Glamoursplash

Pic-O-The-Week

noreply@blogger.com (Glamoursurf) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:12:00 PST

We're starting a new series today, Pic-o-the-week. We'll be featuring some of our favorite photo's every Tuesday. This one is from you guessed it, 1933.

Vogue Covers Featuring Swimwear

noreply@blogger.com (Glamoursurf) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 06:47:00 PST

Vogue UK has a searchable index of it's magazine covers here. The archive goes back to as early as 1916 and are a wonderful source of inspiration. These are just a few of the covers we found focused on the beach and swimwear.

source
July, 1932

Featuring the first ever photographic cover (shot by Edward Steichen, though he is not credited within), the issue proclaims that suits are this season's best buy, with creations from Hector Powe, Aquascutum, Asprey and Burberry all featuring.

source

June, 1934

The time of year means tennis-inspired styles are scattered over the preliminary pages with Selfridges showing "the necessary pantie for sport's clothes... made of two-way stretch latex in a shade of tea-rose", and Fortnum and Mason displaying its "new tennis two-piece made in linen". The cover design also signals summer fashions, and "Vogue's eye view of the mode" highly recommends its display of shorts and a two-piece beach suit in West Indian colours.

source

August 1940

Horst's idea of featuring the model in different positions to spell out the title was reused in June 1991 to celebrate Vogue's 75th birthday. This month's cover girl, Lisa Fonssagrives, would later marry famed Vogue contributor, Irving Penn, in 1947.

Sew Your Own CINDY Swimsuit

noreply@blogger.com (Glamoursurf) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 05:32:00 PST

Isn't this a cute swimsuit? OK, I know the model looks a bit waifish, but I think the suit is super cute. Its done as two pieces but looks like one, so you could wear the bottoms with another top if you want to show off your torso. And the best part is you can order a PDF of this pattern on line from Burda Style for only $3.50. Its called the Cindy swimsuit.

This would look great on curvy women as well. The ruching will help define the curves, and the fact that you can make it yourself allows for the correct measurements to your body type.

There are a couple of other pics on the Burda site from real people who have made this suit along with comments. I do sew, but I've never sewn knits or spandex, but I just may have to try this one.

One Year Anniversary

noreply@blogger.com (Glamoursurf) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 08:45:00 PST

Today marks my blogs first year anniversary. Wow, that was fast! Thanks for following along with us over the past year. To celebrate we're offering a 20% discount on all inventory on both Glamousurf and Glamoursavvy for the next 4 days. Purchase three or more items and your order will ship for FREE, we will refund the shipping cost after payment has been received. Easy as 1, 2, 3. Use discount code GlamourSplash at checkout and the discount will apply.

Offer expires Sunday 11/8/09 at midnight. Offer not valid on previous orders.

Made in the USA gone Away

noreply@blogger.com (Glamoursurf) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 07:23:00 PST

This is so sad but true. The sign of a well made mark is 'MADE IN THE USA'. However how much longer will we see this in vintage clothing anymore? Most of the vintage we offer on GlamourSavvy and Glamoursurf is made in the USA. I find it sad to see that the majority of swimwear manufacturing has moved offshore. And not only swimwear but clothing in general. Lost jobs, lost revenue, lost quality. What's your opinion?

1960s & 1970s Window Shopping

noreply@blogger.com (Glamoursurf) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 08:07:00 PST

I picked up a fabulous book this weekend called 'Fairchilds Book of Window Display' by Shirley Joel. Published in 1973, the book is all about window display in the late 60s early 70s. There are some phenomenal fashions shown in the book, unfortunately it doesn't credit the fashion designer or give the window display date but it does give some clues to them in the signage included in the display itself. Here are just a few, and of course we start with swimwear.

This display is by Standa, and I can't find any information on them.. Anyone out there familiar with this company? I do love the display though with a large picture in the center. The caption reads: Standa, Milan, sets up a basic vacation display (that subsequently is picked up by all 212 Standa stores in Italy), built around a life size four color photo panel and chrome tubes. Individual stores can then follow through with appropriate merchandise.

