La Mystique Féminine

If you've spent much time here at DJRD then you've probably noticed that I am a sucker for vintage color photography and could spend hours (and probably have) scouring the archives of places like LIFE magazine.  Here is another batch reminiscent of the circus photos I posted many many moons ago. This time it’s New York showgirls from 1958 and they are so lovely they make me want to cry a little.    

                

It's interesting when you think about how taboo being a showgirl must have been, what with the conventional, almost virginal, 1950s ethos.  That said, this was the very tail-end of all of that and not many years later America would be in the thralls of an all out sexual revolution. Clearly, all was not as clean-cut as we have been lead to believe!   

                           

   

                          


I also can’t help but wonder... where on earth did all of these costumes go?!??!

photos from  
GORDON PARKS’ NIGHTCLUB PORTRAITS / Life Magazine 
“Without the Girls, Show Biz Is No Biz"

the Million Dollar Mermaid

I thought I would to do a little post in honor of Esther Williams leaving this realm for the next earlier this week at the age of 91 (not a bad run).



Truth be told, I have become more of a fan in my adult life though I was vaguely aware of her as a child mostly due to clips of her swimming with Tom & Jerry in "Dangerous When Wet".

Now I am in awe of her gorgeous wardrobe and incredible grace and stamina. I also own a couple of her vintage inspired swimsuits - a favorite of mine! Here's another classic example of what Esther was all about - excuse me while I drool over these costumes...

RIP Esther ❤

fall fashion :: red valentino

This week I thought I would try to do a few true "fashion posts" and share some of the F/W2012 collections that I was most impresses and enamored with. First up is one of the most perfect collections I've seen in ages, Red Valentino...

 

(images via style.com)

Splashes of late Victorian/Edwardian and perhaps some Alice in Wonderland (ie: school girl chic), all mixed together with a bit of the 1950s - Those some of the biggest influences of my own wardrobe so, basically, this collection really speaks my language.  more here>>>

ladylike

Hello from Sundance! While I'm busy watching films and running around Park City I thought I'd share this pretty editorial I recently came across...

 I think I'm starting to be ready for spring colors! Mostly I want the house in this editorial! so good!

Model: Meghan Collison 

Shot by: Ben Toms for Vogue Russia

 Styled by Katie Shillingford. 

photos via: fashiongonerouge

 

step right up! step right up!

I am a sucker for photos of vintage showgirls, ballerinas and the like... so... when I stumbled upon these incredible photos of circus performers from the 1940s and 50s, I basically shrieked with delight! Now I wanted to share them with you too...

 (the mini chihuahua caught my eye for obvious reasons! I suppose I take it for granted that they are a new invention - not so!)

Now if only I could get my paws on those unbelievable costumes!  I have a tiny collection of vintage stagewear (which someday I'll add to) but nothing this spectacular. I know some of these must exist out there in some old attic or crawlspace! 

Images are originally from this book  - photos found via how to be a retronaut

vintage vogue :: part 2

I really wanted to share the photos of 1940s and 50s Vogue from myvintagevogue so I decided to do a second vintage Vogue post with my favorites from the next two decades...brace yourselves for greatness...  


1940s:

1950s:

 

Ah, the hats, head scarves and accessories in these old editorials, I want them all.  So very inspiring for fall & winter.  I really wish I had a stack of old 1940s Vogues in my library but for now I am more than thrilled that this site exists. Don't worry though, I think I may have gotten that out of my system now! so I'll spare you the 1960s :)