Get the Look: Emma Peel

I think I may have seen one or two Avengers episodes as a child, and I remember how funny, bright and eccentric everything seemed. Fast forward to college when a fellow musician walked up to me and said I looked like Mrs. Peel. I stayed up to 2AM to see reruns of the show and loved it; I just had to know everything about Mrs. Peel and John Steed, my favorite of The Avengers.

Since then, even with a somewhat vague appearance connection, I like to think, act, speak and even dress like Emma Peel, at least some of the time...like when I need to foil some diabolical mastermind. She is my heroine extraordinaire.

Emma Peel's fashions evolved in her 1965-67 stint on the show, starting where Honor Blackman's Cathy Gale character had left off, with pretty but rather conventional 60s clothing, and a solid dose of black leather. Then came inventive styles by John Bates, and later Alun Hughes. Bates created haute mod black and white get-ups, and mini skirts before they had become mainstream. Later she was known for wearing Hughes' bright stretch knit (crimplene) "fighting suits," used for her highly accomplished martial arts and fencing scenes.









A few choices from the members of the Vintage Fashion Guild, where Mrs. Peel's style is the subject of this week's Fashion Parade:

60s gold legging boots from Poppy's Vintage Clothing, 60s mod wraparound sunglasses from The Spectrum, 60s red wool pants suit from Vintage Devotion, black and white striped mod mini from The Vintage Merchant (available this weekend)

Some items in my shops that seem good for both a karate kick and a glass of champagne:

Tan plaid pants suit by Howard Wolf, 60s Kimberly knit suit

Early 70s Blue and yellow knit athletic suit, Bonnie Cashin for Ballantyne cashmere sweater

60s purple houndstooth suit, Mod-look 80s knit dress

60s mini dress and jacket, 60s Mod wool dress

60s Lilli Ann coat & shift, 60s silver vinyl raincoat

Dream Girls: Girl Groups of the Sixties

Every week, the Vintage Fashion Guild has a fashion parade, where trade members show off their finds suited to the week's theme. I'm part of the committee that comes up with these themes, and last week's was one of my favorites. This is what I wrote for the VFG parade, Dream Girls.

Starting with Please Mr. Postman the big 1961 Motown crossover hit by The Marvelettes, girl groups ruled in the 1960s.



The Ronettes, Martha and The Vandellas, The Shirelles, The Cookies, The Velvelettes, The Shangri-Las, and of course The Supremes, brought coordinated images and harmonies to pop music.



Speaking of the The Supremes, veteran music critic Susan Whitall said of seeing the group on the Ed Sullivan Show, “they were just such beautiful girls in these beautiful gowns, singing the music that I was listening to all week on the radio.” They were among the first black musicians to appear on that influential show.



Ranging in style from elaborate evening gowns to tight leather pants, each 60s girl group had an image to uphold, always coordinating...and usually with big hair and thick eyeliner.

Martha and the Vandellas

The Ronettes

The Marvelettes

The Shangri-las

The Supremes

Some of my fellow VFGers’ choices for getting the girl group look...see all the choices in the VFG forums.



60s beaded gold lamé dress from Poppy's Vintage Clothing, 60s rhinestone and bead dangling earrings from The Spectrum, 60s checkerboard beaded & sequined top from Mags Rags, 60s gold lamé cape and pants set from Viva Vintage Clothing, 60s black chiffon and sequined party dress from Poppy's Vintage Clothing, 60s ice blue sheath with dangling beads from Mags Rags.



A little more inspiration, Etsy-style







And the best inspiration, the groups themselves



























Read more about the real dream girls at Smithosonianmag.com

Get the Look: Audrey Hepburn

I get a little emotional around Audrey Hepburn. Not only was she one of the most unusually beautiful women on screen, but her true nature was unusually beautiful as well.

Look at her just being herself in this screen test from 1953...the one that landed her the role in Roman Holiday.



In considering how to emulate her look, I have chosen a small wardrobe of vintage items that seem to really express the style of Audrey Hepburn:



1. A perfect Little Black Dress

You know the inspiration, and how perfect can you get, both Givenchy dress and characterful woman?







2. While we're at it, fabulous sunglasses

Make them big, and black.









3. A neat and high quality handbag











4. A statement hat

Just google "Audrey Hepburn hat" images...wow.








5. Flats

How else to do that modern dance in Funny Face?








6. A black turtleneck

Ditto









7. A gorgeous evening gown

Here you have a number of inspiring images to choose from, many by Givenchy, all completely elegant.







8. And you'll need long gloves to wear with that gown







9. A wonderful quality 60s suit

Charade features a number of Givenchy suits and coats in strong colors and perfect cuts.




10. Some awe-inspiring jewelry

Audrey's regal side showed (for the first of many times) in Roman Holiday.







11. A white shirt and capris

Keep it classic and you will never be out of style, just as Audrey always seems absolutely perfect.





