April 23, 2012

The roaring 20's styles are making a comeback this year for Spring? 

New York Fashion week trend reports from Harper's Bazaar predict floral and 20's elegance will be here for Spring 2012. Comparing the 20's new look to Daisy Buchanan in 'The Great Gatsby' Many designers are jumping on the 20's bandwagon with some interesting variations like Marc Jacobs and his over-sized plastic sequins.I think Ralph Lauren and Oscar De La Renta nailed it! Ralph with a beautiful 'Evening at home' styled gown and Oscar with a feathered number that is ready for a fabulous dinner. I would take any one of these dresses...even Marc Jacobs weird plastic flapper dress, he's wonderful anyways! I see a touch of the 1930's in some of these...What do you think?  

Marc Jacobs
Ralph Lauren
Oscar DeLaRenta
Derek Lam

April 18, 2012

The Atomic Age Or the Atomic Era...

I'm crazy about the Atomic Era! 

What is that you ask? Here is a little history about it... 

The Atomic Age, also known as the Atomic Era (Space age) is a period of history following WWII after the detonation of the first nuclear bomb on July 16, 1945. Nuclear optimism gained popularity in the 1950s.These designs were influenced by science, space exploration and new and improved technologies. It influenced everything from cars to clothing to house designs. Remember the Tex Avery cartoon 'Car of Tomorrow' from 1951 or his cartoon 'House of Tomorrow' from 1949? I have become ...obsessed! =)


A few swatches of atomic prints...These were the most popular for draperies in the 50's, usually made out of barkcloth and one of my favorite mediums, fiberglass! The atomic clothing usually had a softer print in cotton.  Now you can buy new atomic fabric and make whatever you can dream of.
I will have to share photos of one of my favorite vintage pieces...It's a vintage home-made dress that was made out of atomic drapes. *giggle* 









April 6, 2012

Working on a logo...*sigh*

 I have been working on a logo I like for the past 8 years! Yes...8 years! I FINALLY came up with one a few weeks a go that I could live with, thought it had enough style and maturity (I have a fear of the use of too much color) without being overly "cute" or cliche' ...low-and-behold, it was almost identical to another vintage sellers...*grumble*.  I thought, and thought... and thought some more and realized that my logo should reflect my love of vintage, the Space Age (Atomic) era after WWII and the love of Googie architecture. What is Googie you ask? 
Wikipedia describes googie as: "Googie architecture is a form of modern architecture, a subdivision of futurist architecture that was influenced  by the car culture and the (not to be confused with the machine age of 1880 to 1945) "Space" and "Atomic ages" It started in Southern California in the late 40's an continued through the mid-60's. Many buildings became known as Mid-Century modern style. The name "Googie" came from a coffee shop in West Hollywood


Here are some wonderful examples of Googie architecture:

Mel's Diner Universal Studios

Vegas!

Computer Art

Classic Googie was popular with hotels, coffee shops & bowling alleys

Space Age

Caribbean Hotel Ocean Ave. 1958

Beverly Hills gas station

Car Wash San Bernadino


This is a dying art form. Mid century buildings are being torn-down to make room for new box-buildings. It is heart breaking to see such a whimsical & unique style from our past becoming history...Enjoy the "Googie" in your area while you can