Well, the weather outside is crummy, and Baby, it’s cold outside!
So, with the help of two Spanish beauties – one dressed in black, and one dressed in white, we are taken away to a tropical paradise in this next addition to our ever growing {MUSIC MINUTE} series:
Presenting “DARLING” by Bacarra
{circa. 1977}
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Hope this entry takes you away to somewhere warm and sunny . . .
Until we meet again,
{theEye}
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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.-BELL, “The Thin Red Line” by Terrence Malick {based on the novel by James Jones}
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?
-TRAIN, “The Thin Red Line” by Terrence Malick {based on the novel by James Jones}
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Gucci Cruise 2017 at Westminster Abbey, London {May, 2016}
“I chose Westminster Abbey because everyone has this idea of London being cool, but for me the history is what’s really cool.”
-Alessandro Michele {source}
Check out this righteous collection of photographs from Nick Waplington of the menswear in Alessandro Michele’s triumphant 2017 Cruise collection for GUCCI making another landmark in style for the classic Italian high fashion brand, and what is being known as another groundbreaker in the area of men’s fashion and style.
The inspirations are vast and varied ( spot turn of the century collegiate vibes, 80s punks, 90s street couture, 1920s leisurewear, 70s bohemian playboys, 50s varsity jocks, 19th century naturalists, Edo Japan, and more ), and its this exciting eclecticism that is putting Michele at the forefront of truly changing the way we look at specifically men’s fashion, which for the most part has become a sea of black, beige, and boring.
Our motto has always been ‘more is more’, and we’re happy to have such a prestigious like mind in our corner on the matter. If you are unfamiliar with the new GUCCI vibe, this collection of portraits will not only be getting you a taste, but you will truly understand what all the buzz is about. Taken almost portrait style, the loud and eccentric looks are jarringly juxtaposed against the backdrop of a stately English country home like a tribe of wanderlusting young men who had just conquered the Old World and are setting forth establishing the New.
This is a new voice, yes; and yet, much of what we see isn’t necessarily “new” in any way, in fact, as we pointed out with the mass of inspirations colliding in this collection, its a true example of taking from the {past} to invigorate the {present} and thus poising change for the {future} …
We have always felt like fashion and style is like a secret society full of codes and rules and symbols that all add up to create greater meaning . . . like geomancy, the way you mix and match elements have different suggestions and powers. If you are wise, you can use these powers to your advantage in your day-to-day, and even make great strides in following your path to destiny.
Through Alessandro Michele’s meticulous orchestration, and continuing success in the fashion industry, be sure to check out the change that is ready to explode in our everyday! Just look around . . .
After looking through the photographs, I’m sure you will notice the sense of individualism achieved in this collection which is a funny thing to say, when a collection is usually thought of as a wholly distinct and cohesive mass, however, what Michele knows is that there will be dozens of different men who in their daily lives belong to whichever tribe (suits, shorts, bohos, rock n rollers, geeks, streets, etc.) and having such an eclectic array provides the greatest cohesion amongst men.
Also, note the artisanal quality of each piece. This not the same GUCCI that you find horrible knock-offs of in Chinatown . . . these are truly thought out works of art. From the embroidery, to the hand painting, to the beading, bleaching, patchwork, knitwear; each piece has a true artist quality that renders the price tags not even as devastating when you think of the work involved, as well as the increasing value throughout time.
Even with all the embellishment, at the end of the day you are looking at classic and timeless pieces. If you check out our {SHOP} you can find a lot of style-wise pieces that can help you achieve the look!
CHECK OUT THE {SHOP} FOR MORE!
USE CODE XIXIXI FOR 25% OFF AT THE CHECKOUT
Keep it classic. Keep it timeless. Keep it unique.
Hopefully we provided some inspiration.
Carry forth, and be wise to your times.
Estis Virum Reddit
Until we meet again,
{theEye}
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There once was a mysterious band of knights who roamed and raved their days and nights along the banks of the cool dark waters. Young and wild, they howled at the moon like the wolves, and on the clear days when the sun seemed to sparkle like diamonds on their faces, they stood sullen like statues of antiquity before cawing and cooing outrageously to their peers.
They sat watching the crowd waves roar; the boardwalk full of walking visitors, strange and new from far away places, that would all turn away in disdain from the boys of summer, sensing somehow their mighty position above it all . . .