The one shoulder skirted swimsuit is by Rose Marie Reid. Although the mannequin is traditional, the mood of the window is modern. A single swimsuit is show by Hall Bros. Co., Cleveland, against modern shapes and designs that help underscore the clean-cut lines and print of the merchandise.

Emilio Pucci , again, love this maxi dress by a brilliant designer. Who said you had to spend a fortune for a dramatic window display. Just when a few simple abstract shapes and bright colors and a witty hand-stand to hold the window sign, John Wannamaker, Philadelphia, makes a strong fashion statement. The added fillip of a suspended paint can pouring pretend paint is more difficult to execute, but within the talent range and capacities of most.

Bonnie Cashin - Articulate Design Sculptured in Textures. I simply adore both of these outfits by one of my favorite designers. Dynamic duo. Two spirited mannequins capture the essence of a designer collection for Lipman Wolfe & Co., Portland. Even rows of tiny lights seem to be alive. Yet that's all there is to the window - nothing extra or extraneous.

I'd love to know the designer on this one. Peacock feathers, peacock colors, peacock print, even the peacock. How's that for a fantasy window at Bergdorf Goodman, New York, that really isn't as complicated as it sounds. Basically it's a single prop that does it - peacock and feathers.

The American Indian given the full fashion treatment, Saks Fifth Avenue, New York, does it right with an authentic hanging for background, a chic mannequin got up in harmonizing outfit, and jewelry simply displayed on classic velvet forms set on mirrored panels. These bib necklaces would be so well back in fashion today!

The book is done in all black and white, which I like but would have loved to see all these photo's in their glorious color. You can pick this book up here for pennies, it's well worth the investment in my mind if you like the fashions from the 1960s and early 1970s.

Day of the Dead - All Souls Day

noreply@blogger.com (Glamoursurf) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 07:16:00 PST

Day or the Dead or all Souls Day is celebrated for the last few days of October and the first couple of days in November in Mexico. It is a celebration of remembrances of departed relatives and friends. Food, festivities, flowers, decorated grave sites, lavish costumes and parades make up the social celebration. A time of remembrance, praying and celebration.

Diego Rivera 'Day of the Dead' 1923-24

The imagery is beautifully rich and sometimes very elaborate, sometimes playful. Just google some images and you come up with some very bright and fun skeletons, sculls, flowers & instruments depicting the celebration.

I found these fabulous Day of the Dead Alexander Henry fabrics here. I think they would be fun to use to make your own swimsuit or bikini. How theme-tastic! If you need a pattern, we have lots of vintage swimsuit patterns over at Glamoursurf. Let us know if there is something particular you are looking for as we have lots of patterns not yet listed.

They would also make wonderful totes, or an apron even. There are tote, purse and apron pattens listed over on Glamourstitch.

The Adaptable Accessory - The Scarf

noreply@blogger.com (Glamoursurf) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 06:26:00 PDT

With just one square yard of fabric, or sometimes two, you can scheme yourself a whole crop of scarf tricks to gay up a dull wardrobe.

Gay up? Seriously? This article is from a 1946 Womans Day magazine I picked up yesterday. The original price of the magazine, 2 cents. Yup, that's it, 2 cents. But this article caught my eye because of the fun ways that you can re purpose a scarf or a yard or two of fabric. We'll focus on the PLAYSUIT!?! As always, you can click on the images for a larger picture if you need to see more detail.

One scarf held by a ribbon round the throat makes this skin-tight, free action playsuit. Done best in figure hugging rayon jersey.

The playsuit should be worn over a pair of panties. We held the scarf on the diagonal, and folded it with point A hanging down in front. This point is later picked up to form the halter. Holding the scarf at B and B, we tied these ends back at waist. Then we brought point C through the legs and up in back to tie points BB. To form the skirt in back we tied corners D and D together. The we tied a knot in the fabric at point A. Next, wee tied a ribbon round the through low enough to meet point A and twisted the ribbon into a loop in front. We slipped know A through the loop.

So there you have it. One square yard of rayon jersey and you can knot up your own playsuit. No sewing required.

The Coca-Cola Girl

noreply@blogger.com (Glamoursurf) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 07:48:00 PDT

Throughout history companies have used swimsuit clad women to promote their brand. One very well know brand to do this successfully has been Coca Cola.

