Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Breakfast with Bryan Ferry

British singer Bryan Ferry is one of the best dressed performers and musicians, not to forget a talented one also. His style is a perfect example of the classical dandy look, achieved by his bespoke suits.

The lead singer of Roxy Music during the 70s and early 80s shows us that when he's not wearing a suit he is still stylish, as shown below. Having breakfast while on tour in the 80s, Ferry decided to wear a white shirt with some embroided design on the shoulders, along with khakis. Worth noticing is his thin and simple gold watch.


Photo: Flickr

Monday, June 28, 2010

James Dean's Summer minimalism

Summer is a season in which temperatures rise and therefore one has to wear light clothes. A plain white cotton t-shirt is an item that is very versatile since it's not only fresh, but with it's simple design can give an air of elegance and style.

James Dean illustrates the above in this photo where he is wearing a white cotton t-shirt with jeans, probably 501s, a leather watch and a gold ring. One can wear the same ensemble this summer and probably add a pair of black or tortoise Wayfarers, and change the jeans for a pair of bermuda shorts.

Photo: Flickr


Friday, June 25, 2010

Highlights from Milan SS 2011

A couple of days ago Milan Fashion Week took place, and on this occasion several fashion houses and designers presented their collections for Spring Summer 2011. Trends such as double breasted jackets, which were shown earlier this year, continued to be seen on the runway; it seems this Mod staple is back again for sometime. Also one could see items that immediately reminded of "The Great Gatsby" or "A Plein Soleil", the late 60s early 70s Rolling Stones look, a bit of 40s Dandy, and a blend of "Miami Vice" with 2010.




Dolce & Gabbana menswear celebrated its 20th anniversary with a collection made up of many white colored suits, 30s and 50s inspired bathing suit ensembles, colorful jackets, linens; all to the beat of Annie Lennox. Above an outfit that is great to stroll around the Amalfi Coast in Italy or St. Tropez during the Summer.

Corneliani presented a collection that went from "The Great Gatsby" to the 70s with its Safari Jackets (very much like those worn by Yves Saint Laurent).








Ferragamo continued proving why it's one of the best options for suits and elegance. From semi casual to formal dandy this collection was one of my favorites. Above a very Nautical ensemble from Ferragamo, notice the sandals and double breasted jacket which are a trend for this season.Cavalli on the other hand presented us a collection that was inspired by the 70s Rock Scene with simple yet bold pieces such as this white jacket with white jeans and light blue shirt. Something to wear to the club this summer.





Bottega Veneta was groundbreaking with this military/patchwork jacket. And Gucci like always didn't disappoint me with black jackets over black V-neck t-shirts and white pants. Notice how the shoes are worn without socks, afterall it's Summer.

Canali in my opinion was the best collection this time on Milan due to it's very dandy ensembles, that went from the 40s, to 60s Mod to "Miami Vice". Black and brown (in its light shades) played a key part for Canali, along with the Persol sunglasses worn by the models.










Photos: GQ



Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Miami Vice

In the mid and late 80s "Miami Vice" had a huge impact on fashion and pop culture. This TV series' characters, Sony Crockett & Rico Tubbs, portrayed by Don Johnson and Philip Michael Thomas, had two different styles yet one designer, Hugo Boss.

Rico went more for a formal dandy look by wearing double breasted jackets, pin striped suits, dark colored suits, leather jackets, and sometimes he wore some chains as an acessory. While Sony is perhaps the "icon" from this show due to his pastel/white colored suits and jackets paired with pastel t-shirts and Wayfarers; yet in some seasons he wore Carreras.




Photo: Taringa


Monday, June 21, 2010

Summer with The Rolling Stones on Main St.

Summer begins today, and to start it in a stylish manner nothing better than with one of the best Rock bands in history (if not the best, well there's a tie between them & The Beatles), The Rolling Stones. Photographed circa the summer of 1967 or 1968 we can see the Stones wearing from Psychedelic/Paisley print shirts with white trousers, to black suits with Geometric print shirts, or pastel colored jackets & shirts with dark ties.


Worth checking out this Summer is The Rolling Stones' "Exile on Main Street" CD & Documentary. This iconic album recorded in 1971 while the band (Brian Jones shown in the photo below had already passed away) was living in the French Riviera and its surroundings, is considered by many a rock masterpiece. Recently it has been re-released with some additional tracks and a documentary with original footage from the recording sessions. During 2010's Cannes Film Festival Mick Jagger and some of his band mates promoted this documentary which is a must see.




