MThis is another REPOST of a popular topic here: HALLOWEEN!!!!
We sure have a reputation for keeping it spooky (since 2011!) so THANK YOU to everyone who helped get us to where we are today with this humble treasure trove of vintage musings...TRICK or TREAT?
It’s Halloween, and we thought that called for a special {PHOTOBLAST} in honor of the occasion!
We’ve devised a ghoulish buffet of vintage Halloween treats for your eyes and minds to delight in and devour!!!
Square
Halloween Mid-West Mag Cover 1955 Costumes popular with kids and adults as shown on Mid-West Magazine’s cover Oct 30, 1955
We say this a lot, but some things just never change, and if anything, our brothers and sisters of the past were forced to be a bit more creative when it came to the challenges of costuming yourself for the big night!
So, that said, what are you being for Halloween (or what were you, for those enjoying the early bird weekend special)? Let us know in the comment section below! And make sure you have a Happy Scary Halloween!
This is a short clip from Terrence Malick’s “The Thin Red Line” which never ceases to inspire and engage the mind and soul with its thoughtful narration and invigorating visuals that take the viewer through the complex voyage of a soldier to war hidden by the beauty of “paradise“. . .
It really must have been something to find yourself in a strange new world, another Earth far away from the hometown you left months before. You might never want to leave. You might hope to be left on a deserted island for the rest of your days; left alone by the complications of society.
Malick does a great job at creating this world, and you can get an even cooler glimpse into this world by digging into the world of vintage vernacular.
Ask your grandparents and they probably have vintage snapshots to share with you, or dig through the bins of them at your local Flea Market or antique store. There are treasures to find. These memories of some lost paradise always seem to be like faded remnants of some beautiful black and white dream. . .
Here’s a few to quench your thirst! Soak it up, and bring this lost paradise with you wherever you go.
Why should I be afraid to die? I belong to you. If I go first, I’ll wait for you there. On the other side of the dark waters.
Be with me now.
What’s this war in the heart of nature? Why does nature vie with itself? The land contend with the sea? Is there an avenging power in nature? Not one power but two?
*one nomination for David Lynch in the category of Best Director (should have been many more).
Presenting the award is none other than style divinity Lauren Bacall in all her sultry, sophisticated glory….MAN! THEY DON’T MAKE THEM LIKE THEY USED TO!
What began as the most innocent unassuming presentation turned into full-on 80s fashion MADNESS!!!
Basically, the jist was that the costumes of films have always and will always directly influence fashion so with the help of legendary costume designer Theoni V. Aldredge ( 1974’s ‘The Great Gatsby’ ) who used the year’s nominees (“The Mission”, “Otello”, “Peggy Sue Got Married”, “Pirates”, and that year’s winner “A Room With a View”) as inspiration for contemporary fashions a la 1987 through the eyes of one magnificently creative and visionary mind.
They just couldn’t help themselves, and be prepared to be dazzled by some super enthusiastic dancers and some really exciting fashion that probably never actually made it to the streets, but at least opens the eye to the possibilities of inspiration.
In a not very surprising instance of history repeating itself, Jenny Beaven, the winner of the Oscar that year for James Ivory’s stunning, classic film “A Room With a View” (starring young and fresh faces Helena Bonham Carter and Denholm Elliot), is nominated again this year for George Miller’s visionary epic “Mad Max: Fury Road” and is primed to taking home the Golden Boy once again!
What is so fantastic about Jenny Beaven’s contribution to “Mad Max: Fury Road”, personally, is that it is such a different kind of project than her past films which have garnered nominations such as “Gosford Park“, “The King’s Speech“, and “Howards End“, which makes it so cool to see her creating such raw and original and truly contemporary visions for this latest masterwork, and getting much deserved recognition for it.
If you haven’t seen “Mad Max: Fury Road” do so. It is a magnificently conjured film by true veterans of the craft. To be honest, I had my doubts about it, as I am getting so tired of these Hollywood remakes, but with the original director at the helm it truly is a treat to see what could be done with a story like Mad Max if given the treatment it deserves.
And if you wonder how possibly could we see the tattered and extreme costumes of “Fury Road” translate to today’s fashion scene. Look no further than say Kanye West’s label “Yeezy” and his latest collection SEASON 3 . . .apparently dystopia is tres chic these days, and that’s just a single example. Go figure!
We hope to delve a bit more into the Costume Design category in the coming week, so stay tuned!
And don’t forget to watch on the big night (Feb. 28) to see history in the making!