Always youthful, wholesome with a rosy glow these lovely ladies always has a coke in their hands or very near by.

The "Coca-Cola Girl" was the image the company preferred for pitching its potion, from the 1890s to the 1960s. Very rarely did a boy or young man appear in the ads or promotional materials, and after 1930 only in support of the girl.

Some very famous artists have created works of the Coca Cola Girl including N. C. Wyeth, Norman Rockwell and Gil Elvgren.

Image courtesty of Coca-cola conversations

Another artist is Haddon Sundblom who created the Yes Girl Coca Cola billboard and the Coca-Cola Santa. Sundblom was one of Coca-Cola's most prolific artists, painting everything from soda-fountain scenes to bathing beauties. During his peak period in the 1940s, he created at least half of all the Coke billboard art.

Photo shoots would be taken and then the artwork would be created. Interesting to note in these images that the swimsuit is by Jantzen. I wonder if they ever did any collaborative work?

This video shows some of the wonderful artwork created of the Coca Cola Girls over the years, Things really do go better with Coke. Enjoy.

Get the Look

noreply@blogger.com (Glamoursurf) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 08:00:00 PDT

This is one of my favorite photo's, I just adore the look. The hair, the sunglasses, the pose, the swimsuit (of course) and the shoes. Classic 1940s at the seaside.

The Beautiful Carole Lombard

noreply@blogger.com (Glamoursurf) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 10:04:00 PDT

Isn't she a pretty young thing? And the lucky gal was fortunate enough to have been married to William Powell and later to Clark Gable. She died suddenly in 1942, quite young at the age of 34, in a plane crash. She established herself in the late 20s as a Hollywood comedian and went on to have a film superb career.

How many divers?

noreply@blogger.com (Glamoursurf) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 06:36:00 PDT

Look closely at this photo. How many divers do you see? Hint: it's more than you think!

Wrong Time

noreply@blogger.com (Glamoursurf) — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 08:48:00 PDT

These two ads for Rolex caught my eye because of the visuals. Rudi Gernreich, check, cut outs, check. round sunglasses, check.

1968 Rolex Ad

Then there is this one from 2009. Again, love the look but sorry the text just doesn't support this ad. It reads "1927 The swimming of the English Channel. Rolex, for lifes defining moments."

Huh? First the whole swimsuit styling is out of context. Trudy Ederle was the first woman who conquered swimming the English Channel in a scandalous silk swimsuit with rubber swim cap and goggles. She was covered in sheep grease by her trainer Bill Burgess to help her skim through the water.

These were her goggles, now on display at the Smithsonian Institute. So somehow the Rolex ads, while visually appealing, just have it all wrong.

GlamourScoop - Vintage Swimwear Artist & Collector Jennie Pry

noreply@blogger.com (Glamoursurf) — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 08:55:00 PDT

I was contacted by an artist named Jennie Pry this week who creates some stunning artwork of vintage swimwear. She uses the swimsuit as her model and muse and is a fellow vintage swimwear collector. She has had several shows where she displays her art of vintage swimsuits and sometimes includes stories of the women who wore them. You can view more of her work on her website.

Jennie recently finished as an artist in Residence with the Australia maritime museum for the exhibition Exposed the story of swimwear. The exhibition highlights past and present swimwear designers and their work. The exhibition runs through October 25th and will then travel around to various museums in Australia.

"The bathing suits reveal particular moments in time from a past era – stages in individual women’s lives. Through the suits, we are drawn to understand more about the women who wore them, their body shape, their feelings about themselves, how they wanted to expose themselves and we imagine how their lives may have been lived, their intrigues and their hopes and aspirations."

"Just as the colour has faded from the suits and the shape and texture of the fabric has changed, so too has the lives of the women who wore them. Their bodies have altered and aged, their interests changed as their lives moved on. The suits remain the glamorous nostalgic, remnants of former lives."

Fabulous aren't they? Really, someone needs to sponsor me to go to Australia!

Strike a Pose

noreply@blogger.com (Glamoursurf) — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 07:10:00 PDT

Beauty on the beach. A lovely ballerina and a gymnast pose at the beach. I really adore these two shots just because they seem a bit out of their element to make the subjects interesting. And wouldn't it be interesting to see these gorgeous gals at the beach dancing and prancing around?