They weren’t there for the sights and sounds, instead vying for an order of things far from the distressing quarrels of everyday society.
Simple positions shared amongst them all. One assigned to watch, another to distribute, another to discover, and the rest to play by the rules. No one over stepped a turn at the bottle, for each one knew that their last could be any day. Neville, one of the leaders, would say, ‘Never shy from your true colours’ and these they would display with unbroken pride.
Your honour was earned by the friendships you garnered and gathered.
Some say they had magic on their sides; magic powers taken from the ages, used to ensure their place along the sand dunes. Others say they made friends easily, but were actually ghosts playing games on the common folk.
Only one place in the world for them. A sacred fellowship that haunts us all to this day . . .
I like to imagine seeing them there every time I go back to the seaside. Guarding their little corner of the Earth, and protecting the small sliver of paradise they managed to claim as their own.
Sometimes I can hear them sing their favourite tune; a memory that wavers from faded dream to brilliant exuberance.
It was a familiar one made their own by one of their musically gifted initiates –
“Going down to Stoney End.
I never wanted to go down to Stoney End.
Momma let me start all over!
Cradle me Momma!
Cradle me Again . . . “
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The Knights of the Sandcastle need your help reviving their unique spirit that has been suppressed by the ages.
With their help, you too can be free. We have lots of wicked vintage apparel in the {SHOP} today so make sure you take a look, and invite a friend while you’re at it!
Our {SHOP} on ETSY is stocked full of goodies, so take a peak before they’re gone. . .
XIXIXI
Unti next time,
{theEye}
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A new film entitled “Love & Mercy” has just been released starring Paul Dano as Beach Boys frontman Brian Wilson. And today on “The View”, Brian Wilson admitted he has never once been surfing in his entire life!
Indeed, it was his bad ass boy brother Dennis who served as the true muse behind the vibe that would make The Beach Boys sore to meteoric heights, and ultimate icon status. But little do most people know that Dennis Wilson was a righteous pioneer of music in his own right!
In 1977 he released “Pacific Ocean Blue” which featured this – an all-time ultimate summer song entitled “River Song”, which showcases Dennis’ unique musical stylings and unending talent.
Sadly, Dennis Wilson would be found dead in the Marina Del Rey on December 28, 1983. To read more on this idol of style and life be sure to read our E.O.F. STYLE IDOL: Dennis Wilson {THE BAD BEACH BOY} for tons of content to muse and conjure the spirit!
Also, check out the {SHOP} from some sweet vintage digs to get the feelings flowing this summer!
Don’t forget, friends – XIXIXI gets you 25 % OFF on anything, so don’t wait!
Until we meet again,
{theEye}
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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
and help showcase {vintage} summer style!!!
Hope you’re keeping cool.
It’s hot.
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25 % OFF with CODE XIXIXI
Escape . . .
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Sometimes we use inspiration to invoke a certain spirit to amp up our day, but on days like this, inspiration can be used to transport oneself to new worlds. In our case, we were looking for much hotter destinations to take us away from this bitter cold.
This being said, we easily found ourselves taken away to the beach, and who better to spend a day at the beach with than the impenetrable, secret agent, 007 himself – Bond. James Bond.
And if you’re friends with Bond, you’re likely to rub shoulders and elbows (maybe more) with any number of his beautiful beach bunny sweethearts. But don’t get too cozy in the sand just yet. Some of these beach bod bombshells are not to be trusted, and some of them have a bark that’s worse than their bite. So maybe best to just admire from the distance and let Bond do the dirty work . . .
From Honey Rider to Agent XXX, Bond has had more than his handful of beautiful women, which could account for his own impeccable sense of style. He is a man that knows it pays to look your best!
So enough chit-chat! Feel the sand between your toes, and lets hit the waves!
![1965 Thunderball 37 [Claudine Auger]](https://theeyeoffaith.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/1965-thunderball-37-claudine-auger.jpg?w=62&h=166 "1965 Thunderball 37 [Claudine Auger]")
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It’s official, swimsuit season is here, and that beautiful tropical heat is beckoning for all of us to take a dive into the nearest pool of water – any pool of water! While we prefer the beach, community pools, water parks, and backyard bashes all call for appropriate swim gear.
Here at The Eye of Faith, you know how much we love vintage clothing, but when it comes to swimsuits for men – a really great piece of true vintage is extremely rare to come by in this department.
