Peggy Moffit - Mod Monday

Since it's 'MOD Monday' thought we'd have a groovy little flash back and rap a bit about Peggy Moffit.  Peggy was a California native born in 1939 who was known best for her unique look when she came on the fashion scene in the 60's, after initially pursuing a career in acting.  She became a fave of the late German designer Rudi Gernreich and as soon as she became one of his models, her personal signature style was born.  The Peggy Moffit look was all about false eyelashes & overly dramatic heavy eye makeup.  Her one of a kind, asymmetrical hairstyle created for her by Vidal Sassoon became known as the 'five point' and at the time, was being duplicated by stylists the world over...

Gernreich and Moffitt became a scandalous duo when Gernreich designed the infamous 'topless bikini' dubbed the 'monokini' and Moffitt was photographed in it shortly thereafter!  This bold fashion statement on Moffit's part pushed her to model star status being that she was pretty ballsy and one of few that would go that far at that time.

 Gernreich and Moffitt's relationship as designer and muse evolved to that of business partners as it wasn't soon after the monokini shoot she was collaborating with him on styles.

They maintained their formidable partnership well up until Gernreich passed in 1985 at which time she held the trademark to his label name and designs. In 99' she allowed his vintage designs to be put on display in an art exhibition & within the same year she released a book chornicaling them.

  In 2003, Peggy Moffitt released her own line which was a series of tee's with her image on them but hasn't produced much since...nontheless, I give this 'MOD Mama' mad props for maintaining longevity in the unforgiving world of fashion!  On the flip side however, after seeing a recent photo of her with Raquel Welch at the Neiman Marcus Beverly Hills Fashion Show, I think she's traveling in some kind of time warp and in need of a serious 60's addiction intervention because seriously...I cannot believe she's held onto that do, that makeup and those lashes for over forty years!  It totally worked for her then...but um yeah...not so much now
 

  makeupbeat.com , sixtiescity.com , members.tripod.com , fashionindie.com , fiftiesweb.com , 1.bp.blogspot.com , zimbio.com , quietes-vous.net 

MOD Monday - GO GO Girl Sandy Sarjeant

The mod culture born out of the 60's, pretty much originated in London and the U.S., however it migrated to Germany soon after.  Popular everywhere was the rise of GO GO dancing that followed the mod fashion craze.  GO GO dancers, unlike strippers, kept their clothes on and entertained the crowds by gyrating to the hip beats.  Initially originating from New York, the idea of GO GO dancing arose from female patrons at the city's famed Peppermint Lounge, getting up on the tables and dancing.  This in turn led to nightclub owners hiring dancers to promote their own clubs.  By no doubt, in regards to styles that came from this vintage era, GO GO boots were #1!  I'm always interested in learning new stuff be it about people, places or things in general and I happened to stumble upon Sandy Sarjeant who was the ultimate mod mama in her time.  There isn't really too much information on her other than the fact that she was from Germany, was a singer & gained her popularity from her mad GO GO dancing skills & fancy footwork. Sarjeant put out a hit song in her country, titled 'Can't Stop The Want' that never gained popularity here in the states.  the YOUTUBE vid of her performing it is a hoot as she seems to be channeling James Brown!

                        
***Stop by the shop today and check out our cool selection of MOD 60's GO GO Boots!***


pics: tumblr.com, myspace.com, youtube.com

MOD Monday - Missoni For Target Collection

The Italian fashion house Missoni, famous for it's colorful patterns and unique knitwear is reaching out to us 'common folk' and creating a collection exclusively for Target.  Missoni has been around since 1953 and was most definitely trend worthy in the 60's with it's flair for geometric chevron & striped prints, as well as bold florals.  These pricey designs that hail from Varese, are going mainstream and quite affordable as we will be seeing pieces ranging from $19.99 to $54.99 at the popular retail store, that are all set to go for this Fall 2011. 

Their clothing styles are definitely staying true to the vintage MOD vibe that captured the essence of the 1960's proving that everything in regards to fashion revolves back around decades after they were once popular.  My question is... "Will today's youth opt for this overtly edgy fashion fare?"  I'm thinking probably not and that this will be more revered by the late 30's to 40 something crowd, because these pieces are definitely in the same form as they were over forty years ago as pictured here in this vintage Missoni swimwear ad...  

