MOD Monday - Pattie Boyd

What does the Beatles George Harrison & Eric Clapton have in common?  They both have the same ex wife and her name is Patricia Boyd otherwise known as 'Pattie Boyd'.  She was an English model & photographer, who obviously like most models had a 'thing' for musicians.  Her career as a model landed her in London and Paris in spite of the fact that she had prominent front teeth & what was considered to be unconventional looks.  Have any of you ever caught an episode of 'America's Next Top Model'? Those women vying for the title are anything but the girl next door and I have honestly thought to myself, "How in the H are they competing on this show?"  Anyhow things have changed over the decades, that's for sure as we are seeing everything 'but' the norm when it comes to what is considered conventionally beautiful...  

In the mid sixties, Pattie Boyd was fresh on the MOD scene making a name for herself in spite of what was considered a flaw with her protruding teeth.

Boyd is said to have been the muse behind the music of Eric Clapton's hit love song, 'Wonderful Tonight' and his catchy tune 'Layla'.  Unfortunately the demise of her marriage to Clapton was due in part to them both having issues with drugs and alcohol which makes their story totally cliche unfortunately and in 2007, she wrote a biographical type book that chronicled her journey with both Harrison & Clapton.

Just this past July 2011, Boyd hosted a photography exhibit of her work titled 'Yesterday and Today: The Beatles and Eric Clapton as Photographed by Pattie Boyd'. 


With George Harrison...

With Eric Clapton...

pics: article.wn.com, bigother.com, members.fortunecity.com, likeamuse.com, outdailyfashion.wordpress.com, whosdatedwho.com

     

Beyonce Rocks It Audrey Hepburn Style In Her Latest Video

Seems these days, celebrities abound are into the vintage Audrey Hepburn style when it comes to creating a buzz.  For instance, last week I blogged about how Anna Faris and Lady Gaga were seen out on the town last weekend, both wearing the same Hepburn inspired little black dress and now this week, we've seen a little sneak peek of pop singer Beyonce's new single titled "Countdown".

In one segment, the music video features her duping the vintage style of Hepburn to a tee.  She's a complete doppelganger replicating the dance moves, the classic black turtleneck & slacks and even the up-do that she sported in the 1954 film classic, "Funny Face" that Audrey co-starred in, along side Fred Astaire.

This particular style and dance was even incorporated into a GAP commercial promoting skinny black pants back in 2007, with music by the rock band ACDC's 'Back In Black' as the backdrop.  This advertising stint was brilliant!

   
pics: blog.postcardgallery.com, dotfranny.blogspot.com, urbanlook.org, fashionbombdaily.com, swayreport.blogspot.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

Spotlight Saturday - Paula Abdul

Paula Abdul is in the spotlight today rocking the late 40's and looking better than ever.  She was seen at the first round of Fox's, The X Factor where she'll be co-judging with Simon Cowell this Fall.  She looked totally fab in a draped purple Yves St. Laurent asymmetrical hemmed mini dress and matching YSL sandals.  Abdul has definitely restructured her reputation and recovered from the bad rap she's had during the course of the past decade for her alleged drug addiction.  Back in 2007 she made a poor decision by agreeing to do a reality show on Bravo which portrayed her as a needy berating diva who relied on everyone for everything.  I don't think I'll ever understand why celebrities with so much star power feel the need to live their lives in a fish bowl? 

: tinseltown-style.blogspot.com , lwdress.blogspot.com