If you can find a piece that is void of rips, holes, and stains, it is only half the battle.
While these days, most swimsuits are made using water-friendly fabrics such as polyster or nylon, most “true vintage” pieces dating between the 1910s-1950s are made from not-so-water-friendly fabrics such as cotton, wool, and yarn (making them extremely HEAVY) . In fact, your best bet, if you come across one of these pieces, or have one lying around, might be to save it for a museum (which isn’t that bad…)!
But, as we mentioned, the sun is screaming for us now – and the waves are not going to stop crashing anytime soon, so what do you do when you want that authentic vintage style, but can’t find the real thing?!
Look no further, as always, The Eye of Faith has you covered for ideas and inspiration.
Luckily, many of the top fashion brands out there know the staying power of vintage, and provide everything you need to create that vintage look without destroying a valuable piece of history.
Taking some of our favorite snapshots of the past, we were able to put together some vintage-inspired swimsuits from some of our favorite online fashion and style destinations, so you can get the look you aspire to.
1910s – 1920s
“All-white and flesh-colored suits were discouraged as anatomical details were too clear. Nothing below the armpits could be shown on the chest. Men’s suits needed a skirt or skirt effect, worn outside the trunks. The leg could not be shorter than 4 inches from the knee and the skirt not shorter than two inches above the bottom of the trunks.”
-“Bathing Suit Regulations in the American City” by the American Association of Park Superintendents {circa. 1917}
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The turn-of-the-century was a huge turning-point for swimwear, and what were once cumbersome full-piece suits that would keep you almost fully covered, evolved into lighter, slouchier, more casual one-pieces made from yarn or wool.
While, the one piece isn’t necessarily something you’d consider wearing into the pool, taking cues from vintage snapshots featuring these unique looks is a fantastic source of inspiration.
You will find a lot of graphic simplicity in the suits that feature details like ribbing, stripes, and buttons. This is what we looked for in putting together our inspired looks. You can keep to the dark palette of the era, but don’t be afraid to shake up the past with a little color!
{Sparks Aaron Oversized Pocket Tank} from ASOS.
{Two Square Vinny Stripe Tank} from ASOS.
{Rachel Comey Swim Trunks in Grey} from OPENING CEREMONY.
{Nautical Tank in Grey and/or Blue} from ASOS.
{Oiler and Boiler Stripe Swim Trunks} from ASOS.
{Religion Button-Up Tank} from ASOS.
{VANS Stripe Tank} from ASOS.
{Rachel Comey Swim Trunks in RED/BLUE} from OPENING CEREMONY.
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1930s – 1940s
By the 1930s and into the 40s, the slouchy looks of the 10s and 20s had been exchanged for tighter formfitting swimmers. The one-piece has not yet been retired, but for the first time swimwear became available with “Tops” and/or “Bottoms”, giving men the choice to go topless on the beach, causing quite the uproar.
+NYLON was the first completely synthetic fabric
invented by DuPont in 1938+
You will find the look has cleaned up, embracing the body, and elevating it to Olympic proportions. When going for a look inspired by the 30s and 40s, think athletic, and tight. Don’t be afraid to go for speedos and swim trunks made from elastic materials for that skin-tight effect.
We turned to snapshots of life guards from the period, as well as some of the Golden Gods of Hollywood for our inspiration.
{Cheap Monday Kim Printed Tank} from ASOS.
{Hugo Boss Panrea Swim Shorts} from MACY’s.
{Adidas Original Tank with Trefoil Logo} from ASOS.
{Shorts People Classic Board Shorts} from OPENING CEREMONY.
Clockwise from Left:
{Emporio Armani Stretch Cotton Black Tank} from ASOS.
{Diesel Tank} from ASOS.
{Hugo Boss Solid Oyster Swim Shorts} from MACY’s.
{Speedo Shoreline Swim Briefs} from MACY’s.
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1950s – 60s.
Swim trunks for men really came into their own by the 1950s. Instead of wool and yarn, cotton became the fabric of choice, and no longer was wearing swim trunks without a top an impolite statement.
Movie stars continued to push the popularity of the boxer swimsuit, and soon the beach boy surfer became the accepted ideal. The addition of bright colors and exotic patterns is something we still see today.
Today, finding this look is easy, and many of the industry’s top fashion labels feature cuts and prints directly inspired by this era. Look out for retro patterns and colors that evoke notions of paradise. The cut really is key, making sure to keep it short.
