Model Moment: Beverly Johnson

It was photographer Francesco Scavullo who immortalized model Beverly Johnson with a history-making Vogue cover in August 1974. It was Johnson’s first for the magazine—and, more to the point, the first time a black woman had ever taken that prized position.

Cosmopolitan March 1981

Photographed by Irving Penn, 1973

Johnson was born and raised in a middle class household in Buffalo, New York. After graduating high school in 1969, she left Buffalo to enroll at Northeastern University in Boston, planning to become a lawyer. With the encouragement of friends she set out for Manhattan to pursue a career in fashion. Soon after a insider got her an interview at Glamour to meet with editors and by the end of the day she had her first assignment. Still, despite having booked a glamorous ten-page spread, Johnson was rejected by every modeling agency she approached. So she opted for plan B: working as a salesgirl by day at a Manhattan store called Jax and taking classes at Brooklyn College at night.

Glamour called back, and Vogue, too. Soon, Beverly Johnson was appearing in fashion portfolios shot by Patrick Demarchelier and Irving Penn. These pages caught the attention of Eileen Ford of Ford Modeling Agency. Johnson quickly became nothing less than a defining face of the seventies, appearing on the front of more than 500 magazines, including Glamour, Cosmopolitan, and French Elle, in addition to Vogue. As one of the highest-paid models in the world, she transcended racial barriers with her work on the runway for Halston, Yves Saint Laurent,Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein, and Valentino. For more on Beverly Johnson check out http://www.vogue.com/voguepedia/Beverly_Johnson

U. S. Vogue, February 1975

circa 1970's

Backs Makes A Statement

I am so mesmerized when it comes to the detailing and design on the back of a dress; I don't get the same WOW factor if a similar design was on the front. There's something about the back of a dress that has a lot of drama going on; it gives a more sexiness feel to it and a high-end look. The front of the dress can be plain and simple with no decoration, but the unique design of the back adds much charm to the dress. It's impossible to not have your back to someone, so why not give them an eye full.

The back of this Christian Dior's organza dress stands out with an accent bow 
and a draped cowl back featured in U.S. Vogue, March 1, 1965 issue

What person could resist tapping  you on the shoulder to see who's wearing this  Balenciaga
 dress with the gathered layers of organza on the back - U.S. Vogue March 15, 1968 

Flower applique blossoms over embroidered organza and caught with a water-green sash 
tied into a bow-knot beneath the bare back by George Halley, 1968

Very sleek and simple dress by Nina Ricci! The line of buttons and decorative flaps at the 
back waist adds to its elegance - Photo Philippe Pottie, 1955

 Raspberry-red organza dress adorned with sparkling jeweled and a embroidery
design framing the oval shaped back by Sarmi, 1969

1952 Heller Jersey Dress Ad

Dress by Pierre Balmain back decorated with a row of buttons, a tired-bow 
attached to a accordion-pleated skirt - Photo by Georges Saad, 1954

Diamond chains elegantly attached to the back of this Bill Blass dress for Maurice Rentner
U. S. Vogue February 1,1968

Designer Thea Porter

Dressed featured in the April 1970 issue of Vogue UK

Thea Porter, one of the earliest among British fashion designers who rode hippie chic to high visibility. She made and sold clothes whose inspiration was drawn from her far-ranging travels and a childhood spent as the half-French, half-English daughter of a missionary posted to the Middle East. She also dressed Elizabeth Taylor, put the socialite Dalitha Getty in caftans and created Symbolist-inspired costumes for a perpetual party centered on the Rolling Stones and their newly made friends from the British aristocracy.

For more information on this incredible designer check out: http://www.nytimes.com/2000/07/27/arts/thea-porter-72-dressed-the-elite-of-the-60-s-in-hippie-chic.html

Lights on Lace

Brown Chantilly shift dress by Pat Sander showing arms through lace
 sleeves and a bared back, Vogue November 1965

Pierre Cardin angel-robe pleated short evening dress in tangerine lace, Vogue November 1965

Oscar de la Renta Spring 2011 Silk Voile and Lace Embroidered Dress

Christian Dior-London full lace dress with full sleeves tied with stiff bows, UK Vogue October 1967

Lolitta Summer 2014/2015 collection

Audrey Hepburn in the 1966 film "How to Steal a Million" 
wearing a Givenchy black Chantilly lace dress

Oscar de la Renta black lace dress, Spring 2010 

Elsie Maraventano Designs

Vogue March 1, 1966 Fashion Advertisement

Flirt With Ruffles

Nightwear has never been so prettier .... Tiers and tiers of ruffled wide-legged pants with matching V-neck sleeveless bolero top pajama set by Beau-Sure featured in the November 15, 1965 issue of U.S. Vogue.

