Thought I’d kick off the morning with this stunning shot by Norman Wilkinson. The famed British portrait and fashion photographer worked for both Harper’s Bazaar and Vogue during his long, accomplished career behind the lens. Though he was known for bringing his beautiful subjects out of the studio and onto London’s bustling streets, this particular indoor shot caught my eye. We can’t tell if she’s laughing or crying, just that she’s positively lovely.
The lastest issue of Fantastic Man magazine contains these Juergen Teller photographs of Hamish Bowles (Vogue’s European Editor at Large) in his spectacular Upper East Side apartment. I am dying to get my hands on a copy. Such style!
Who are your style muses (past or present) my darling readers? I love new names and faces…of course, familiar ones are more than welcome too! After Mr. Bowles above, some of my other favorite creative souls are Diana Vreeland, Miles Redd, Maira Kalman, Kate and Andy Spade… Now your turn!
(images found here)
Do you ever wish you could travel back in time? That’s how I felt when I first laid eyes on this 1920′s photograph by Edward Steichen. As chief photographer for Condé Nast from 1923 to 1938 Steichen shot some of the era’s most glamorous images. This picture of four models on a yacht was published in the July 15, 1928 issue of Vogue. Prints are available at The Condé Nast Store.
I’ve been fantasizing about this antique diamond-and-conch-pearl ring ever since I spotted it in the pages of Vogue a few years back. It’s from Fred Leighton in New York and I’m sure it sold in a matter of seconds. I dream of someday finding another just like it at auction or better yet, for a complete steal in a dingy old antique shop. I know, keep dreaming…and you know what? I will.
I nearly died when I first visited the website Paper Pursuits and if we have anything in common, you will too. A treasure trove of vintage magazines, books and advertisements from the early 20th century to the present day, the site is brimming with stunning images from a lost age. The colors and poses on the vintage covers, particularly those between 1900-1950, are absolutely captivating! When did fashion magazines ditch these creative covers with their fun, intriguing story-lines in favor of a bunch of repetitive, dull close-ups? If I were the magazine editor today I would look back to the early archives for some inspiration. After all, when did you last see a magazine cover that rivaled the red-head above in her sparkling blue hat? If ever, it was a very long time ago…
All these magazines are on sale on Paper Pursuits and range anywhere from $12 to the hundreds. As if the covers don’t sell themselves, the site also provides a detailed description of each magazine’s condition, contents, models, and photographers (many include the greats—Penn, Beaton, Stern, Avedon, etc.). Some even include photographs of the contents inside (see below). Doesn’t the blue, green and checkerboard cover above remind you a bit of Domino? What a wonderful birthday gift these would make for a fashionable friend!
(All images courtesy of Paper Pursuits)