The dish is that there has been a limited supply since they hit the stores on September 13th and once they're gone, they're gone so you can either purchase them direct or online until October 13th.  

I love all things MOD however, I'm not quite sure that I would personally go to this extreme with the pairings shown above.  In my opinion, I would worry that someone would mistake me as dressing up for Halloween as a hippie or a character from the Austin Powers flick ya know? Maybe one or two Missoni accessories would suffice, but as a whole, these styles are just too busy for my taste!   


pics: ladychirpsalot.com, thebohemianluxelife.com, maggiemaggio.com, missoni.com

Vintage Mod Bohemian Faux Fur Making A Comeback

When the cooler weather approaches, it's our nature to want to get into a cozy comfort zone.  This Fall & Winter 2011, the vintage fuzzy fashions of soft faux fur that were once popular with the 'Mod Bohemian' crowd, are making a comeback for a season of cuddly chic. Sonny & Cher were instrumental in bringing faux fur into the limelight in the 60's.

Also called fun fur, fake fur and most recently faux fur, this material usually made from synthetic fibers to mimic the look and feel of fur has been available since the 1950's.  Since then, it's popularity has soared with animal rights activists because it's an animal friendly alternative. The downside to faux fur is that they are made from synthetic fibers which when produced are not very environmentally friendly.  Meaning they aren't biodegradable and come from non-renewable resources.  You know there's always going to be the 'pros & cons'.

Just because it's going to be cold outside doesn't mean that we have to dress like lumberjacks!  Faux fur is the ticket for being trendy and warm.  Ranging in an assortment of complimentary accessories as well, from hats to bags and boots. It's such an easy look to throw together but make sure to keep it simple with solids as pairing too many prints with fur can make your outfit appear too busy.

Always keep in mind you want to complement, not overpower... Faux fur is such a simple way to add an element of texture to an otherwise drab outfit.
Also take heed to making sure you bypass looking like a cave woman (meaning make sure your faux fur isn't bulky over over sized).  For instance this what appears to be honey fox faux worn by Kelly Rowland is a fashion 'no-no' because there's just too much going on!

This pairing worn by socialite Kim Kardashian is the right way to faux...simple yet classic.

*You can totally get into your comfort zone this season and stay stylish as well by splurging on some very affordable faux fur. 


pics: listal.com, blog.loehmanns.com, osochic.com, refinery29.com, fashiongrail.com, dailymail.co.uk 

MOD Monday - 'That Girl'

I was thinking today about how much television has changed over the decades in regards to the new ratings standards & then I remembered a popular wholesome television show that ran for about five years from the mid sixties to the early seventies called 'That Girl'.  'That Girl' starred the then, up and coming actress Marlo Thomas.  Thomas was born in Detroit in 1937 and is the daughter of the late comedian Danny Thomas who is well known for being the founder of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.  Marlo has kept her father's legacy of 'hope' alive as she has continued on as national outreach director.   

Thomas' career fell into place easily because of her father's rapport in the business, starting out in small roles and then making her own mark when she got the lead role on the popular, now vintage sitcom.  Ironically, life was imitating art or the other way around maybe, because the plot was based on the life of an aspiring actress who moves from her small hometown to make it in the big city. To many, Marlo Thomas is considered to rank up there with the top 10 fashion icons of the 60's.  From her signature flip hair style, to the bold geometric, colorful fashions she wore that inspired a generation, she was the ultimate 'girl next door' who made being smart, funny & beautiful admirable.  

In a sense, Thomas was instrumental in moving women towards the future of 'doing it for themselves' so to speak as her character Ann Marie in the show, was a young woman who graduated from college, didn't rush into getting married and having children, but rather moved away from home to live on her own and pursue her own career goals.  Looking back in retrospect, I wonder if Candace Bushnell who wrote 'Sex In The City', used Thomas' character in 'That Girl' as her muse? Or is it just a coincidence that Carrie Bradshaw & Ann Marie were both trend setting clothes horses, living in New York City?  Things that make you go Mmm? I'm pretty sure she would never fess up to it, but makes you think doesn't it?

