Wild and Woolly

Debbie Hudson, Inspirational Images, Jane England, knitwear, Rae Laurikietis, seventies fashion, sunday times magazine, Val Moon

Val Moon and Debbie Hudson, known for classic knitted tube dresses and leotards, decided to liven things up by adding some mad accessories to their range: a snake boa made from wool, chenille and metallic threads, which can be wired on to any plain outfit, coiled any way the wearer chooses; outsized dragonflies: sinister vampire bats complete with with red beads scattered like drops of blood (popular with Dracula fans) and exotic orchid lilies. The accessories are not cheap, costing from £10 to £25, and the strapless tube dresses cost £45: all to order from Chantal, 73 St John’s Wood High Street, London, NW8. Words: RAE LAURIKIETIS Pictures: JANE ENGLAND.

Scanned by Miss Peelpants from The Sunday Times Magazine, October 22nd 1978.

Another pair of ‘lost’ knitwear designers. Why do knitwear people seem to get lost much more easily? If anyone knows anything about Val or Debbie, please do let me know! These accessories are so perfect.

Inspirational Images: Ossie Clark, 1976

1970s, british boutique movement, Butler & Wilson, celia birtwell, harpers and queen, Inspirational Images, ossie clark, quorum, Terence Donovan

Loose top with huge sleeves tucked at the wrist in orange, blue, green and red silk chiffon print designed by Celia Birtwell; £164. Matching knee length skirt with tucks at the hips and tie waist; Ossie Clark £164, Quorum 54 Radnor Walk, SW3. Art deco necklace in green bakelite and chrome; £20, Butler & Wilson, 189 Fulham Road, SW3

Photographed by Terence Donovan. Scanned by Miss Peelpants from Harpers and Queen, January 1976.

Inspirational Images: Window dressing

1970s, Gloves, hats, Inspirational Images, lace, Martin Riedl, maxis

Photographed by Martin Riedl. Undated, c.1970s.

Scanned by Miss Peelpants from Successful Colour Photography, 1981.

Inspirational Editorials: Pin-up Parade

19 magazine, 1970s, biba, british boutique movement, Inspirational Images, james wedge, Marks and Spencer, miss mouse, swimwear, Wiki

Swimsuit with cigarette packet print by Miss Mouse. Hat from a selection at Nostalgia. Black suede stilettos from Biba.

I have waxed lyrical on the wonders of James Wedge many times before. I’ve even waxed lyrical specifically on the subject of his version of pin-up photography and how it is vastly superior to the current swathe of poorly executed pin-up and burlesque photography. So I need not repeat myself too much. Suffice it to say, this man was looking backwards to a mere twenty/thirty years beforehand, at a time when this was still all generally considered to be rather naff and – also – an affront to the cause of feminism. He was creating images like this, in his darkroom. By hand. By trial and error. No going back if you cock it all up. No ‘vintage’ movement to motivate him. I certainly consider him to be more artist than mere fashion photographer.

Photographed (and hand-painted) by James Wedge. Scanned by Miss Peelpants from 19 Magazine, May 1974.

Swimsuit by Wiki. Swansdown powder-puff from Biba.

Swimsuit by Wiki. Red flower from Biba.

Red and white top with matching shorts by Miss Mouse. Towelling beach tobe from Marks and Spencer.

Inspirational Make-Up: Gemini

19 magazine, 1970s, China Rice, Eric Howard, Hair and make-up, Inspirational Images, Make-up

The skill and impact of good make-up artistry never ceases to amaze and move me.

Make-up designed and applied by China Rice. Photographed by Eric Howard.

Scanned by Miss Peelpants from 19 Magazine, June 1973

Inspirational Editorials: The Fairest of Them All

1970s, annacat, biba, caroline baker, chelsea cobbler, Gina Fratini, Inspirational Images, jean muir, jean-loup sieff, nova magazine, Vintage Editorials

Dress by Jean Muir

Impossibly beautiful editorial, even if it is touching on the rather unpleasant subject of narcissism. There are a few images from this which have been reproduced many times, but these others less so – so I thought I would give them a well-deserved airing here.

Photographed by Jeanloup Sieff. Styled by Caroline Baker. Make-up and nails by Biba.

Scanned by Miss Peelpants from Nova, March 1972

Sun top (matching trousers not shown) and headress by Gina Fratini

Blouse by Annacat. Shoes by Chelsea Cobbler.

Tunic and knee-length skirt by Zandra Rhodes

Tunic and shorts by Gina Fratini

Chiffon dress with matching short bloomer-knickers by Jean Muir

Inspirational Images: Gallery

1970s, Gina Fratini, Inspirational Images, John Hedgecoe

Photographed by John Hedgecoe. Date unknown (book published 1976).

The dress looks like it could be Gina Fratini but is uncredited in this book.

Scanned by Miss Peelpants from The Book of Photography by John Hedgecoe.

21 Days in Soho

1970s, album covers, Duran Duran, Inspirational Images, interesting record sleeves, Mick Rock, Noelle, Richard Myhill, The Last Resort

Richard Myhill – 21 Days in Soho (1975)

With a cover like that, and songs such as “Lazy Lady” (Never operational til the sun has left the sky) and “Backstage Judy” (You look hot but you’re cucumber cool), how could I resist?

Sleeve design, photography etc by Mick Rock. Styling by Sheila. Legs by Noelle. Shot at The Last Resort restaurant, Fulham Road, London. Thanks to Sue Machin for making the kimono with amazing speed.

Scanned by Miss Peelpants.

It Takes Two To Tango (1978) was Myhill’s biggest UK hit, and he later worked with my beloved Durans on some of my favourite songs (including Tel Aviv and My Own Way)