Happy 2011: New Year's Eve at Studio 54

On December 31, 1977 the likes of Halston, Bianca Jagger, Liza Minnelli, Andy Warhol, Michael Jackson, and Jack Haley Jr. decided to welcome 1978 at Studio 54. The most iconic club in history had not even celebrated its first year , and it had already become a "living legend".

33 years later and without Studio 54 existing as a club, we are welcoming 2011.

I would to wish all of my readers the best for this upcoming year; may it be a year filled with happiness, love, health, peace, and joy. And of course I want to thank all of you for following & reading the blog during 2010!

Happy New Year!



Photos: Flickr

On Her Majesty's Secret Service: Dinner at the Swiss Alps

"On Her Majesty's Secret Service" was the last Bond film of the 60s and the only one to feature George Lazenby as James Bond. Lazenby's 1969 portrayal of Bond can be remembered for the modern ensembles he wore throughout the film: Mod inspired turtlenecks, suits, ski jackets, tuxedos, and a Scottish Kilt.



While visiting Blofeld in his clinical research institute located at Piz Gloria (a revolving restaurant) on the heights of the Swiss Alps, James Bond who was wearing a Kilt, encounters 10 stunning women relaxing in a one of a kind living room. After the proper introductions, Bond and the women who were patients at the clinic, had dinner.



Photos: Flickr & somebodystolemythunder

Alain Delon & Marianne Faithfull: Winter Elegance

In 1968 Alain Delon co-starred with Marianne Faithfull in "Girl On A Motorcycle". This film is not only remembered by its plot, but also because Faithfull began the full body motorcycle suit trend.

Photographed while strolling on set, Delon wears an elegant and timeless ensemble made up of a wool suit, crossed scarf, and black framed eyeglasses. Next to him Marianne Faithfull who opted for a turtleneck under a fur coat (anyone wanting to dress up like her should wear faux fur).


Photo: Flickr

The Beatles: Love Is All You Need on Christmas

Christmas is the time of the year where one gives others gifts to show our appreciation and affection, a time where we also receive items we've perhaps been wishing to have for a certain time. Yet in the end, most of these gifts are material.

If there is one gift that's not material, inexpensive, easy to give, and can be given at any time of the year and not only Christmas, it is Love.



The Beatles shared this when they performed one of their most popular songs, "All You Need Is Love", on June 25, 1967. On the set of the British TV show, "Our World", The Beatles spread a message of love and unity to audiences worldwide (it was the first British Live World broadcast).
Wearing the latest trends from Carnaby Street, as seen below, they performed to an audience which was made up by the likes of Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Eric Clapton, Keith Moon, Jane Asher, and Marianne Faithfull. At the end of their performance they posed with posters that had "Love Is All You Need" written in English, French, German, and Spanish.




Merry Christmas to all of you, and remember that Love is all you need!


Photos: Flickr

Robert Redford: Timeless Elegance at "The Sting"

Robert Redford was photographed circa 1973 relaxing on the set of "The Sting". Although the film took place in 1936, Redford's ensemble made up of a newsboy cap, a pin striped, and print shirt, is something that can be worn nowadays due to its timeless elegance. A multicolored tie completed the look when Redford appeared on the film.


Photo: Flickr

Zazie Gnecchi Ruscone: Art Fabrics

Art is something that surrounds and interacts with us everyday; in our homes, books, music, city streets, galleries, cinema, and even on our clothes. It can be said that art is all around.

Zazie Gnecchi Ruscone, one of Rome’s creative and artistic talents nowadays, is revolutionizing fashion, art, and design with her one of a kind hand-printed fabrics.


Inspired by practically everything, like nature’s elements and colors, animals, ancient Greek and Moroccan tiles, old fabrics, books, Art Deco, Futurism, Cubism; artists such as: Paul Klee, Louise Bourgeois, Sonia Delaunay, Matisse, Picasso; and photographers like Daido Moryiama; Zazie’s fabrics immediately grab your attention by their design, composition, and colors.


Her exposure to art while visiting museums since a young age has played an important role when working on her fabrics. “I think that most of the pieces of art we see and love stay in our memory as a non specified idea that help us to build our own imaginarium.”, she comments.

Zazie learned the craft of hand printing from her mother, an artisan who does sophisticated handmade knitwear in Rome. As time passed by, she refined her technique and became an expert on blending and combining colors. According to Zazie, the knowledge and technique of hand printing are important, yet experimenting is important as well. For her the originality of each piece resides on this kind of “improvisations”.

If you would like to own one of Zazie’s designs you can purchase furniture with them at her Rome studio, and other designs at her mother’s shop (http://www.declercqdeclercq.com/).

Some of her designs can be seen on clothing as well; however these pieces are made upon request since she prefers to create something especially for someone rather than randomly creating something. If the clothes have been used already by the owner it’s better.

When asked about why she presents her art on fabrics, furniture, notebook covers; and not in other means such as big canvasses that could be admired on art galleries or walls, Zazie says, “I am a craftswoman, an artisan, not an artist. The purpose of my creations is being used, being lived. In galleries, I prefer to hang my photos, instead.”

Besides creating these hand-printed fabrics, Zazie Gnecchi Ruscone is also a skilled photographer. For further information visit her websites: http://www.zazielab.com/ & http://zaziegnecchiruscone.tumblr.com/

Photos: Zazie Gnecchi Ruscone

Blake Edwards: Filming "Breakfast at Tiffany's" Opening Scene

Blake Edwards, director of films such as "The Pink Panther", "Breakfast at Tiffany's", "The Great Race", "10", "The Party", and "Gunn" passed away on December 15, 2010. His films can be considered as cinema classics from the 60s.



Perhaps "Breakfast at Tiffany's" (1961), starring Audrey Hepburn and George Peppard is Edwards' most famous film. The opening scene of this movie based on Truman Capote's novel with the same name, is one of the most iconic scenes in cinema history.

Who can forget the view of an empty Fifth Avenue and watching Holly Golightly descend from a cab and walk to the front of New York's landmark jewelry, Tiffany's. Wearing a black dress, pearls, and Wayfarers she would eat a pastry and drink some coffee while looking at the windows; all this happening with "Moon River" being played on the background.

Blake Edwards filmed this scene on Sunday October 2, 1960 at 5 am since he wanted to capture the moment when night transitioned into early morning. Despite the result being flawless, this scene had some difficulties such as Audrey Hepburn's dislike for pastries, the crowds watching the scene, and a production crew accident.

Photographed below wearing a cordoury coat, Blake Edwards gives instructions to Audrey Hepburn at Fifth Avenue. Next to him is George Peppard.


Photos: Flickr

Cream: Street Style

Cream was a British rock band which performed from 1966 to 1968, and despite its brief existence it had a great influence on rock music. The band's members were: Eric Clapton, Jack Bruce, and Ginger Baker.

One of their most memorable performances took place in October 1966 when they performed alongside Jimi Hendrix.

Below a photograph of Cream wearing some eye catching and bold ensembles circa 1967 which are reminiscent of the clothes available on London's Carnaby Street during those days.


Photo: Flickr

Thoughtful James Dean

Another photo from James Dean's "Nautical sweater" photoshoot in which we can see him being contemplative. In front of him are his tortoise Wayfarer shaped eyeglasses and behind what appears to be a Greek or Roman bust.

James Dean was photographed wearing this sweater circa 1955. He wore jeans, a cowboy style belt, and his eyeglasses in other photos from this shoot.


Photo: Flickr

Truman Capote's Masked Black and White Ball

One of the most memorable parties from the 60s took place on November 28, 1966 at New York City's Plaza Hotel. The occasion was to celebrate the success that year of Truman Capote's book "In Cold Blood".

Organized by Capote himself, the party was a black and white ball in which guests were requested to wear masks.

During the Summer of 1966 Truman Capote had to leave New York since he was getting a lot of invite requests for his Masked Ball. Some were not pleased when in the end they were not invited by Capote that they decided to pose on the cover of Esquire "complaining" about it.

Among the 540 guests of this evening were: Gianni Agnelli and his wife, Richard Avedon, Cecil Beaton, Candice Bergen, Harry Belafonte, Marisa Berenson, Leonard Bernstein, Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, Mia Farrow, Frank Sinatra, Andy Warhol, Sammy Davis Jr., Marlene Dietrich, Oscar de la Renta, Gregory Peck, and Penelope Tree.

The party lasted till around 3 AM, a little after Frank Sinatra and his wife then, Mia Farrow, left the Plaza.

Photo: Flickr

John Lennon: People For Peace

Today on the 30th anniversary of John Lennon's "death" (I write death between quotations because he may have died biologically, yet his spirit and legacy are still alive) I would like to remember him and his message of peace.

Lennon is not only one of the most iconic and legendary musicians of the 20th Century, but also a preacher of peace and unity. Songs like "Imagine", "Give Peace A Chance", and "Happy Christmas (War Is Over)" promote a world based on love, peace, unity, tolerance, & respect for others and the environment.

Despite being written and performed almost 40 years ago, the messages within Lennon's songs are still contemporary.

Other songs worth listening today are: "Woman", "Just Like Starting Over", and "Mind Games".

Photo: Flickr

The Rolling Stones: A Day In The Champs-Elysees

While visiting Paris in May 1965, The Rolling Stones posed for the camera of French photographer Jean-Marie Perier.

Standing in the middle of the Champs-Elysees with the Arc de Triomphe in the background, the members of one of Rock's most iconic bands are seen wearing ensembles made up of colored jackets with jerseys and turtlenecks beneath them, Mod hairstyles, and boots. The color palette on all of these ensembles is made up of Fall/Winter colors.



Photo: Jean-Marie Perier/Polka Galerie

Michael Caine: Simple Winter Elegance on "The Italian Job"

Michael Caine starred in 1969's cinema classic "The Italian Job" as Charlie Croker, a thief who with the help of his gang steals 4 million dollars of gold in Turin, Italy. Croker and his friends manage to get the gold out of Turin after creating a traffic chaos & racing thru the city's streets and buildings. However when they're in the heights of the Italian Alps near the border with Switzerland they encounter trouble; their van is almost falling into a cliff, and with it the gold.

Throughout the film one can see great examples of late 60s fashion such as double breasted suits, psychedelic print shirts, and turtlenecks. Michael Caine shows that a turtleneck is a great option for this Fall/Winter since it is a simple, elegant, and versatile item. Turtlenecks played a key role in 60s fashion.

Charlie Croker wore his turtleneck by itself or under his double breasted suede jacket (the result was a very Mod ensemble). This season you can wear a turtleneck just like Charlie did, or you may add a touch of color and contrast with a scarf.



Photo: Flickr

John F. Kennedy

On this early 60s photo President John F. Kennedy gives a lesson of style by showing what a good pair of sunglasses, tie, suit, and smile can do.

Photo: Flickr