How rich it is to find the threads of our {past}, {present}, and {future}
While not all the gentlemen seen in this series have surf boards in their hands, they all undeniably possess that wicked spirit of the surf.
Spontaneous, effervescent, and wild like the waves, these are men of the past who have found sanctuary in the beauty of the ocean, and have used its energy to conjure an unbeatable swag, and undeniable attitude.
We love looking through what people wore, and especially with swimwear, not much has changed. Whether shorts or speedos, the look and style of these basics can still be found today.
And while we don’t wear the one-piece suits anymore, or have to swim with tank tops; these looks are more and more interesting and intriguing. There is some unique stuff there that just needs to come back (striped one-piece, graphic swim tanks) into play!
Especially with today’s climate, always drifting back to the past for inspiration, I’m sure we’ll be seeing more of these influences in the mix in coming years. If not, we’ll just have to take it on ourselves. Either way – it’s happening.
Check out the amazing pictures we’ve found for you all to get in the swing of Surf, and the attitude that makes it timeless beyond the bleached blonde hair and tubular moods we automatically associate with this lifestyle.
So what do you think? Have things changed that much? There’s no time value on fun in the sun, that’s for sure.
Share you favourite pics with your friends or post to your own blog
We’ve been seeing a lot of these, as of late, on our virtual style quests, and find this mythic hairstyle’s history absolutely fascinating. The hair-doe characterized by its voluminous waves and carefully coiffed height was first coined in the 18th Century after French aristocrat, Madame de Pompadour – the mistress of King Louis XV. The style was later revived in the later part of the 19th Century and onward through the First World War, and became synonymous with the “Gibson Girl” ideal of beauty popularized in this era. The do became a “Do” again, in vogue, as a much tighter version of it could be seen on Hollywood movie starlets of the ’40s like Joan Crawford and Bette Davis. However, it would be the 1950s that would totally turn the style around, and have the men sporting the look. Popularized by rock stars of the day like Elvis Presley, Ricky Nelson, and Billy Fury, as well as actors like James Dean. The style was quickly taken up by youth culture and society’s outcasts to become a staple of counter culture style and individual beauty. From movie stars to street gangs, the style was versatile, slick, and of course, “cool”.
Bottega Veneta, 2012
The rest is history, as even today, hundreds of style obsessed and nostalgia driven guys (like ourself) pain away the day to get their hair high and enough waves to keep it up there. What do they say again? “The higher the hair, the closer to God”. In that case, we might be looking at the Tower of Babel of Hair with how popular the Pompadour is getting. Check out this latest {PHOTO-BLAST} for a one-of-a-kind blast to the past of “Pomp + Circumstance”. . .
Some new editions in the {SHOP} – more home pieces, and some new clothes and updated pricing on some of our older pieces, so DO take a look!
Remember, being part of a secret society, of sorts, has its perks, and when you use the coupon code XIXIXI at checkout you receive 25% OFF your purchase.
So check out the {SHOP}, because you never know what you might find!
Sometimes you can just wake up in the mood for some Beatnik poetry.
We want to hear that wa-dee-ya cry from that broken saxophone on the dusty radio . . .the wisha-wish-washish from the pipe in my basement sink . . . that shining reverie from that crusty Madonna posing as some telephone operator on the other end of this plastic cup. . .
Something like that, right? But even better (though I’m gonna give it up for myself on that one)!
Check out this clip from the classic not to be forgotten 1958 film “High School Confidential” starring Russ Tamblyn, John Drew Barrymore and Mamie Van Doren (to name a few). The film was meant to be an expose on the horrifying beat generation and their libertine ways infiltrating every dark corner of the American Dream! And GASP! Your children ! ! ! EEK!
{Mamie Van Doren Gets A Visit From
A Young & Shirtless Russ Tamblyn}
You’d think most parents would be proud to see their daughter schmoozing it up at some artsy bar, and rattling out some rhythmic articulation of her soul, but amidst the repression of the era, this film was just another hot potato of controversy tampering with societal morals and hardcore stepping on accepted standards of decency.
Today it’s fun to revisit, and imagine life the way it was in the movies . . . Phillipa Fallon, the lovely brunette in the clip, totally attacks the scene and will make you want to watch it over and over again . . .Not much is known about the actress, but there is a site dedicated to her which I have included the link above! Interestingly, she was signed to the same agency as the notorious Frances Farmer . . .
So take me to the Beatnik Bar, Daddy! I have a ringing in my brain that needs to be let free!
Tomorrow is a drag, Man! Tomorrow is a King-sized bust!
It’s Halloween, and we thought that called for a special {PHOTOBLAST} in honor of the occasion!