What's your Favorite Beach Accessory?

noreply@blogger.com (Glamoursurf) — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 10:06:00 PDT

Whats your favorite accessory for the beach? Well besides your swimsuit and tan we might suggest some of the following to help glamorize your beach beautifullness.

The fashionable swim cap.

And don't forget to protect your peeps with sunglasses.

Your cosmetics and grooming supplies.

Flippers, snorkel and mask.

Perhaps a beach poncho.

Fur, yes, fur.

The beach hat, scarf and shoes.

Seaweed is readily available.

Ohh, the matching cover up skirt.

Hair accessories and don't forget the jewelry!

Or the umbrella or parasol.

How about a beach ball?

The beach blanket or towel is a must.

Don't forget about the camera for capturing snaps.

The beach cover up and bag perhaps?

Or the cape!

Or if you're feeling festive cover yourself in playful balloons.

Va-Va-Voom Alix of Miami

noreply@blogger.com (Glamoursurf) — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 05:44:00 PDT

Alix of Miami is one of my favorite designers of swimwear. They also made glamourous cocktail dresses. This ad shows a fabulous swimsuit by them, securely satin. Always well made, va-va-voom details and lot's of sex appeal.

1958 Alix of Miami Advert

An illustration of the Alix of Miami plant in Florida.

This is a beautiful example of a Vintage 50's Alix of Miami swimsuit, listed now at Glamoursurf. And it comes with a matching black lace cover up.

We've got this sweet little bombshell dress in or GlamourSavvy shop right now too. Alix of Miami sarong style cocktail dress.

This is one that we sold a while ago. White lace with rhinestone accents on the shelf bust. Pretty no? Always in style and always sexy!

Tanning as a Fashion Accessory

noreply@blogger.com (Glamoursurf) — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 08:04:00 PDT

I really like the juxtaposition of these two photographs from the 1920s. Not only do they make a cultural statement about skin and modesty, they also capture how different parts of the world feel about sun worshiping.

A Japanese woman and her friend are the picture of modesty wading at the beach. Her pale skin is protected by a parasol.

Photo: Kiyoshi Sakamoto, 1928

In the United States though, people in the twenties were beginning to slip out of their clothes and into the sun. Tanned skin had become a fashionable accessory and beach side sunning booths, like this solarium in St. Petersburg Fl., touted the healthful effects of the sun.

Photo: Clifton Adams, 1929

I suppose mostly to this day the two different cultures are somewhat the same in regards to tanning and or sunning. While we might not have solariums like this anymore in the states, people still relish sunning their bodies at the beach and tanning salons have become big business.

But the effects of the sun on the skin have been well documented. If you do go out in the sun, please don't forget to use your sunscreen.

Two 40's Turbans to Knit

noreply@blogger.com (Glamoursurf) — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 08:38:00 PDT

One of my goals this season is to learn how to knit. When I try to teach myself with a book, things go horribly wrong. Perhaps there is a video out there that would be good for me to gain knowledge from. Somehow I just get all tangled up. And this is what I want to make first. I found the pattern on the V & A website, where you can look at many knitting patterns and download for free. I've included the pattern below, but the website has either word document of pdf, there are also many other 40's patterns to choose from. If anyone has a suggestion for me of a good site or video to view to try and help me make sense out of this pattern I'd love to hear about it.

KNIT YOURSELF A TURBAN (STOCKING STITCH)

Materials: 2 ounces of Paton Beehive Fingering, 3-ply; a pair of knitting pins No. 10.
Tension And Measurements: Worked at a tension of 7 sts. to the inch in width, the turban will fit a head measurement of 22 inches, but from these directions a cap of any size can be made, by repeating the sections accordingly. These form the skull-cap, and the bandeau is worked separately and sewn on.
Abbreviations (To Be Read Before Working): K., knit plain; p., purl; st., stitch; s.s., stocking-stitch (k. on right side and p. back).

