Friday, June 28, 2013

Bert Stern: A Gifted Eye

Bert Stern, one of the greatest American photographers of all time, passed away on June 26, 2013. He will always be remembered for his groundbreaking photos in the fields of advertising, fashion, and cinema.

Some of his subjects included Marilyn Monroe (he was the last photographer who took photos of her on "The Last Sitting"), Elizabeth Taylor & Richard Burton, Marlon Brando, Sue Lyon, Alain Delon, Veruschka, Twiggy, Audrey Hepburn, and many others.


Stern produced one of the most iconic photos in advertising history when he photographed a Martini glass filled with vodka against the Great Pyramid of Giza in 1955. Above is a photo of Stern in action, taken by Staley Wise. Below the impressive result.



Photos: Bert Stern, Staley Wise, Tumblr

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

L.G.R : Timeless Elegance Under the Sun


Summer is often associated with journeys to new places and spending time under the Sun with friends. Italian eyewear brand, L.G.R once again makes Summer the most enjoyable time of the year by taking us to the south of France and Africa with its new releases.

Marseille is the backdrop for L.G.R’s newest campaign, which is a combination of the Mediterranean’s intense blue hues, towering rock formations, and popular sites of this port with L.G.R’s  one of a kind eyewear.


New additions like Divo, Lola, Springs, and Zanzibar, available in a wide variety of colors, are the result of hard work by Italian artisans. The celluloid acetate and metal blend, introduced at the end of 2012, is present in this collection. Springs continues using L.G.R’s trademark crystal mineral lenses, while the other three models have high definition Zeiss organic lenses.

Worth mentioning is the introduction of new frame colors such as: Ivory, Grey Marble, Mimetic, Matt Navy Blue, Wysteria, and Matt Sea Green.


The Safari Limited Edition is a tribute to Africa’s impressive natural regions: the Indian Ocean, the Sahara desert, the savanna, and Central Africa’s evergreen forests. Hence the models’ names: Ocean, Desert, Savanna, and Forest. This collection features two of L.G.R’s most popular models, Asmara and Keren, in colors that are representative of each African region.

But the singularity of this collection isn’t only the frames’ color; there is a special lens according to the setting’s own light conditions. Depending on the model, the lenses darken or lighten to provide a sharp and high contrast vision, always offering top UV protection.


To learn more about these new releases, I interviewed Luca Gnecchi Ruscone.

What inspired you to create the Safari Limited Edition?

The African continent with its different and strong natural environments that always inspired in me a sense of freedom and escape. My frequent adventures in Kenya, Eritrea, and Morocco. I experienced the need of different lenses in order to protect my sight in different situations.

After using celluloid acetate for more than 5 years on all of L.G.R's frames, what has made you combine acetate with metal in these new designs?
The need to innovate not only in design but with materials. I have to be good at everything, not only acetate. We made some samples first, they were cool and I decided to present them to my clients. They have a great success now in stores. Timeless elegance can be expressed using different materials.

All of L.G.R's eyewear is named after an African city or natural attraction, what is the story behind "Divo" and "Lola"?
Actually Divo and Lola are African names…Divo is on the Ivory Coast and Lola in South Africa.

Describe the perfect occasion to wear L.G.R this Summer.
Different models for different occasions. Massawa Vermillion Polarized for a sailing trip. Nairobi Crystal Blue Polarized for the beach. Lola for a girl at a roof party in NYC. Tripoli for a holiday in Mykonos, Greece. Asmara Havana 02 for an aperitivo in Portofino after a day spent at sea.


L.G.R sunglasses and eyeglasses can be found in top stores and boutiques around the world. For further information visit: http://www.lgr-sunglasses.com/


Photos: L.G.R

Monday, June 24, 2013

John F. Kennedy: Ready for the Summer

John F. Kennedy enjoying Summer circa 1960.



Photo: Tumblr

Friday, June 21, 2013

5 Years of Retro Vintage Mod Style

On this 5th anniversary of “Retro Vintage Mod Style”, I’d like to thank all of my readers for your support with a special selection of photographs that show some of the best photos featured on the blog.

What a better way to start celebrating this special occasion than with some memorable party photos. The first one is part of Richard Avedon’s memorable Santorini editorial for Vogue in 1967. Jean Shrimpton & Jeanloup Sieff brought together elegance, etiquette, and joy.

Bianca Jagger’s 32nd birthday party marked the official opening of Studio 54 in May 1977. After this Halston organized party, Studio 54 became the top dance spot. An instant captured by Robin Platzer that depicts Bianca Jagger, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Mick Jagger, Alana Hamilton, and Jacques Sterling chatting with heavy disco beats on the background.


