MOD Monday - 'Veruschka'

It's hard to believe that Veruschka von Lehndorff, the popular model of the 1960's whose name was shortened to simply 'Veruschka', turned 71 this year.  Born in Russia, but of German descent, she came from a military background being that her father was a German Count & Army reserve officer who was a part of the German resistance.  He was executed when she was five years old for attempting to assassinate Adolf Hitler.  Although she was born into wealth, after her father's death her family was left homeless.

She was discovered at the age of 20, and began modeling full-time in Paris.  In 1961 she became acquainted with Eileen Ford of the Ford Modeling Agency & moved to New York.  Being a huge fan of the infamous eccentric Salvador Dali, I was amazed to discover that she had worked closely with him on several projects! 

Although modeling was her forte', she had dabbled in acting a bit appearing in only about a dozen films, none of which were box office hits, her last being a bit part in the 2006 Casino Royale, a prequel to the popular James Bond movies. Throughout her modeling career, she appeared on the cover of Vogue quite a few times which made her well known around the world.  Her look was uniquely distinctive and she was the ultimate chameleon when it came to adapting to the ever changing style trends of the 60's...

Being a Countess by her birth right, she was the epitome of the rags to riches story having gone back and forth between wealth, poverty and finally doing very well for herself in the end.  As the years progressed, she became a well known 'Mod' fashion Icon of the 60's, having been the muse of every designer she came in contact with.

Last year, Veruschka made a runway appearance at the Giles 2011 Spring/Summer show in London for fashion week.  She was part of his finale sporting a long orchid and bow print gown, with a 7 foot boa decorating her hair, definitely proving that youth really has nothing to do with the way beauty should be perceived.

   
            
pics: modeikat.de, flickr.com, tumblr.com, freeimagefinder.com, pichaus.com, trendland.net, styleguru.com, huffingtonpost.com, myspace.com

Linda Morand - MOD Monday

Linda Morand from Long Island, New York, was one of the top fashion models of the mid 60's to mid 70's.  She was was originally discovered by Eileen Ford (Ford Modeling) and graced the pages of Vogue, Glamour & Mademoiselle as well as many international fash mags.  She was considered to be the favorite model of designers Betsey Johnson & Vidal Sassoon and was one of the first ever American models to be booked from New York to work the runway in Paris.

   
She had an uncanny resemblance to Jacqueline Kennedy when she was younger  and even had the opportunity to meet her doppelganger at P.J. Clarke's in Manhattan in 1971.  Her modeling career was more successful in Europe than in the United States as she was the muse to Pierre Cardin, Karl Lagerfeld and Paco Rabanne.  She was well versed in her craft that took her on travels through Paris, Milan, Munich and Barcelona.   She was one of the most photographed models of the MOD era, who was just like her contemporary Twiggy, was an 'it girl' who set the standard of style for her generation...

Her career was short lived and only spanned a duration of one decade as she retired in 1975 to raise a family.  She did however, open a small exclusive modeling school as well as an international photography studio. At present day, the vintage haute couture model spends the majority of her time trying to get a two hour television special off the ground...'The Supermodels Hall Of Fame'

Now in her 70's, Morand could still pass for mid 40's as this once super model, super chick of the 60's is still on top of her game which totally diminishes the usual stereotype of today's supermodels with their eating disorders and heroine chic look and totally gives rise to the old adage that 'they just don't make em' like they used to'!    


lindamorand.com , minimadmod60's.com, hamptons.com

The Lure of The Little Black Dress

For decades, women everywhere have been in pursuit of the perfect 'little black dress'.  Why you ask? ... Because the 'right' LBD has the ability to create a slimming illusion on the most curviest of frames, so make no mistake...the color black is a girl's best friend!

Prior to the 1920's the color black was reserved for periods of mourning and considered appalling to be worn for anything but however, in 1926, 'Coco' Chanel published a photo of a short, simple black dress in 'Vogue' and the concept took off and became a fashion staple for women of taste.  The LBD has evolved since the beginning of its vintage roots in regards to cuts and fabrics but remains as popular as it ever was.


In 1961, the now vintage fashion icon & once Hollywood starlet Audrey Hepburn wore a little black dress by designer Hubert de' Givenchy in the cult classic 'Breakfast At Tiffany's' and this gave rise to this simple, yet absolutely glamorous look.

I have recently done some research on how to acquire a unique yet affordable 'LBD' and here's what I found...  You can get your own 'little black dress' for under $100.00 at Forever 21, Victoria's Secret, Express and Charlotte Russe.

: fashionwithethics.files . wordpress.com , farm3.static.flickrcom , taheena.blogspot.com , storage.koinup.com , thegloss.com , harpersbazaar.com , thegloss.com , splendora.com 

Sorry Janice Dickinson...You Were NOT The World's 1st Super Model!

A few weeks ago I happened to catch the end of Celebrity Rehab on VH1 and this years season featured the self proclaimed 'World's 1st Super Model' Janice Dickinson. Obviously she wasn't aware that the term 'super model' was already known in the 1940's so this prompted me to delve a little bit into the subject to see if there was any validity to the label.

Regardless of the fact that the writer Judith Cass used the term in 1942 for her article in ‘The Chicago Tribune’ which headlined…”Super Models Are Signed For Fashion Show”, Janice states claim to coining the phrase in 1979 when her manager, concerned that she was working too hard told her, “You are not superman” to which she replied..”I am a super model!”.  She obviously didn’t know what she was talking about being that the term had already become popular in the 60’s which was way before she was working the cat walk. 

That's "your bad" Janice for not schooling yourself on the history of your craft because anyone who's into fashion both vintage & current knows who Twiggy is and also knows that at just 16 she became the first prominent teenage model best known for her signature boyish hair style, long eyelashes and thin build.  She was modeling worldwide and was named ‘The Face of 1966” by the Daily Express.

There have been many since Ms. Dickinson who were referred to as super models such as Cheryl Tiegs, Christie Brinkley and the infamous wild child Gia Carangi however, the facts remain that on March 21^st 1967, The New York Times referred to Twiggy as the first super model & Glamour magazine did as well in 1968.

I don’t know about you but whenever I’ve pondered the words fashion and model, I’ve always thought of Twiggy…

Sorry Janice…J

source: images.fanpop.com , wikipedia.com , s3.hubimg.com ,  thehollywoodgossip.com . thebeat.ilyn.com

vintage vogue

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