Now in her early 70's, Marlo mostly continues to work with St. Jude but hasn't really done any acting in over a decade.  Active in fundraising for the children's cancer charity, she continues to donate all proceeds from her book, 'Thanks & Giving: All Year Long' to the hospital that offers support to gravely ill kids who otherwise couldn't afford treatment.

pics: paperplanesandmaryjanes.com, rdujour.com, tarkus-magicmac.blogspot.com, webtvwire.com, lateblooms.com, fanpix.net, singbookswithemily.wordpress.com, beautyandthebudget.onsugar.com

Fashion In Film Friday - Pulp Fiction

The film Pulp Fiction, that revived John Travolta's career and put him back on the list of Hollywood's leading men, was released in 1994 and has since become a cult classic.  Directed by the infamous Quentin Tarantino, the movie has several stories within the main plot that centers around two hit men, Vincent Vega & Jules Winnfield played by Travolta & Samuel L. Jackson.

Fashion becomes a part of the films allure when in walks Mia Wallace, as portrayed by actress Uma Thurman.  Thurman's character in the film is the classy coked up wife of a high profile mobster/loan shark.  Mia's style is a cross between the vintage bad girls of the 50's & 60's, peppered with a touch of MOD.  The black flared clam diggers paired with a simple tailored white shirt (tunic length), finished off appropriately with ballerina flats was sheer perfection in regards to the costume designs that gave this move it's retro vibe.

This is such an absolutely easy look to obtain because it's basically an effortless, yet timeless style.  So whether you opt to shop at high end department stores such as Neiman Marcus or Saxs Fifth Avenue or scale it down a bit to Macy's or Nordstrom, you're sure to find your 'Mia inspired outfit'.  

PICS: MOVIEGOODS.COM, NYDAILYNEWS.COM, FASHIONFUNHOUSEIMPOUN.CO, POLYVORE.COM           

MOD Monday - Jackie Kennedy

Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis was the wife of our 35th President, JFK.   Born in New York, she went on to serve as 'First Lady' from 1961 until Kennedy's assassination in 1963.  Being frequent in the public eye, she always maintained an air of style and grace with her personal fashion choices.  The infamous double breasted, strawberry pink with navy trim, Chanel wool skirt suit she wore on November 22nd 1963, quickly pushed her to fashion icon for the 60's status and became a symbol of the era that everyone remembers her for.

Current First Lady, Michelle Obama is obviously fond of her predecessors vintage style as she was a sure fire fashion doppelganger in the Maria Pinto, pink tweed suit that absolutely channeled Jackie O's signature 60's design.

The late Princess Diana, was even on board with this style as Gianni Versace designed for her, his version of Kennedy's two piece pink suit.

As recent as 2008, the Jackie Kennedy inspired look continues to inspire designers as Princess Maxima of the Netherlands was seen wearing this timeless style...

Since the 60's there have been many variations and alterations to the original cut of this popular suit however, there will always only be the 'one' worn by Jackie.  It has been said that at the request of her daughter the dress not be displayed and understandably so with all due respect to the dismal history behind the garment...  


pics: flickr.com, refugeesunleashed.net, suite101.com, buzznet.com, thesweet7.com

MOD Monday - Barbara Feldon

Everyone except for the new generation, more than likely remembers the comedy sitcom of the 60's 'Get Smart' starring Barbara Feldon as Agent 99, the sidekick to government intelligence agent Maxwell Smart.   

Not everyone knows however, that prior to landing her gig on the show, Feldon had a successful career appearing in commercials and even did a brief stint with modeling.  She appeared in Vogue and of course on several covers of the then popular TV Guide magazine.   

Because of the cult status of the now in syndication television series, Feldon is more well known for having been a pop culture icon of the 60's than she was for her various other credentials.  The eccentric artist of that era, Andy Warhol, immortalized her on canvas when he did a pop art quad portrait of her as well as a few other silk screens in 1965. Back then, if Warhol wanted to paint you, you were definitely in with the 'in crowd'.

pics:bessgeorgette.com, ferdyonfilms.com,thesixtiesbeatblog.com,ebay.com, tumblr.com

Hive Jive

It was called 'the bouffant, the up-do & the B52', but the beehive that originated in Chicago in 1960 was the true definition of the 'big hair' fad that caught on like wild fire and gained world wide appeal.  The overly back combed, overly aqua netted style, was named the 'beehive' because it actually looks like a hive, or a nest of some sorts.  It's been said that part of the allure of the style is that it added the illusion of height to the wearer.  I know the history of the hive first hand as my mother who grew up in that era told me she sported the style when she was 16.  She said..."The higher the hive, the cooler you were considered to be".  The first girl group to get on board with this style was 'The Ronettes' but the trend lasted through to the late 70's with the emergence of the pop culture iconic group 'The B52's', as band members Kate Pierson & Cindy Wilson rocked their own retro version of the boof.

