The Summer Of Love - June 1967

Forty four years ago, in June of 1967, over 100,000 people migrated to the Haight-Ashbury neighborhood of San Francisco in what was known as a 'hippie rebellion'.  Many young people traveled from across the world to be a part of this event which promised them the opportunity to cast off social conservatism & experiment openly without reprecussions, basically in the areas of psychotropics, free love (i.e. promiscuous sex) and of course rock n' roll!  There was no formal advertisement for this gathering, it all came together by word of mouth that spanned a huge distance and diversity of individuals.  The most positive thing that arose from this was the idea of 'unity, love & acceptance' for all of humanity...That's the part I like best! 

I know some of the history of 'The Summer Of Love' first hand because of my now reformed, once die hard hippie, Uncle Noel who said it was given the name to offset the negative impression the media was pushing for, of it being a drug infused, hairy hippie orgy.  Of course, for all intents and purposes it pretty much was exactly just that, no matter how much they attempted to sugar coat it!...   

A fashion trend arose from this decade called 'bohemian' which is a combination of the anything goes style of the hippie movement sprinkled with a little bit of nomad and topped off with a pinch of free spirited gypsy.  This vintage style will never be out of style as it has lasted the span of four decades having not changed very much from the beginning of its origin.  The allure is that the wearer does not conform to the norms of fashion or society for that matter and in turn to some extent becomes a 'rebel'... Boho-Chic entails everything colorful, flowing, comfortable & can even incorporate mix matched prints into style choices.  It's the same now as it was then and is absolutely one of the most simple trends to keep up with because it never really changes...

Of all the eras of clothing I personally find appealing, I'm all about the Mod early 60's thru to the late vintage Hippie 60's to early 70's because of the non-comformity of the fashions.  What is your favorite style era?


: bellasugar.com , imeanwhat.com , bohoblindness.blospot.com , katsville.wordpress.com , liberallifestyles.com , dannymiller.typepad.com , hubpages.com , umodels.com

Fashion In Film Friday - "The Lost Boys"

Even before the movie 'Twilight', vampires have been romanticized in movies.  The 1987 flick Lost Boys, starring Kiefer Sutherland as the head vamp & Jason Patric as the lead role, was definitely one to remember. 

Besides having a killer soundtrack, the style of the undead was off the hook, retro bohemian gypsy.  They wore embellished military jackets, long trench coats, army boots, bangle jewelry and long flowing skirts.  And let's not forget to mention the big 80's hair!  Jamie Gertz who played Patric's love interest, was rogue'ishly feminine in her belly dancer inspired boho floor length skirt and colorful peasant inspired top.

Shortly after this film was released, the grunge movement in regards to fashions came about which leaves us to believe that the inspiration behind it may have very well have come from this.  Grunge by definition is based on the Seattle sound that emerged during the late 80's and trailed on well into the first half of the 90's and the fashion style changes that came along with it.  

There hasn't been much of an evolution in comparison to grunge circa 1987 til' now as we've seen a stand still in the design, however there's been a bit of a goth influence to the grunge status quo as vampire movies have evoked a cosplay feel to the fashion statement, by incorporating a lot of 'black & metal' into their daily wear.

I am personally a big fan of vampire movies, so I have one question for you...


Are you TEAM EDWARD or.....TEAM JACOB? 




impawards.com  bloogygoodhorror.com , shopstyle.com

Stevie Nicks...Renaissance Gypsy

Who doesn't absolutely adore Stevie Nicks and her free spirited persona that makes you wish you could muster up the moxie to pull off this style?  But of course, the question would arise.."Where in the heck would you wear something like this?"  Regardless, she makes us fantasize about being a rock star!...

Everyone knows her, originally as the front woman for the popular 70's band Fleetwood Mac, who then went on to entertain a successful solo career & everyone knows her for her signature style that usually consists of...'flowing dresses with long diaphanous sleeves, Victorian lace up boots and an accentuating shawl or cape, usually floor length. When you really think about it, she was Goth, before Goth was ever heard of!

She was subtly sexy and when asked about her fashion choices, was quoted in an interview as saying..."I have always looked at it like, people are always wondering what was under all of that in regards to my clothes, I think it's much more sexier than putting it all out there for everyone to see".  She was and still remains, modestly beautiful in her own way...

Designer Ralph Lauren's Fall 2010 show last year had Stevie wannabe's walking the runway as it was all about Gothic prairie dresses, fur tails and luxe gypsy accessories. His Stevie inspired collection was on the mark and rang true to the quote.."Imitation is the highest form of flattery" as Lauren definitely did the songstress proud in replicating her style.

Her style has become vintage timeless and is easy to incorporate into your own wardrobe.  Think anything loose, billowy, chiffon, platform, layers, feathers, hats & you will find your own renaissance gypsy style!

  

      
pics: lavintage.com, elle.com, planetrockstar.co.uk, nickslive.blogspotcom, eyeball.fm, entertainmentwallpaper.com, musicstack.com, allstarpicsnet, workingclassmag.com

Fashion In Film Friday

'Almost Famous' was the movie that made the bohemian style of the laid back 70's 'famous' again...  It is a fictional tale based around a young teen who lands a job an intern reporter for Rolling Stone mag and his adventures following the band Stillwater, in an effort to get his first cover story published.

The 2000 film is in part autobiographical being that the movies director Cameron Crowe, was himself a teenage writer for Rolling Stone and the flick depicts certain aspects of that time in his life.  It's Kate Hudson's character, the groupie Penny Lane that we remember most about this movie. Penny is the perfect blend of carefree, rocker/hippie chic who's fashion sense in nothing but fun and fearless!  Gypsy, halter tops & peasant blouses.  Paisley prints, stone washed denim cut offs and shearling jackets.  This film reeked of the youthful rebellion that spawned from the 70's! 

Designers have emulated the styling of Hudson's character Penny Lane as seen here by Alberta Ferretti with her 'boho couture collection'...

There's a little wild child in each of us, so here's some ideas if you plan on channeling your inner Penny Lane with this vintage retro rewind timeless fashion style!....You know you want to!

pics: cinematic-fashion.blogs.com, polyvore.com, oudailyfashion.wordpress.com, queensofvintage.com, jetflicks.info.com, amazon.com