Recent Work: Thirties Glamour

Here's a photo I styled from our Beaute Social shoot with Dollface by Jules and my husband- Dylan Wilson. This photo has stood out to me ever since I first laid eyes on it. I think it's because it has this wonderfully glamorous, dramatic quality about it.  It seems to capture a 'moment' and I love the shape of her body against the stairs.

Reverse Refashion

This was a dress that I was so sick of... I almost gave it away then I decided to just turn it around backwards! This is something I've done before then forgot about, now I'm doing it all the time! If you have a dress (or top) that's either too low, too casual, or too blah then try flipping it around. You will get the beautiful higher neckline in the front and the dip in the back (so 30s!)

 

Outfit details:

Dress- Kristen Davis @ Belk (old)

Straw clutch- thrifted

Sunglasses- Urban Outfitters 

Wedges- Ralph Lauren @ Macys (gift from Therese)

30s on Jones

Here's one of my recent thrift finds that was so old lady but I loved it anyway and was seeing 1930s... so the husband and I were out the door and down the street to snap a few quick photos!

Outfit Details:
Skirt & blouse set- thrifted
Oxford shoes- Payless

Pretty scandalous Pin ups

Just sharing some pin up prints I came across recently while antiquing...

"Black Magic"

I'm pretty much at a loss as to what to say....absolutely bewitching! Can you imagine the reaction in the 50's?

"Hold Everything"

Love everything about this print from 1954- part of a series called "panties falling down" by Art Frahm for the A.Fox calendar company. Yeah, there is really an entire series devoted to this theme. Wow. Don't you just adore her doll face makeup with ultra rosy cheeks?

Traveling back a bit in the pin up world to the 1930's, here are two (more modest) favorites I spied while perusing the web...






30s pin ups found via Pin up Passion. Check them out HERE to view more of these beauties!
...Stay tuned for more pin up beauties in the near future (I will be sharing some of my favorites from a new book that was just too irresistible to pass up!)

DIY modern 1930s nails: part 2

As a follow up to my post on how to do a modern update on the 1930s half moon manicure,  here are some other color combos that I've tried and liked. (I'm also dying to try out white and black as in the image above, however applying the white takes more time and precision- more on that later). For now, some recommendations for the easy glitter route....







Left to right:

Mac Turnelle (or any deep black)/ LA colors Art deco in silver (best deal at dollar tree)

Essie chinchilly (or OPI french quarter for your thoughts)/ wet and wild party of five glitters

Mary Kay plush plum/ Lancome limited edition golden hat collection #003*

*I LOVE this gold color- hard to find glitter like this and looks awesome all over the nail as well!

The middle duo would be best if you want to try out this trend in a more subtle way- as the drama of this look generally comes from high contrast combinations.

DIY modern 1930s nails

Ever need to get a fill-in but no time to get to the nail salon? Or like me, you just want a way to make your manicure last longer? Personally, I love this quick fix solution- such a modern update on the half moon manicure that was so stylish in the 1930s....






all over color: urban outfitters smush
Moon color: obsessive compulsive cosmetics






If you know me, you've probably noticed that I'm a big fan of the half moon manicure and all the different possibilities for color combos! I have so many favorites and there are different techniques out there so I will be doing a follow up post on this subject later along with a little more history!

For now, here's my quick shortcut technique for getting the look that can be accomplished in a matter of minutes for the lazy fashionista that wants a funky update on this vintage manicure style. FYI- The reason this can be done so quickly and you don't notice imperfections much is because of the texture of the glitter.


How to:
1) Likely you will need to first apply a fresh coat of your existing color or a similar color I'd you don't have the same polish. Let dry- doesn't need to be completely dry though.

2)Using a glitter nail polish of your choice (I prefer silver, gold, or rainbow-shown here), apply only to the moon area at the base of you nails, creating a curvy half circle shape. I recommend starting out small and then making the moon area larger if desired.

3) Reapply glitter to make more opaque if desired (that's the look I did).

4) Let it dry a bit then finish with a clear top coat avoiding the glitter area.

Tip:
Look for glitter polish that is more opaque/thick with lots of sparkles than translucent and you will get the look much easier. Also, the thicker the glitter, the more it camouflages the space where you need a fill-in (if you have fake nails).

Surrealist street fashion

Check out this very creative take on the traditional Easter hat I spied yesterday whilst out and about in  Savannah.....

 

Does he realize he's totally channeling Schiaparelli?? 

 Schiaparelli's infamous "Shoe Hat" of 1937- a result of her collaboration with Surrealist artist Salvador Dali.

