i spy: cool dames, dapper gents, and a European vacation

In June my eye was caught by cool dames (like Bardot, Swinton, and Piaf), dapper gentlemen, and anything having to do with Munich or Vienna.  (Yes, I can't stop thinking about our trip to Europe this fall, as you can tell by the second collection of photos below.)

Have a look, and check out my Tumblr and Pinterest for more!

1 / tintype portrait of a dog perched between two photographic braces, ca. 1860-1890 / via artfact.com

2 / Tilda Swinton modeling the Chanel Paris-Edimbourg collection, which I apparently cannot get enough of / via

3 / Brigitte Bardot / via

4 / every man should dress like this.  London street style. / Street Style Aesthetic

5 / Edith Piaf by Jean Gabriel Séruzier, 1940 / via

1 / my favorite actor (who happens to be Austrian--indeed, Viennese!) models for Prada / via

2 / a scene drawing for Die Niebelungen by Otto Hunte / via deutsches Film Museum Film Institut

3 / Munich in autumn, photo by Mariusz Kluzniak / via

4 / three faces representing painting, architecture, and sculpture at the Vienna Secession Hall, photo by Simon Trimby / via

5 / Zoigl beer sign, outside Wolframstub'n Zoiglbrauerei in Windischeschenbach, Bavaria.  Each side of the six-sided stars outside these establishments represents one of the six ingredients that goes into making the beer. / via Michael James/beertravl's Flickrstream

6 / an Art Nouveau guest bedroom by Bruno Paul, 1901 / via

xo

K

shop preview

Tomorrow is Independence Day here in the United States, so I thought it was the perfect time to photograph the first dress below, which is quite a firecracker!  All items coming to the shop over the next week.

1950s scarlet tulle Atomic Fireball dress with feathered bodice.

1950s pale pink bow neck blouse, by Judy Bond.

1960s Lilly Pulitzer butterfly print dress.

1950s taffeta In the Clover print dress.

1960s blue striped seersucker blouse, by Majestic.

1970s Pucci-esque print  dress with puff sleeves and empire neckline.

1950s blue plaid shorts.

1950s two piece set--pink bombshell dress with pintucked top, decorated with rhinestones and floral lace applique.

1950s white tie waist blouse with pintucks and embroidery.

1940s dress by Johnnye Junior Sportswear.

1960s EKG explosion top, by Donnkenny.

xo

K

shop preview: faux snakeskin, gold mesh, tooled leather + typography!

Faux snakeskin shoes, a golden mesh bag, a charming typography scarf, and much more in this shop accessories preview!  All items coming to the shop soon.

1960s mod faux snakeskin pumps.

1920s lace up boots.

Two tone brown pebbled leather handbag by Davey's Worcester Mass.

Deadstock gold Whiting & Davis mesh bag with tags and box.

1950s Delill basket bag.

1950s smoke gray plastic eyeglass frames, by American Optical.

1950s tortoiseshell faux bois American Optical eyeglass frames.

1970s tooled and painted marijuana leaf belt.

American Legion belt buckle.

Charming typography print scarf.

1970s abstract print Vera Neumann scarf.

1950s purple floral print silk scarf, by Kimball.

xo

K

claire aho

I just "discovered" Finnish photographer Claire Aho for the first time on the internets the other day, and I had to share her fun, bold photographs with you.  Ms. Aho is a pioneer of color photography, who worked out of her own studio in Helsinki in the 1950s and 1960s, at a time when photography and advertising were dominated by men.  I love the color in these photos and the cheeky wit she brings to them, particularly in the first four photos below, which were taken for a textile catalog.

CLAIRE AHO © JB

CLAIRE AHO © JB

CLAIRE AHO © JB

CLAIRE AHO © JB

Can I have this dress, please?

CLAIRE AHO © JB

In additional to fashion and celebrity photography, Aho did product photography as well.

CLAIRE AHO © JB

CLAIRE AHO

Aho also did a series of black and white photos of everyday life in Helsinki in 1968.  I love this one.

You can read more about Claire Aho and see much more of her work at ClaireAho.com.  And if you're lucky enough to be in London, you can go see an exhibit of her work now through July 21 at The Photographers' Gallery.

xo

K

shop preview

This week's shop preview is a little late, but we lost power (after a very brief and not particularly strong storm) on Tuesday, so I didn't get my photo shoot done until yesterday.  It's already turned quite sultry here in Michigan, and this week's selection of pale, icy blues and whites mixed with bright sunshine-y yellows and oranges pretty much sums up summer for me.

Also, this preview has two blouse-and-skirt sets in it.  I think these sets are such excellent wardrobe workhorses.  Wear the pieces together, for a pulled-together dress-like look, or as separates.

All items arriving in the shop soon!

1950s Fiesta del Sol patio skirt and blouse set, by Kerrybrooke (in the shop now!).

1950s ice blue Edelweiss eyelet embroidered dress.

1960s bright psychedelic floral Catalina skirted swimsuit.

1950s lemon stripe sundress with big buttons and miniature lace trim.

1960s white floral lace pencil skirt.

1960s mod orange and blue plaid dress.

1950s old west wagon novelty print pajamas.

1950s floral print blouse and full skirt (with attached mesh crinoline) set.

1960s white nylon blouse with lace trimmed neckline.

1950s sky blue plaid chiffon-trimmed dress with floral applique pocket, by Bennett Fashions.

1960s blue chambray wrap skirt with gingham lining, by Bobbie Brooks.

xo

k

Leben

Well, the last couple weeks have been kind of tough.  As you would expect when you lose your best canine friend and constant companion of the last 14 years.  

As you can see from the title, I am still studying German.  ("Leben" means "life.")  And as you can see from my Instagram, life is going on.  Andy and I planted hydrangea, lavender, and dianthus under the apple tree where we buried Lucy.  We've been trying to keep busy: working, enjoying our favorite Michigan summer produce (asparagus and strawberries), going to the movies (Frances Ha was really great), reading, planning our trip to Europe later this year...

Life goes on, though it's not the same at all.

xo

k

shop preview: a mini wardrobe

I usually have a little bit of everything in my shop previews, and this week is no exception.  Actually, size aside, I think this batch would make a great little wardrobe, all on its own!  It contains a little black dress, a pair of jeans, and some great layering pieces.  All items coming to the shop this week.

1950s black lace and piqué dress, by Kim Kory.

1950s sky blue summer weight cardigan with scalloped Peter Pan collar.

1940s pink dress with stitch print, by Smart Set.

1960s nautical red and blue striped button-back blouse.

1940s blue Deco dot print crepe dress with rhinestone buttons.

1960s golden threaded Das Werk skirt.

1960s black crepe wiggle/cocktail dress with layered, tiered skirt.

1960s brown gingham oxford collar blouse.

1950s cotton floral print dress with bows on the shoulders, by McMullen.

1920s nautical white crochet lace blouse.

1940s cotton floral (feedsack?) dress with rick rack trim.

1950s indigo denim women's jeans, by Stockton of Dallas.

xo
K