Photo: Flickr

Friday, June 18, 2010

2 Years of Retro Vintage Mod Style

Today's post is dedicated to celebrate the second year of my blog "Retro Vintage Mod Style". First of all I would like to thank my readers for your continuous support and interest throughout these years, it is you who have made this anniversary possible.

On this ocassion I would like to share with all of you a "short film" I made in which we can appreciate some of the best photos featured in the blog during these 2 years; and some of the most outstanding style icons of the last 50 years. I hope you enjoy it!





Video: Youtube.com

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

The King of St. Tropez

Gigi Rizzi, was one of the most famous ladies' man during the late 60s and 70s. This Italian became a St. Tropez icon when in the summer of 1968 he was seen all over town with Brigitte Bardot. Whether on Bardot's Riva boat, strolling around, or attending a party they caught everyone's attention.

Below a snapshot taken at a club in St. Tropez that summer in which we can see both of them wearing a type of headband; it may look a bit strange but then again one has to remember it was a year after "The Summer of Love". Gigi is wearing a fitted white polo shirt and black pants, while Brigitte appears to wear a beaded top covered by her long blond hair.


Photo: Hitparadeitalia.it

Monday, June 14, 2010

Partying in Venice

In the summer of 1967 Jane Fonda, Roger Vadim, & David Bailey were photographed attending a party during the Venice Film Festival. This photo depicts two "opposite" styles next to each other. Roger Vadim is wearing a classic tuxedo; while David Bailey (who was with then wife Catherine Deneuve promoting "Belle Du Jour" at the Festival) is wearing a psychedelic print Nehru shirt, which was a must have item in 1967, paired with a dinner jacket.



Photo: Marina Cicogna/photoradar.com

Friday, June 11, 2010

George Best & Pele

Today is the beginning of 2010's Soccer World Cup in South Africa, and what a better way to celebrate than with a photo of two of the best soccer players in history, George Best & Pele. Photographed in April 1978 in California, Best presented Pele an award for being "The Best Soccer Player".

George Best decided to wear his soccer uniform for this ocassion, while Pele opted for a red leisure suit (they were very popular in the 70s) with a light colored turtleneck, mixing the bold styles of the 70s with a 60s Mod touch.

Photo: Whoateallthepies.tv

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

John Barry & Jane Birkin

John Barry is one of the greatest film score composers of the 20th Century. His works include the soundtracks of almost all the James Bond films from 1963 to 1987, "Midnight Cowboy", "Born Free", "The Deep", "Out of Africa", "Dances With Wolves", "The Persuaders" amongst others.

From 1965 to 1968 he was married to Jane Birkin.



Photo: last.fm

Monday, June 7, 2010

Plaid Summer

Man about town & native New Yorker, Peter Davis shows us that plaid can add an elegant and cool touch to any ensemble this summer. Photographed wearing a plaid shirt with a white jacket, Davis demonstrates why he's currently one of the best dressed in Manhattan. Worth noticing is his matching pocket square.



Photo: Nick Hunt

Friday, June 4, 2010

Weekend in Rome

Rome is one of my favorite cities in the world, having been there for quite a considerable time I was able to experience the "citta" in all its best. Roma has had an important place in World History for centuries, and yet in the 20th Century it served as backdrop to iconic movies such as "La Dolce Vita", "A Plein Soleil", "Roman Holiday", & "Rome Adventure" amongst others.

"The Eternal City" offers us landmarks such as the Imperial Forum (one can still experience the glory of Ancient Rome), the Colosseum, the Fontana di Trevi (throw 3 coins), Via Veneto (home of the "Dolce Vita" in the 60s), Piazza Navona (its cafes and portrait painters), Piazza di Spagna (one must climb the steps), Via dei Condotti (Rome's answer to 5th Avenue), Piazza della Republicca, Il Vittorio & Piazza Venezia (the epicenter of it all), la Bocca della Verita, Castel St. Angelo, Porta Pinciana, Piazza dei Poppolo, and the Pantheon.

Built in Ancient Rome, the Pantheon served as a pagan temple and within time was used as a Catholic church and then as a memorial. Not only are its architecture and dome remarkable but also the fountain located in front of it on the Piazza that was designed by Giacomo della Porta.

Below a photo that blends perfectly the beauty of the Pantheon with the elegance of a dark suit.



Photo: GQ

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

A Lesson of Style

Michael Caine gives us a lesson of style, class, and elegance in the mid 60s while being photographed on his room at The Plaza Hotel.



Photo: Flickr
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