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