A lot has been said about elegance and style, yet what can’t be denied is that they withstand the passing of time. They’re timeless and somehow evolve with mankind’s way of life and trends. Dandyism was best represented by Cary Grant throughout the 40s and 50s. It wasn’t only about the clothes, but his attitude and demeanor played an important part as well.

Robert Redford proved in 1975’s “Three Days of the Condor” that being elegant isn’t a synonym of dressing and acting uptight. One can be stylish in a relaxed way that’s suitable for your everyday life. With some jeans, a jacket, good footwear, and a shirt; you’re all set.

Clothes should always reflect your personality, interests, mood, and ideas. Two people who understood this were Yves Saint Laurent and Steve McQueen. A visionary like Saint Laurent not only used elements from World cultures and Art on his collections, he wore them himself. A proof of this is the Safari jacket ensemble he wore to the opening of his London Rive Gauche boutique in 1969.

On the other hand, Steve McQueen always dressed according to the occasion. Yet when photographed on his moments of leisure, he delivered effortless and carefree elegance. All he needed was a plain t-shirt and a smile.
The French Riviera’s impressive blue coasts, resorts, and events like the Cannes Film Festival, made it a top Summer destination. The likes of Brigitte Bardot and Alain Delon set sail on the coast of St. Tropez in 1968, while Michael Caine visited Cannes to promote “Alfie” in 1966.

Fashion and photography can’t exist without each other. Photography captures and transmits the power of fashion to present and upcoming generations; and fashion inspires photography. David Bailey, Richard Avedon, Helmut Newton, Henry Clarke, Bruce Weber, Herb Ritts, Bert Stern, Steven Meisel, Francesco Scavullo, and Mario Testino are amongst the acclaimed photographers who have immortalized fashion in the last 50 years.

Bert Stern captured David Bailey photographing Veruschka in 1964. An image which blends glamour with spontaneity, and that could have inspired the iconic “Blow Up” scene. The second photo was part of a mid 60s Vogue editorial set in “Swinging London”, the epicenter of it all. An image that shows street style at its best.

Once again, a big thank you to all of you!

Photos: Tumblr/Flickr/GQ/Vogue/Ciaovogue.com

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Summer In The City '84


Summer without a seersucker suit or jacket isn't Summer. A seersucker jacket besides being eye-catching and fresh, can be a versatile item as well. Pairing a jacket with a plain t-shirt and a pocketsquare leads to a relaxed and elegant ensemble like the one shown in this Arthur Elgort photo.


Photo: Uomoclassico/Arthur Elgort/GQ

Monday, June 17, 2013

Michelangelo Antonioni & Monica Vitti

Monica Vitti and Michelangelo Antonioni, leading actress and director of 1962's "L' eclisse", give a lesson of impeccable Summer style in this mid 60s photo.



Photo: Tumblr

Friday, June 14, 2013

John Paul & Talitha Getty: Marrakech 1969


An iconic photo of Talitha and John Paul Getty wearing kaftans on a roof-top in Marrakech, taken by Patrick Lichfield on January 1969.


Photo: Tumblr/Patrick Lichfield

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

The Endless Summer

"The Endless Summer" is a 1966 documentary that follows Mike Hynson and Robert August on their worldwide surfing adventure. From the beaches of Hawaii and Tahiti to the coasts of Africa and Australia, this film captures the essence of 60s surfing-beach culture. A film worth watching for the wonders of nature.



 
Photo & Video: Designbyproxy/Youtube

Monday, June 10, 2013

Jean-Michel Basquiat: The Joy of Summer


A candid photo of art icon, Jean-Michel Baquiat, that captures the laid back mood of Summer.


Photo: Newdandyism/Lee Jaffe

Friday, June 7, 2013

Paul McCartney: Bohemian Summer

Paul McCartney photographed by David Bailey in the late 60s wearing an amazing embroided tunic, which will add a bohemin twist to any Summer.

Photo: Iamthechildofthemoon/David Bailey

Wednesday, June 5, 2013

Mick & Bianca Jagger: Summer in Venice


Mick and Bianca Jagger enjoying a gondola ride while on their honeymoon in Venice.


Photo: Tumblr

Monday, June 3, 2013

David Bailey & Penelope Tree

David Bailey and his late 60s muse, Penelope Tree, posing with a canine friend.


Photo: Pleasurephoto