny, believing in your dreams, knowing that there is that symbolic eye in the sky watching out for your best interest, just so long you are in tuned with your own special energy.
We began as a fashion blog fusing our interests in vintage style, nostalgia, rebels, pop culture, the occult, esoterica, cinema, art, culture …our blog had once been described as falling down the rabbit hole, which pleased us beyond belief!!! From our very first blog post we never could have imagined that we would be featured on Refinery29 (alongside news of Lady Gaga & Beyonce!), and feature interviews with Patti Quatro and NIRVANA’s original drummer, Chad Channing!
From there, we began curating a modest collection of vintage clothes that we sold online, which led to our first ever real life Pop Up at the Junction Flea!!! Its insane to think that was our very first, and we felt so much excitement to get our vibe out there, and the excitement hasn’t ceased and we have since done so many pop-ups its hard to keep count!
{googling THE EYE OF FAITH VINTAGE!!!}
Then came our foray into fashion design which was encouraged by our friends at Blackbird Studios who had seen our vintage collection and style and pointed out that we should get our hands dirty and create our own pieces!
We took that encouragement and premiered our first handmade collection at Supercrawl 2015 with +HOLLYWOOD BABYLON+ , and have since shown collections +TAROT+, +NEW KINGDOM+, WUTHERING HEIGHTS, and our most recent THE VISITORS (which we will posting photos of soon!). This has been an awesome endeavour that allows for a new avenue of creativity that blends our passions for vintage styles, storytelling, theatre, art, music, and design. Using vintage textiles has also allowed us to continue our invocation of the {PAST} , {PRESENT}, and {FUTURE} and their symbiotic flow.
Now, on this fortuitous day, we embark on a new endeavour with a physical location for all our local friends and fashion lovers to visit and purchase some unique, E.O.F. approved, vintage finds as well as some of our handmade one of a kind pieces!
From now on, find our collection at the HAMILTON ANTIQUE MALL{233 Ottawa St. N – Hamilton, Ontario} in booth 33E on the THIRD FLOOR. And in case you didn’t consider it, how crazy is it that we established our brand 11/11/11 which coincidently adds up to 33! Also, the highest level you can make as a mason, and since we always had a bit of a secret society inspiration, it seemed beyond fitting.
COME CHECK US OUT!!!
So in the end, we are so grateful and thankful for everyone who has supported us, and encouraged us over the years, and especially to our readers and followers who help keep our passion stewing!
We wouldn’t be doing anything if this if it weren’t for that, so THANK YOU for 7 amazing years, and to many more!
Until next time,
{theEye}
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We will still be posting and selling online, so be sure to check out the {SHOP} for some wicked vintage finds!
When we first moved back to Hamilton, we never expected our humble hometown would turn into such a vintage mecca!
Just last year, our friends at Vintage Soul Geek provided some of their impeccable vintage garments for the filming of a little movie called “The Shape of Water” which was both nominated for Best Costume Design, and went on to win Best Picture at the Academy Awards amongst many other accolades.
With such a rich history, its not surprising that Hamilton, Ontario is full of true love for the vintage lifestyle. After all, we are all shopping at the same mall or big box shops to see the same things – derivatives of vintage styles whether it be furniture, decor, accessories, or fashion! Why spend your money on cheap, expensive, knock-offs when you can get the real thing ?!
That’s why, we are so excited to be taking part in the Hamilton Vintage Community Pop-Up this Sunday October 28 at The Spice Factory from 10a – 4p! With over 40+ vintage vendors, plus free admission, we know we are looking forward to a brilliant day of vintage shopping, and meeting and making connections with fellow vintage lovers in the city.
We will have a rack of select mens and women’s clothing priced as low as $5, so definitely if you are looking for something to do on a Sunday afternoon, be sure to check it out! Here’s a link to the event:
