Farewell to the best purr in history…..
Posted: December 29, 2008 Filed under: eartha kitt, marilyn monroe 4 Comments »
I really need to stop talking about famous people who are in their twilight years. Firstly I was discussing Harold Pinter on Christmas Eve, then Eartha Kitt on Christmas Day. Either I’m psychic or slightly responsible. Not sure I’m comfortable with either.
Anyway, Pinter was no particularly great icon to me (Though I enjoyed Betrayal at the Donmar recently….Toby Stephens…..mmmm). But Eartha???? I loved Eartha.
She wasn’t even my favourite Catwoman. Although given that she was up against the magnificent Julie “Seven Brides” Newmar in my affections it’s not entirely unexpected. But an LP of her singing Live at Tivoli from my grandparents’ house became regular listening for me when I was younger. I’ve never been crazy about very refined singers, I like my girls to sound a bit breathy and natural. Wobbles in the voice and all (hence the great Marilyn love). Clearly Ms. Kitt was a superior singer to Ms. Monroe, but they both engaged me in a way very few other singers can.
I was also slightly freaked out by how much she actually resembled a cat. But freaked out in an I-think-it’s-awesome kind of way.
So now the great lady has passed away, on Christmas Day of all days, and I’ve remembered how important she was to me a few years ago. I may have to go out and find an album or two to reaquaint myself. Eartha, I salute you! Rowwwwrrrrrrrrr!
Took my own sweet time I know….
Posted: December 15, 2008 Filed under: 1960s, 1970s, aristos, carnaby street, janice wainwright, jeff banks, miss mouse 7 Comments »…but here are some new website listings!! I know you’ll all be so excited you can barely keep upright, right? Probably a bit late for Christmas, but as we all know….Vintage is for life, not just for Christmas Parties.
With a heavy dollop of groupie girl attitude, a rare Carnaby Street original by Aristos
and lastly, some shimmering, sparkly Janice Wainwright magic
Mannequin problems and a little break-let
Posted: December 5, 2008 Filed under: Uncategorized 3 Comments »
Firstly, I’m doing some of my occasional ballet dressing work this Christmas season so I will be around considerably less. The good news is that theatre hours mean I still have time to get to the post office – but I can’t do it at too short notice so please do take this into account if you need something in a hurry. I also always come back from the land of tulle, lacing and general camp decadence re-invigorated and inspired, which is always good news for my website and for my customers.
The bad news is that I will probably be less inclined to blog as much as I’d been managing lately. But once I’ve settled into my new hours, you never know.
The second piece of bad news is that my mannequin decided to take a break herself. The metal rod which holds her up, finally gave up the ghost so I’m currently investigating options for her or for a new manni. I’d rather not have to, I really rather like Odette (so named because I bought her just over four years ago when I was working on Swan Lake at The Albert Hall, the name seemed appropriate for an elegant white thing like her!). I have a few listings in ‘reserve’, so they will go up soon. If I find the time to do any more, they will have to be photographed on my tailors dummy so don’t be surprised if you see her around the site soon.
Theda Bara, showing something approaching my reaction when my mannequin decided to break. Except with more hair-pulling and some fruity language.
Passion For Fashion
Posted: December 2, 2008 Filed under: bill gibb, eye candy, ossie clark, Paco Rabanne, schiaparelli, vivienne westwood 7 Comments »
Patou
Thursday will see Kerry Taylor’s Passion for Fashion auction take place in London. With the cream of couture on display, it’s hard not to drool all over your computer screen. Here are a few Vintage-a-Peel favourite picks, and a tissue to delicately dab away the involuntary dribbling…
Moschino
Ossie Clark
Bill Gibb
Roberto Capucci
Vivienne Westwood
Paco Rabanne
Galanos
Mad Carpentier
Schiaparelli
Augustabernard
Alix (Gres)
In my fantasy world, I’ve won the lottery and all these will belong to me. You may all, of course, come and play dress up in my Italian Palazzo and enjoy a private Duran Duran show. Well…that’s what fantasy worlds are for, are they not?