Sixties Shoe Explosion

Strapped, Tied, Buckled or Buttoned - Due to the array of styles, it’s hard to describe a distinct look for 1960's footwear; all pretty and practical. Some child-like but elegant, flat, stack-heel, the kitten heel, sling- backs, and some decorated with jewels and stones. And to bring more attention to those lovely shoes; you would throw on fishnet, lace stockings or some colorful opaque tights to complete the look.

                  Jeweled evening shoes by Luini                                      Shoes by Pedro Garcia

Strapped sling sandal by Delman, Vogue, August 1965 

Shoes by Herbert Levine, Vogue UK, March 1967

A Family Affair: The Van Raalte Company

Brothers Emanuel and Zealie Van Raalte in 1907, established the E & Z Van Raalte Company in New York City. In 1910, in Paterson, New Jersey, they established the first American veil-producing factory. The business became so successful that by 1920 it was the largest silk-veiling and net factory in the world and branched out to manufacture and sell silk jersey cloth, gloves, underwear, and hosiery. By 1920, they had 12 factories throughout New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania and sold its products through all of the upscale department stores of the day and they became known for their high level of quality. 

Van Raalte 1953 lingerie Ad

Veruschka posing in a Van Raalte blue silk and black lace ribbon chemise
 Vogue, September 1965

Van Raalt 1954 lingerie Ad

Van Raalte 1959 lingerie Ad

Van Raalte 1954 stocking Ad

A Touch of Class

Vogue, March 15, 1965

What a great accessory created by costume jewelry designer Miriam Haskell! A single tassel of rhinestones clipped to the ear-top and swoops up over the hair and ends in a little crescent-moon shape comb.

Style Moment: Pierre Cardin

Italian model and actress Elsa Martinelli wearing black leather coat by Pierre Cardin
Vogue Paris, March 1967

Thigh High

How wonderful are these shiny black thigh-high boots stripped with white scrolls
by Delman, Vogue, August 1968

Vintage Beauty Catch

Model Marsha Hunt wearing a Pablo & Delia silver and leather neckband
with blue beads and feathers - Make up by Gala - Vogue, April 1, 1971 

Classic Vogue Cover

March 1, 1961 - Photo by Irving Penn

Model Moment: Christy, Naomi and Linda

In the 1990's, Christy Turlington, Naomi Campbell and Linda Evangelista attained fame and fortune posing for covers of U.S. and International editions of the most famous magazines, walking the runway for top designers and today still talked about and admired years after they first became famous.

Naomi Campbell Vogue UK, April 1988

Linda Evangelista wearing Pucci,Vogue, May 1990 - Photo by Irving Penn

They each have their own unique beauty looking very different from one another and created such an impression on the world of fashion. All so sexy and sophisticated and during the late 1980's and 1990's were considered to be the most famous models of them all. The talent and beauty of these women can never be matched.

Naomi Campbell, U.S. Vogue, June 1993

Linda Evangelista in Chanel - Photo by Irving Penn, Vogue, 1990

Linda  Naom, Polly Mellon and Christy,  circa 1980's

                                         Vogue, July 1986                                    Christy in Channel for Vogue, 1990 - Photo by Irving Penn

Christy, Naomi and Linda on the runway for Anna Sui Spring/Summer 1994 collection

A Fashion Professional: Grace Coddington

Former 60's model and Vogue's Creative Director, Grace Coddington one of many in the fashion industry on my "people I would be honored to meet" list. I've read many articles about her and have seen numerous interviews of her, and when watching live-stream of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week on-line, I can always expect to see this long hair red head sitting front row at the runway shows. When doing my research for this post, I came across fashion photos I had admired in the past not knowing I was glowing over Grace Coddington in her modeling days. 

Grace Coddington at her 2009 "The Catwalk Cats" book signing

In 1968 she joined British Vogue as Junior Fashion Editor until December of 1986. She moved to New York in 1987 to become Design Director for Calvin Klein Collection and in 1988 joined US Vogue as Fashion Director.  In 1995 she was named Creative Director of US Vogue - now in her Seventies - is one of the most respected figures in the fashion industry.

Grace Coddington - Photo by Terence Donovan, 1964

Grace launched her career as a model at the age of 18 until a car accident forced her to have two years of reconstructive surgery. She re-launched her career becoming one of the most successful models of the 1960's. For more on her life check out http://www.vogue.com/voguepedia/Grace_Coddington.

Here modeling for Italian Vogue, 1966

Grace Coddington modeling a lovely wool coat - Photo by John French