Eyes on the Sixties

The 1960's makeup seemed to always focused on the eyes; and not only created the illusion of bigger eyes but also beautiful. While the rest of the face was kept more soft and natural the standard eyes with makeup became exotic, exaggerated and elegant eyes.

Vintage Natalie Wood, 1961

These pants are just to cute! The design and colors makes a serious statement!

The Supremes: Style Off Stage

Not only did these ladies look good on stage but they also dressed incredibly beautiful off stage, always stylish and well coordinated - need it be for a promotional shoot, going too and from the airport or just out and about enjoying themselves -they always looked fashionable.

MOD and Cute 

Glamorous and Serious! 

Casual but stylish!

 Sweet and classy!

 Chic and Sassy!

Rock Star Look: 1960’s Style Vibe

I really appreciate these guys fashion choices - I think they appealed to both guys and gals. Both Mick Jagger and John Lennon are the product of the 1960's fashion icons.

Belinda Bellville: Society Dressmaker

Belinda Bellville is world renowned for her stylish dress designs, and as co-founder with David Sassoon of Britain’s foremost couture label "Bellville Sassoon".

Born in Leicestershire, the eldest of three children, Belinda had a traditional upbringing being educated initially by a governess in Wales and then at the girls school “Miss Faunces”. There was no opportunity for design qualifications in the 1930's and 1940's, however Belinda remained determined to design clothes. With no formal training, but as a former debutante, she knew the social circles she needed to attract. In 1953 she created the label "Bellville et Cie" and dressed young women and their fashionable mothers at every ball, party and society event of note.

Then in 1958 she met David Sassoon at the Royal College of Art. David brought experience of pattern cutting, as well as expert technical know-how in the  creation of women’s clothing. Together they went on to perfect what she had started. They developed an ever-changing collection of wonderfully glamorous couture dresses, bridal wear and a ready-to-wear collection, as well as a successful licensing relationship with Vogue Patterns.

Belinda Bellville with model - Photo by John Young

The 1960's and 1970's saw a whole host of glamorous women wear Belinda and David's clothes, including many members of the royal family, Jackie Kennedy, Elizabeth Taylor, Audrey Hepburn, and Catherine Deneuve. By the end of the decade, a survey showed that Bellville et Cie had made more society wedding dresses over the past 30 years than any other couture house. In 1970 David was made partner and the name was changed to "Bellville Sassoon", they now had a staff of over 100. The business continued to prosper through the 1970s. (Text taken from: http://www.holkham.co.uk/downloads/glamour_gowns_2013.pdf)

The yellow kimono above designed by Belinda Bellville featured in Vogue UK June 1968 issue and blossoms with dragon flowers and green vines, wide trousers that touches down to the floor and the most amazing sleeves you ever seen. 

AVAILABLE ON WEBSITE: Vintage Lilli Ann Pants Suit

Fabulous 1960's knit suit in butter yellow. Jacket is beautifully decorated with beaded
designs around collar/lapel, cuffs and pockets

Available on Website: Vintage Floral Dress Set

This is a beautiful outfit made of a silk blend. The colors are fabulous and features magenta, pink, blue and green floral print on a midnight blue background.

Style Icon: Phyllis Diller

Comedian Phyllis Diller one of my favorite fashion icons from the fabulous 1950's and 1960's; she was funny, outrageous and classy at the same time. Her outfits which consisted of floral dresses, fur coats, chiffon blouses and eccentric sequined gowns were over-the-top gorgeous. More amazing were her collection of flamboyant and stylish hats.

MOD At It's Best

Ray Davies of THE KINKS, 1967

Another example of a great retro look! This shirt crisp look is so fresh and the combination of color and psychedelic design makes it an amazing vintage piece

Available on Website ....1960's Full Length Black Wool Cape

.....vintage plus-size cape with side slit openings for the arms, attached scarf at the neck and fully lined in silky blue/purple colored silky fabric.

Fabric Finesse

Fabric designs can be so mesmerizing and depending on the texture can grab my attention like a piece of art in a museum. Starting with the French Court garments from the seventeen and eighteenth centuries; the fabrics often embellished with oriental plants, floral motifs, or exotic animals are so appealing. I am amazed by the extravagant and exclusive high-quality damask, brocade, velvet, silk and satin fabrics and the metallic lace trimmings detailing these elaborate clothes.

Coat and waistcoat worn by Peter II, 1727–1730
Made from silk velvet and silk taffeta with silver embroidery
Victoria and Albert Museum

Dolce & Gabbana Fall 2012 Milan collection

The elegant and fine workmanship has flourished into today's modern fashion world. Not only did the rediscovery of fashion made from exotic textiles drape rock and roll stars from the 1960's, the 17th-century style was the inspiration for a number of designers who used rich fabrics and elaborate ornamentation for their runway collections.

The Isley Brothers 1969 "It's Our Thing" album cover

                                Marchesa Fall 2013 collection                      Dolce & Gabbana Fall/Winter 2012 collection

Musician Dave Davies 1967 Album Cover photo

Caught in the Moment: Black And White Photos

There's something about images shot in black and white. Not only are they beautiful, but without the color distraction your eyes are quickly drawn too the person's frozen expression at that moment and the truth of who they are comes through. I just can't imagine getting the same feeling looking at black and white images by great photographers like Gordon Parks, Bert Stern, Vivian Maier if they were taken in color.

Edith Head and Gloria Swanson at the premiere of Sunset Boulevard, 1950

Ella Fitzgerald and Marilyn Monroe at the Hollywood’s Tiffany Club, 1955

1960's Dancing Beauty

Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr. and Frank Sinatra at New York Carnegie Hall, 1961

Edie Sedgwick, circa 1960's

Jackie Kennedy, circa 1960's