Flamenco Re-Fashion

If you know me, you know I enjoy a good fashion challenge! So when I had literally five minutes to get ready to go to the theater to see a play with the in-laws and my husband for his birthday... creativity set in! As they say...necessity is the mother of all invention. (More of my thoughts on that later). We were visiting so I had very little with me (not completely true) and had to throw something together pronto! In this case, my eye was drawn to an old dance costume piece that my sister-in-law gave me a few days earlier as she was cleaning out her closet of old dance costumes (where are the rest of them??!!)

It was a black lace Flamenco style petticoat to be exact.

Out of sheer (literally) necessity, I added black leggings and then added the only decent dressy top I had in my suitcase. Usually I wear lots of all black but this time I actually wanted to show the color/texture contrast through the skirt so I chose this ivory top. I finished with a black stretch (thrift store) belt to tie it together, black 40s-inspired patent pumps (kensie girl), tied my hair back in a bun, and threw a cherry blossom behind my ear off the tree in the yard!

1940s pumps

When we snapped a few photos I imagined myself as a glamorous Latina Flamenco dancer..... :)

.

I love the movement you can create with these frills and ruffles!

So if your wondering what Flamenco is all about....
It's an expressive Spanish dance style that combines energetic footwork with dramatic arm and hand movements. The costume choice is strategic in enhancing the dance movements through the tight waist line with full skirt (or pencil skirt that fishtails out like this one) highlighting the hip movements. And don't forget all the flounces, frills and ruffles (even on the arms) that are so integral to emphasizing the drama of the dance.

 Other aspects of the Flamenco look are usually a low neckline with center-parted hair pulled back in a low chignon (to emphasize the neck) paired with accessories like hair flowers, scarves, large earrings (dangle or hoop), fans, beaded necklaces and rows of bangles.

Perhaps the most famous Flamenco fashionista, Carmen Miranda (1940s). Love the huge pile of beads and her signature head piece brings the look into fantasy land!

The flamenco dancer Manuela Vargas, 1963. Love the placement of her flowers. 60s cat eye makeup but her straight brows, spit curls and drop earrings are channeling a twenties vibe.

Left: 1951 Flamenco dress; Right: 1946 Flamenco-inspired evening ensemble.

Flamenco look with 20s finger-waved hair

OK, so I am now officially inspired...I see myself doing another look like this in the future with more color, drama, accessories, punch, just STUFF!

 

Image sources:
http://amare-habeo.tumblr.com
http://www.theduskzone.com
http://thespillblog.co.uk/2011/09/09/friday-night-flamenco-solo-artists-2/
http://rascalkosher.blogspot.com/2009_05_01_archive.html
http://www.farfetch.com/art187.aspx

Old Hollywood Glamour at the drugstore

If you are a lover of vintage and love beautiful packaging (who isn't?) then you must know about this great little find....


It's Coty Airspun Loose Face Powder- the original formula back in time from the 1930s in a similar packaging to the original. Only thing is... now its in a plastic container versus the original cardboard box packaging. There are many dealers selling the original boxes on ebay so if you come across a cardboard one hold on to it! I came across the powder in my local CVS a few months ago for $6 and had to scoop it up! It looks gorgeous just sitting on the dresser but luckily I like what it does- mattes the skin and sets makeup. It comes with a fluffy powder puff and is offered in a range of colors including Translucent (which I will probably get as well), but the color I have is neutral (best if you want a more warm/yellow tone).

Here's what the display looks like.

Parisian Francois Coty started out selling fragrances and powder during and after the years of World War 1 in Europe. Interestingly enough, he became incredibly wealthy during this time- enter the beginning of the lipstick theory! Coty developed his cosmetics offerings to compliment his fragrances...even the lipstick was scented to mimic the fragrance. The beauty and quality of the packaging was of utmost importance to Coty, as evident in the ads below. Many women even re-purposed the empty boxes when they were empty, using them to store sewing notions.

1940s ad featuring shade recommendations for blondes and brunettes.

1940s ad featuring the variety of "fragrance" options available- each in their own specially designed package.

Left to right: L'Origan, L'Almant, Paris, Emeraude.

"TO BE IN FASHION TODAY, FACE POWDER MUST BE FRAGRANT TOO!" 1932 ad explains the seduction of Coty's "haunting fragrances" featured in the powder.  

1935 ad features women dressed in a variety of modes- from sportswear to evening wear, illustrating that Coty is for every gal! 
(This ad is an interesting illustration of the decades new popularity of active outdoor lifestyles simultaneously existing alongside the deco decadent glamour).

What a great way to add a little vintage glam to your makeup bag!

Sources:
Adclassix.com
Elizbeth Z. Coty collection 
Francois Coty: Fragrance, Power, Money (book) 

http://nancyfashionfancy.blogspot.com
http://vintagepowderroom.com