Inspirational Illustrations: Paris in the ’70s

1970s, christian dior, Illustrations, leslie chapman, Louis Feraud, paris, petticoat magazine, Sue Hone, Torrente, ungaro

Left to Right: Ungaro, Torrente, Ungaro, Feraud, Feraud, Dior, Feraud and Dior

This is Paris, Spring ’70, though to the uninitiated it might look more like the Wild West than the Right Bank. Some designer are familiar, some so beyond the fringe as to pass without comments, and some so beautiful that you’ll stop at nothing to get your hands on them. High on the wanted list are suedes with Aztec-Indian embroidery and tiny, chin-knotted scarves and long-line boots. There are extra-bulbous knickerbockers with tunic tops that halt firmly at the buttocks, midi-length satin or silk-jersey, pintucked or slit way to the waist, spotted suede, squaw fringing, lace-up sleeves — in every length from mini to maxi!

Fashion by Sue Hone. Illustrated by Leslie Chapman.

Scanned by Miss Peelpants from Petticoat, 4th April 1970

Inspirational Images: Thea Porter and Pineapple

1970s, british boutique movement, chelsea cobbler, Harpers Bazaar, Inspirational Images, Just Jaeckin, laurakitty, thea porter

Embroidery from top to toe – pitch black design worked in panels on a natural calico shirt and knee length skirt, narrowly piped with scarlet; £24, Thea Porter. Natural canvas boots embroidered to match; 15gns to order, Chelsea Cobbler.

Excitement and anticipation is – quite rightly – building for the opening of the Fashion and Textile Museum’s new Thea Porter exhibition (6th February – 3rd May 2015). Guest curated by the lovely Laura McLaws Helms, who has also written the accompanying book, it is surely set to be the exhibition of the year. My Thea gypsy dress is somewhere in there, but having got a sneaky peek last week I can safely say that it will be blown out of the water by the extraordinarily beautiful pieces which have been gathered from a wide variety of sources (as well as ephemera from the archive and a recreation of her glorious dining room).

So to whet your appetite, here’s my dream Thea outfit (well, one of many…) — complete with matching embroidered Chelsea Cobbler boots.

Photographed by Just Jaeckin.

Scanned by Miss Peelpants from Harpers Bazaar, April 1970.

Inspirational Editorials: The Bride Wore Black

1980s, Anna Cloowan, David Fielden, Inspirational Images, james wedge, jane kahn, Lucienne Phillips, The Face, Vintage Editorials

Dress by David Fielden.

So much to love about this editorial, but I was delighted to spot the Jane Kahn ‘Kahniverous’ dress below – mainly because I have it in both black and white. Yes, yes, I know…

Photographed by James Wedge.

Styled by Monique Bourdon. Make-up by Amanda Jackson-Sytner. Hair by Jo O’Sullivan.

Scanned by Miss Peelpants from The Face, June 1986.