This week I have been photographing a few vintage classics, inspired by Audrey Hepburn. Also, stop by the Vintage Fashion Guild to see the amazing items members posted in this week's Fashion Parade on the same subject.

50s navy wool suit and 60s white raffia hat; cream 60s coat in my web store

70s classic raincoat and 50s novelty print full skirt

60s black/white stripe knit top and chartreuse leather flats

50s black satin dress, black velvet bolero and white long gloves

I can't begin to write the last word on Audrey...I feel barely capable of writing the first word, but I have an overwhelming feeling that what made her an extraordinary actress and beautiful person came from inside her. We can all gain inspiration not only from her grace and elegance, but the fun she seemed to have, her curiosity, and her generosity, concern and love for others.

Get the Look: The Thin Man, 1934

Nora, Asta and Nick

This week, the Vintage Fashion Guild featured members showing off their best Thin Man looks. As I wrote for this "Get the Look" feature,

Suave, witty, stylish and charming…if you haven’t yet met Nick and Nora Charles (inimitably created by William Powell and Myrna Loy) you must see The Thin Man movies. This week we pull from our 1930-40s collections to bring you our very best Nick and Nora looks.

Night and day, The Charles' looks were unmistakably elegant and fashionable.

If you really haven't met Nick and Nora Charles, and their wonder dog Asta, allow me to introduce you.

Without a doubt, the finest of the 6-part Thin Man series of movies is the original, dating from 1934. Based on the detective novel by Dashiell Hammett, the movie is a mystery and a comedy in equal parts...fueled by copious alcohol and wit. This video shows a few of the quintessential Nick and Nora scenes from the first two movies in the series.



It isn't easy finding 1930s clothing and accessories now, but leave it to VFG members (and their deep inventories) to provide examples:

Bernard Weatherill Formal Tailcoat Suit from Glad Rags & Curios, 30s Nouveau Print Wide Silk Tie from The Spectrum, detail from 30s Black Velvet Bias Cut Formal Dress Gown from Mags Rags, 1930s Black Sheer Silk Chiffon Butterfly Nightgown from Daisy Fairbanks, Early Eisenberg Dress Clip-Unsigned from Linn's Collection, 1930s Peep Toe Strap Shoes Black Leather Cut Outs from Bettes Bargains, Felt Flowers Tilt Hat by New York Creations from Rue de la Paix, 1930s Art Deco Men's Smoking Lounging Robe Dressing Gown from Poppy's Vintage Clothing, Late 1930s Dressing Gown or Hostess Dress from Bonnie & Clyde's Treasure Trove Vintage

I've got a few 30s items available this week, including a lace evening dress and jacket, a day dress and a hostess gown.

Among my eBay offerings this week

Billie Holiday, style icon

Style icon? Wait, what about music icon?

Obviously Lady Day is an immortal musician, one of the most distinctive artistic voices of the 20th century. But this week I have turned to her for the inspiration she gives me with her style.

This week, the Vintage Fashion Guild featured members showing off their best clothing and accessories worthy of Billie Holiday. As I wrote for this "Get the Look" feature,

The most enduring image of Billie Holiday dates from around 1940: At the microphone, in a beautiful gown, gardenias in her hair, head thrown back. Explore her style with 40s rayon prints, dramatic, stage-worthy evening clothing, striking and exotic jewelry...and of course, flowers.

Here are some of the gorgeous items the VFG members show:

Vintage Layered Ruby Red Rhinestone Floral Bouquet Brooch from Catseye Vintage, 40s Vintage Black Rayon Dress Pink Beaded Accent from Mags Rags, Vintage 40s Beaded Black Crepe Peplum Evening Dress from The Spectrum, Vintage Early 40s Floral Rayon Dress with Peplum, from Poppy's Vintage Clothing, Vintage 60’s Black *Sparkling Sequin Swirls* Cocktail Party Dress from Hatfeathers Vintage, Pandora 1950's Black Suede Slingback Heels from Joules, Amber Rivoli Vintage AB Sparkle Brooch with Marguerite Glass Center from VintageinBohemia, 40s Beaded Illusion Bodice Black Crepe Dress from Viva Vintage Clothing.

I am trying to channel a more casual Billie with some 50s sundresses...and I couldn't resist trying out flowers in my hair.

All among my eBay offerings this week

If you want to try your hand at emulating the makeup of the 1940s Billie, I recommend the wonderful Face Forward by Kevyn Aucoin, who was a genius at translating the looks of iconic beauties for modern day women.

Victoire Charles, makeup by Kevyn Aucoin

I can't leave the subject of Billie Holiday without presenting one of my favorite of her performances available online, with an incredible line up of some of the greatest jazz musicians of all time (Fine and Mellow, 1957). She was obviously a beautiful person both inside and out, with a musical presence that transcends time, and style to match.