Well into the 80's it continued to trail blaze & continued to be re-popularized, especially after the cult John Waters film, 'Hair Spray' starring drag queen Divine & Ricky Lake was released, & over dramatized the 'do' to the hilt! & it made it's way back again with a re do of the popular movie from the same script starring John Travolta in drag & newcomer Nikki Blonsky in 2007.

In 2006, Amy Whinehouse stepped on the music scene with her signature style which was soon to be emulated by her female followers.  Her hair was what she was known for aside from her amazing other worldly vocal abilities. It was stated that her poof measured close to a half of a foot high!  In her whole career regardless of her state of being, you never saw her minus the hair-do.  She was quoted as saying ...  "My hair is always on point, even if the rest of me is really naff." 

This vintage hairstyle just seems to keep evolving but has definitely come along way from it's beginnings when it was originally created by Margaret Vinci Heldt, winner of the 1954 National Coiffure Championship.

This variation of the style won an award at a British hairstyling competition in 2010 which is sheer proof that in years to come we're just going to keep seeing the style moving into new and exciting directions!

pics: fogcityvintageandsuch.com, ginavivinetto.wordpress.com, threadforethought.net, moviesabout.com, begoths.com, ukhairdressers.com, projects.accessatlanta.com, latinasgallery.com

The Summer Of Love - June 1967

Forty four years ago, in June of 1967, over 100,000 people migrated to the Haight-Ashbury neighborhood of San Francisco in what was known as a 'hippie rebellion'.  Many young people traveled from across the world to be a part of this event which promised them the opportunity to cast off social conservatism & experiment openly without reprecussions, basically in the areas of psychotropics, free love (i.e. promiscuous sex) and of course rock n' roll!  There was no formal advertisement for this gathering, it all came together by word of mouth that spanned a huge distance and diversity of individuals.  The most positive thing that arose from this was the idea of 'unity, love & acceptance' for all of humanity...That's the part I like best! 

I know some of the history of 'The Summer Of Love' first hand because of my now reformed, once die hard hippie, Uncle Noel who said it was given the name to offset the negative impression the media was pushing for, of it being a drug infused, hairy hippie orgy.  Of course, for all intents and purposes it pretty much was exactly just that, no matter how much they attempted to sugar coat it!...   

A fashion trend arose from this decade called 'bohemian' which is a combination of the anything goes style of the hippie movement sprinkled with a little bit of nomad and topped off with a pinch of free spirited gypsy.  This vintage style will never be out of style as it has lasted the span of four decades having not changed very much from the beginning of its origin.  The allure is that the wearer does not conform to the norms of fashion or society for that matter and in turn to some extent becomes a 'rebel'... Boho-Chic entails everything colorful, flowing, comfortable & can even incorporate mix matched prints into style choices.  It's the same now as it was then and is absolutely one of the most simple trends to keep up with because it never really changes...

Of all the eras of clothing I personally find appealing, I'm all about the Mod early 60's thru to the late vintage Hippie 60's to early 70's because of the non-comformity of the fashions.  What is your favorite style era?


: bellasugar.com , imeanwhat.com , bohoblindness.blospot.com , katsville.wordpress.com , liberallifestyles.com , dannymiller.typepad.com , hubpages.com , umodels.com

MOD Monday

The 60's will always be known for its designing styles that included the shapeless shifts & geometric prints.  The 'mod movement' originated in London and caught on quickly in the states.  Not everyone knows this, but mod fashion was hugely inspired by pop art.  I thought it would be fun to post some fashion advertisements from the Mod era of the 1960's. 


This is an ad for Tangee lipstick from 1960 which from first glance would have the reader assuming it was an ad for clothing!

Dolly Talk eye shadow circa 1960

Irazu Airlines...Love the mod stewardess uniforms!



Junior Bazaar magazine always featured the most current fashion trends...

The vintage 60's was the dawn of the bikini, go go boots, psychedelic prints and mismatched colors.  It was the decade of the biggest shift in design trends...


: urbanmodernista.com , sewsixties.blogspot.com  , tumblr.com , wikipedia.org