There’s no doubt, the beach boy on the surf is as classic as it gets, and is an easily achievable look today.
Clockwise from Left:
{Hartford Fish Trunks} from ASOS.
{Oiler & Boiler Stars Classic Swim Trunks} from ASOS.
{River Island Car Print Swim Shorts} from ASOS.
{Oiler & Boiler Tuckernuck Island Swim Short} from ASOS.
Clockwise from Left:
{Hartford Paisley Swim Trunks} from ASOS.
{Shorts People Grey Floral Swim Trunks} from OPENING CEREMONY.
{ASOS Geo Print Swim Trunks} from ASOS.
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+HISTORIA MAGISTRA VITAE+
“History is the Teacher of Life“
So no fret, my fine fellows, if you’re not finding that great pair of vintage swim shorts you dream of – you’re not the only one. But until then, there are dozens of easy ways to achieve your vintage fantasies, and all it takes is a little inspiration!
By looking through dozens of vintage photographs, advertising, fashion plates, and magazines we were able to sum up certain elements that characterized each era:
1910s-20s: Slouchy, Simple, Graphic
1930s-40s: Athletic & Form Fitting
1950s-60s: Cut, Colour, Pattern
By applying these characteristics, you can easily satisfy those vintage aspirations! Best thing is, now that we’re into swimsuit season – most of these summer styles are on or heading to the SALE section, which means you can save some bucks!
If you’re a true vintage swimsuit aficionado, we will be keeping our {EYE} out, and in the meantime don’t hesitate to try eBay – vintage suits do show up, but they go very quickly, so react fast!
Thanks for reading!
Sincerely,
{theEye}
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It’s been a while since I’ve listen to it. I had boughten it high school, enticed by the album cover and vaguely noting some Awards buzz that had been circulating on the internet at that time, I thought my disposable teenage income was worth the $25 I remember it costing. . .
To say the least, I was enthralled immediately by the solemn tone of the soundtrack mixed with eclectic vintage oldies that ranged from Nat King Cole to this cool Chinese track entitled “Shaung Shaung Yan” by Dan Bai Ying.
It brings me to a place. I like that place. It conjures up images from the film which are as haunting as every Wong Kar Wai film always is.
He always brings a stylistic edge that is so cinematic, but simple, and absolutely graceful in its visual prose and chemistry in action. The film is a menagerie of mood through colour, and watch how drastically and dramatically colour plays a role in his movies.
This matched with the cuts and characters of the clothing chosen for each scene, and you have a virtual vortex of vintage inspiration before your eyes. . .
I like to conjure this film when I want to feel cool and relaxed but sophisticated and worldly.
Slick suits, hair, graphic ties, and sun glasses at night for the boys; and for the ladies, try some Asian inspiration with a glamorous 1960s edge that always gives off the ultimate sense of cool. Give everything a tropical edge to make it true.
Here’s some stuff in our {SHOP} that can help you get In the Mood for Love:
Things are going, so don’t wait too long to jump at it.
Feel free to email me at the.eye.of.faith@gmail.com with any questions or concerns.
Don’t forget to stay inspired!
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Until next time,
{theEye}
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Known as “The Personality Girl”, Annette Hanshaw was a popular chanteuse of the 1920s who brought a modern spirit to the classic ingenue. She was signed with Pathe records, and later married label executive Herman Rose, effectively retiring from entertainment altogether.
While for many years it was believed the actress had begun her singing career shortly after her 16th birthday, it has been recently revealed that, in fact, Hanshaw was born in 1901, and not 1910, making her 25 at the time of her first recording in 1926.
She was a prolific performer (with over 780 recordings!), and made records under dozens of pseudonyms including Gay Ellis for sentimental songs, Dot Dare and Patsy Young (for Betty Boop impressions), as well as Ethel Bingham, Marion Lee, Janet Shaw, and Lelia Sandford. And while she made an attempt at a comeback later in her life, the demos were never released.
We bring you now her 1929 classic “Pagan Love Song” to drift away with, and help enjoy the day. . . her voice is the pinnacle of that 1920s sound, and is as fresh and true as ever. It’s the perfect song for these hot and lazy summer days.
Please enjoy, and look for more of Annette Hanshaw‘s wonderful recordings (we are blessed to have them) !
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