To Work The Cap
Begin at the centre-front and cast on 40 sts., which determines the depth of the cap. K. 1 row into the back of the sts. * K. 18, turn and k. back ; k. 20, turn and k. back;. k. 22, turn and k. back.
K. 18 rows more in this way, working 2 sts. more on every alternate row, when all 40 sts. will have been worked.
Repeat from * 9 times more, then cast off.

The Bandeau
This is worked in bands in s.s., the first 12 rows having the purl side facing, and the next 8 rows the right side facing. Cast on 240 sts. and k. 1 row into the backs of the sts.
Work 12 rows in s.s., beginning with a p. row.
Work 8 rows, beginning with a k. row and ending with a p. row.
Work 8 rows, beginning with a p. row. Repeat the last 16 rows once more, then 4 rows more on the last band. Cast off loosely.
Note that the 3 rolls with the p. side facing form the right side of the bandeau.

To Make up the Turban
With the same wool sew the cast-on edge to the cast-off edge of the cap, be-ginning at the face edge, then run through the sts. at the centre, and draw up. Place the cap on the head with the seam at centre-front, and pin the centre of the bandeau to the centre-back of cap. Bring an end round each side and twist once at the front; carry the ends back and sew them under the band about level with the ears. Take care to keep the 3 p. rolls uppermost. Stitch the lowest roll loosely to the cap edge, leaving about 2 inches unattached under the front twist. At the back loosely stitch the second k. band to the cap.

KNIT YOURSELF A TURBAN (MOSS-STITCH)

Materials: 3 ounces of Patons Beehive Fingering, 2-ply (used double throughout); a pair of knitting pins, No. 10.
Tension And Measurements: Worked at a tension of 7 sts. to the inch in width, the turban will fit a head measurement of 23 inches, but this is easily adjusted to smaller heads by working fewer increase rows and gusset rows, on the cap, and also on .the twisted band. The cap portion . should therefore be fitted before working the straight ends.
Abbreviations (To Be Read Before Working): K., knit plain; p., purl; st., stitch; tog., together; inc., increase (by working into the front and ,back of the same st.); m.s., moss-stitch (k. 1 and p. 1 alternately, and on subsequent rows the sts. are reversed). Directions in brackets are worked the number of times stated after the brackets.

To Work The First Half
Cast on 22 sts. for the centre of the back head part.
1st row: (K.1, p.1) 11 times.
2nd row: P. 1, (k. 1, p. 1) 10 times, inc.
3rd row: Cast on 2 sts., m.s. to end.
4th row: M.s. until 1 st. remains, inc.
Repeat the 3rd and 4th rows twice more, then the 3rd row again. (34 sts.)
Work 11 rows in m.s., increasing 1 st. at the shaped end on every row. (45 sts.)
Now inc, 1 st. at the end (shaped end) of the next 6 alternate rows. (51 sts.)
Work 1 row more. * M.s. 24, turn, m.s. 24 ; m.s., 27, turn, m.s. 27 ; m.s. 30, turn, m.s. 30; m.s. 33, turn, m.s. 33 m.s. 36, turn, m.s. 36; m.s. 39, turn, m.s. 39 ; m.s. 41, turn, m.s. 41 ; m.s. 43, turn, m.s. 43; m.s. 45, turn, m.s. 45; M.S. 47, turn, m.s. 47; m.s. 49, turn, m.s. 49.** Work 2 rows in m.s. on the 51 sts., then work from ** backwards to *. Work 1 row more. ***Work 2 sts. tog. at the beginning (shaped edge) of the next row and following 2 alternate rows. Work 3 rows straight.
Repeat the last 8 rows from *** 5 times more and the first
3 rows again, when 31 sts. will remain.
Work 106 rows straight in m.s., then cast off.
Work a second half exactly the same. These two halves are then ready to be joined together.

To Make Up The Turban
Sew the cast-on edges and the shaped edges together in one line for the centre head seam, then fasten off, leaving the long straight parts free. This makes the cap part of the turban. Join the cast-off ends of the tie part, so that you now have a loop at the other end of the cap.
Press the turban with a hot iron over a damp cloth.

