Inspirational Images

The Comely Miss Lumley

Inspirational Images, joanna lumley, Pattie Boyd, sixties

Joanna Lumley in her Swinging Sixties modelling days. An unashamedly posh bird who knew how best to work with masses of hair and ‘insufficient flying buttresses‘. I choose my style heroines verrrrrry carefully, you know…

She’s been in two of my favourite cult TV shows of all time (The New Avengers and Sapphire and Steel) and continues to be an elegant, engaging performer and a true lady to this day. I always admire those who broke somewhat pointless social taboos back in the Sixties, and Joanna chose to have her son ‘out of wedlock’ at a time when it would have ruined many a career.

She’s one of those people who just seems to float gracefully above the mêlée of the world below. Elegant, classy and sparky, never a snob or an airhead. She wasn’t drama school trained either, and I often wonder if this makes someone a warmer, more likeable actor (much like the best fashion designers are rarely those propelled from St. Martins each year).

One day I’ll probably do a proper post on The New Avengers and Sapphire and Steel but, until then, enjoy La Lumley, Sixties-style.












Graceful in Muir

eric bowman, grace coddington, Inspirational Images, jean muir, seventies fashion, Vogue

I love Grace Coddington’s early Seventies look, and I would kill to own either of these Jean Muir dresses. Such amazingly styled and composed photographs…

Photos by Eric Bowman for Vogue, September 1973

James Wedge’s Painted Ladies

19 magazine, Inspirational Images, james wedge, toulouse lautrec

I took a gamble on a copy of James Wedge’s Painted Ladies book. Produced in 1988, it is ostensibly a guide to how Wedge created many of his best images using some extraordinary hand-colouring techniques and bizarre manipulation.

The glorious side-effect is that it is also filled with these lush images. Many of which I haven’t seen before, and some of which were always a bugger to try to scan in from a weirdly sized copy of 19 magazine, or somesuch. I’m sure, over time, I will post more. But I thought I would give you a little taster in this amazing Victorian-themed shoot for 19. Unfortunately, the book isn’t great about giving dates so if anyone knows the issue then please let me know.

I can’t even begin to tell you how bored I am with the whole burlesque/pin-up hoo-ha these days. I’m sure some people do it brilliantly, in fact I know they do, but it’s all become so mainstream and yawnworthy. I can’t really see how jiggling your boobs around in feathers and tassles is particularly superior to jiggling your boobs around a pole, as I’m constantly being told. A stripper is a stripper; a glamour model is a glamour model. But maybe I’m just a cynic? People can do whatever the hell they like and, so long as they’re not hurting anyone, I really couldn’t care less. I just wish it wasn’t everywhere, and that it didn’t seem to automatically correlate with interestingness.

So many times I’ve gone to post amazing pin-up-style photoshoots from the likes of Nova or the Telegraph Magazine, but it’s all so commonplace these days I simply can’t be bothered. However, I don’t need any excuse to post delicious early-Seventies photos by James Wedge, inspired by Toulouse Lautrec. Who happens to be one of my favourite artists and biggest inspirations, and whose grubby, ramshackle, louche ladies are a darn sight more interesting than most of what we’re presented with these days.

James Wedge really does deserve some kind of retrospective exhibition and big glossy book. Would somebody please sort this out some time soon? Please? Thank you….

p.s If you have an issue with nipples, then you might want to avert your eyes and come back tomorrow. I happen to be fascinated by nipples and particularly what James Wedge seems to do with them…




Inspirational Images: Biba

barbara hulanicki, biba, Inspirational Images, seventies fashion

Another uncredited image from David Bond’s book. Well, at least it actually states Biba this time (although it wouldn’t take a rocket scientist to work that one out). This is my dream world. Biba clothes. Dried flowers and feathers. Curls. Sequins. Headscarves…. Suffice it to say, I would like to dive in head first.

Inspirational Images: The little match girl

Inspirational Images, mr freedom, seventies fashion

No idea who took this, who the model is or who she’s wearing. I’m going to hazard a guess at Mr Freedom, but feel free to correct me if I’m wrong.

I’ve scanned it from David Bond’s 1981 Guinness Guide to 20th Century Fashion, which has many luscious images within. Very few are given any kind of credit beyond who owns them. And I doubt those photo agencies exist any more. This is all too often the case with books of such vintage, sadly.

Anonymous Illustrations

19 magazine, Illustrations, Inspirational Images, sixties

Two luscious illustrations from an April 1969 issue of 19 Magazine. Neither are credited. Both are amazing and utterly inspirational. Thank you, anonymous artists, for creating such works of beauty.

Inspirational Images: Portrait of a Lady, by herself

clive arrowsmith, hats, Inspirational Images, seventies fashion, Vogue
This picture is so very beautiful, it makes me catch my breath….the colours are like a dreamscape.

Hat by Otto Lucas.

Photo by Clive Arrowsmith. Vogue, June 1970

I’m in the mood…

edwardian ladies, hair, Inspirational Images, picture spam, silent films
For some more Edwardian ladies…






Gratuitous vintage eye candy: Quorum, Petticoat 1970

alice pollock, celia birtwell, eye candy, Inspirational Images, ossie clark, petticoat magazine, quorum, seventies fashion

This is gratuitous eye candy. Pure and simple. Petticoat, August 1970. Photos by Jeannie.

I love these dedicated boutique fashion spreads. Everything here is from Quorum, either Alice or Ossie.





Inspirational Images: Jeff Banks ensemble

hotpants, Inspirational Images, jeff banks, petticoat magazine, seventies fashion

Petticoat Magazine, May 1971. Photo by John Carter.

Incidentally, if any of my gorgeous readers/customers/friends/family aren’t already aware, Lulu’s Vintage are holding their annual vote for best vintage site. I would really appreciate your votes, but only if you feel like it and if you feel I deserve it! I might not be able to give you actual sweeties as a bribe, but I can give you very delicious images such as the one above! 😉

 


Thank you xx