I draw a lot of inspiration from characters in films rather than specific individuals (Elizabeth Taylor in "Butterfield 8", Tura Satana in "Faster Pussycat, Kill Kill!", Ann Margret in "Viva Las Vegas!", Julie Newmar as Catwoman in the Batman series, Ann Baxter in "The Ten Commandments", Grace Kelly in "To Catch a Thief", Ursula Andress in "Dr. No", pretty much every character in any Bond or Hitchcock film! ). Of course, that being said, Elizabeth Taylor, Lauren Bacall, Ann Margret, Marilyn Monroe, Josephine Baker ( especially when she was accompanied by Chiquita, her pet cheetah!), Carmen Miranda, Frida Kahlo, Yul Brynner, Humphrey Bogart and Elvis are some of my style icons.
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| Lauren Bacall |
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| Marilyn Monroe |
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| Ann Margret and Elvis in "Viva Las Vegas" |
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| Carmen Miranda, who always inspires shoe envy! |
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| Josephine Baker and Chiquita the cheetah |
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| Ann Margret - what an inspiration! |
2. What is your favorite way to get inspired?
Mostly by watching old films! I love TCM and AMC :)
3. What's your most-used hair tool?
Probably my bubblegum pink foam rollers!
4. What's your favorite hair tool?
Shiny black bobby pins :)
5. Updo, down, or half-and-half?
Half-and-half...I love to do mini victory rolls on a day to day basis, but for special occasions I like it down.
6. Is vintage something you do every day, on weekends, or for special occasions?
A little something every day, but I really need to get better at taking pictures! Unfortunately the weather has been so dark and gloomy here in Macedonia lately, so I haven't been out that much.
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| Fur for springtime! How glamorous :) |
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| Les adorables! |
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| Carmen Miranda |
7. What's your favorite blush and lipstick?
I don't wear blush on a daily basis, but I do like Love Rocks from MAC. I love lipstick though! MAC Snob and Pink Nouveau are my favorites!
8. Dress, skirt, or pants? Heels or flats?
Dresses and 1940's platforms :)
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| They aren't vintage, but I do so love my Prada heels! |
9. Off-the-rack or homemade?
Off-the-rack mostly, but I would like to start making a few things to add to my wardrobe like a 1940's inspired playsuit for example.
10. Do you swing dance?
I do not. I prefer latin dance.
11. Extreme vintage or subtle touches?
I prefer extreme vintage, but I ain't got enough dough to sate all of my vintage cravings! I desperately need to purchase a proper bullet bra and waist cincher so I can be my vintage best.
12. Favorite perfume?
Comptoir Sud Pacifique Vanille Abricot and Aquolina Pink Sugar, mostly because they bring back memories of the summer I met my Love, the Bear.I was on vacation in Ohrid, Macedonia (where I grew up) and we spent wonderful days together. I love him SO much! We were apart for 11 months the first time, but we always made sure to send each other love letters...mine were always sealed with a kiss (MAC Pink Nouveau!)and scented with Aquolina Pink Sugar :)
13. Favorite skincare product?
Definitely jojoba oil! It is a miracle worker on my skin. I love to find natural ingredients to use on my skin. If you haven't tried jojoba oil, definitely give it a shot, it is inexpensive and more effective than a more expensive product.
14. What does your family think of your style?
They are pretty accepting, but usually think that I am overdressed. I think that my love of vintage secretly makes my grandmother happy...I remember when I was a young girl she always tried to make me try on more classic styles :) I have vivid memories of my great grandmother coming to Sunday night dinners and always being best dressed: white hair always impeccably smooth curled under, cocoa tweed skirt suit, elegant chocolate brown pumps, nylons, and a whimsical brooch. I hope that I can look that chic in my 80's!
15. Favorite accessory?
A pair of peeptoe espadrilles or a flower hair accessory! Flowers always make me feel more beautiful.
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| Mexican artist Frida Kahlo |
16. Do you find the vintage community welcoming or snobby?
I have only come across the loveliest people, and I am so thrilled to meet more of the vintage community! Vintage should be fun, not snobbish, and I appreciate anyone who admires vintage style.
17. What drew you to vintage style?
Many factors. I have always been drawn to the style of old films. When I was a young girl I preferred to watch old Bond films over anything else, but my family loved watching "Arsenic and Old Lace", "Bringing Up Baby", "Some Like It Hot", "The Maltese Falcon", "Casablanca", and many more classic films. Also, I have a classic hourglass figure (34C, 23", 35"), which means that modern clothing nearly always needs to be altered, unlike most vintage. One of my pet peeves with modern clothing is that it is always too tight in the bust and too big on my waist. Wearing vintage solves that problem!
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| Tura Satana in "Faster Pussycat, Kill Kill!" |
18. Favorite places to shop vintage?
You know, the usual, etsy and ebay...but then again, there are no vintage shops where I live currently! I do love to scour the antique shops here though! They have a ton of old Yugoslavian and USSR relics, which delights my inner Bond girl :)
19. What vintage eras are your favorite?
Definitely the 1940's and the 1950's, but if I had more of a boyish figure I would dress like a hippie...I love California style, it just doesn't suit my figure. I will always wear flowers in my hair though ;)
20. Most glamorous film stars?
Ava Gardner, Elizabeth Taylor, Marilyn Monroe, Lauren Bacall, Paul Newman, Cary Grant, Grace Kelly...there are too many!
21. Favorite vintage object that you own?
My 1940's trapunto skirt suit in dark grape velvet! It was a steal at $35! Best birthday gift ever.
I hope you enjoyed reading this post! Feel free to copy the questions and fill it out for yourself, I would enjoy reading all of your answers! Добар ден до сите!
Comrade Von Pussycat
The shoes in the first Carmen Miranda photo look like now! That's very cool, because I hate when the shoes are wrong, drives me crazy. There's a lot of vintage in the costume stock at work that doesn't fit anyone anymore. So many of the students have "thick middles". When I started my job in 1993, I made mostly clothes with 25-26 inch waists, now it's more like 30plus. And vintage patterns are sized so small! Thank you pattern companies for re-issuing pattens with modern sizing.
ReplyDeleteI love the photos you post
Thank you Thorne! Carmen Miranda definitely had the best shoe collection back in the day! That is so interesting about the change in shapes and sizes, I just love the shape of the female body in the 1950's, especially. I know it isn't for everyone, but no matter what size you are you should feel beautiful!
ReplyDeleteGreat answers. Like you, I don't believe we're ever overdressed. Putting effort into our appearance is its own reward. Your grape skirt-suit is amazing.
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