To wear the turban, place the cap part on your head so that the loop end is over the fore-head and the cap fits snugly at the back. Then twist the loop close to the head, and, holding the knot thus made firmly in place, fold the loop back over the head so that it makes a turban effect round the edge of the cap and fits the head comfortably.

noreply@blogger.com (Glamoursurf) — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 09:07:00 PDT

Columbia College Chicago, Museum of Contemporary Photography has a wonderful collection of images on thier website that is searchable by artist, title or keyword. These swimsuit images are by photographer artist Louise Dahl-Wolf.

Nude in the Desert - Louise Dahl Wolf - 1948

Jean Patchett with Map in Spain - Louise Dahl Wolf - 1953

Rubber Bathing Suit, California - Louise Dahl Wolf - 1940

Louise Dahl Wolf 1940s

Twins at the Beach - Louise Dahl Wolf - 1955

Night Bathing - Louise Dahl Wolf - 1939

Natelie by Pool Louise Dahl Wolf 1986

More 60s Swimwear

noreply@blogger.com (Glamoursurf) — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 09:38:00 PDT

Annette Funicello, the 60's wouldn't be complete without a mention of her. And other than her role as a mouseketeer, this is how I always remember her. At the beach or in some sort of swimsuit.
Love this shot. The skirted bikini is by Givency from 1969. It just works so well together paired with the floppy hat.
This image is from 1953 and I would bet that is a Claire McCardell or Josete Walker swimsuit.

More aqua beauties from the 1960s. I'll be the young gal in the background is wishing she has one of those tutu's. The gloves are an added twist.

Space age fashions were big in the 60s. This swimsuit comes complete with socks and a helmet.

noreply@blogger.com (Glamoursurf) — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 06:21:00 PDT

Let's spend some time in the 60s this week. The Beatles, Twiggy, Mary Quant, the Kennedy's, hippies, the mini, space age materials, boots, and oh yes, the bikini...

Total 60's bouffant, bongo's and leopard.

Love the cut outs on this DeWeese. And note how the arm jewelry and hair scarf complete the look!
Hats are always wonderful to wear at the beach. This gal has a toned body!

Do things really go better with coke?

Petal-licious bikini!

And can you guess who this bombshell is? If no one guesses correctly I'll identify her tomorrow. Times up, this is Stella Stevens.

Irving Penn Master Photographer

noreply@blogger.com (Glamoursurf) — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 07:25:00 PDT

Irving Penn passed away this week at the age of 92. I remember as a child purchasing a coffee table book for my father of his work. My dad has always enjoyed the art of photography and Irving Penn was one of his favorites. There is a wonderful write up of his life located here. RIP Irving.

Jerry Hall & Michele Stevens

Guns, Girls and Bikinis

noreply@blogger.com (Glamoursurf) — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 04:54:00 PDT

Not such an unlikely pairing when it comes to Bond, James Bond. I'm not sure who the artists were that created these movie posters, but they all have the same subject matter. James
Bond of course, but always, guns, girls and swimwear.

Sir Thomas Sean Connery, better know as Sean Connery, played the part of James Bond in 7 films between 1962-1983.

Sean Connery, George Lazenby, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan, Roger Moore and Daniel Craig have all played the Role of James Bond. Our favorite portrayal is still Sean Connery, how about you?

Rolf Armstrong - Pin-Up Artist of the Good Girls

noreply@blogger.com (Glamoursurf) — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 06:34:00 PDT

Today we look at another pin up artist of lovely girls in swimwear, Rolf Armstrong.

Rolf Armstrong (1889 - 1960) was a pinup artist of the 'good girls'. He was born in Michigan and studied art at the Art Institute of Chicago. From there he traveled to New York and studied with Robert Henri. After that he traveled to Paris to study at Academie Julian and then returned to New York to set up a studio where he began to paint the Ziegfeld Follies girls.

So Nice - 1957

During the 1920s and 30s he began producing artwork for magazines with some of his models being Mary Pickford, Greta Garbo, Marlene Dietrich and Kathrine Hepburn. He produced calendars, magazine covers and advertisements to promote products. He died in Oahu, Hawaii. This is a picture of him in Hawaii painting in the outdoors which he preferred for the natural lighting.

There is a book out on his art called 'The Dream Girls'. You can find it here.