Golden is as golden does

Jerry Hall in 1976 for British Harper's Bazaar.

Jerry and Marie Helvin.

Yves Saint Laurent Rive gauche from the spring 1977 collection.

Lily pads and Grès

This ad did not run long enough, judging by the selection of magazines from 1977 that I have managed to get my hands on, to become a classic in the general sense, but to me it certainly is. The perfect bottle of Grès replacing the flower of the lily is simple but ingenious.



A less frequently featured image by Guy Bourdin.


Janice Dickinson in a tripple skirt by Basile.


Jerry Hall for Pinault.

Walk away in silence

Walter Albini's ads from the 70s appeared mostly in Italian publications and they were amazing. This one, however, is from Vogue Paris from 1977. The incredible colors and the daring nature of the ad - to have an ad for fashion where the garment itself can barely be seen - is very impressive.



One of those very early Gianni Versace ads - also, like the Albini ad above, with the theme of escape. Getting away from it all, even from the shoot, or the ad itself.


An YSL illustration.



On the go b/w Ducrot ad.

Of Goldfish and Ghosts

In this issue of VP stemming from May 1977, we're offered this stunning image featuring, I am quite sure, I most lavishly expensive lipstick and a goldfish. Shot by the inimitable master Bourdin.


Janice Dickinson on the town at the peak of her success.


As today is the day that winter has mercilessly grabbed hold of the country I live, nothing can be more heart warming than an image of the most luscious spring day.


This Dior dress gets some treatment in this editorial. It's ethereal qualities are brought out. It doesn't happen much these days.

Steel a heel this high

Carrie Nygren, another one of the Swedish models, dressed in a bare red satin halter and black satin harem pants by John Bates, complete with Cartier bangle and topped off by the black patent rouleau Manolo Blahniks of 1977.


Diamond and 18 carat ribbed gold bangle and crescent ring and an evening bag with diamond clasp, all form Kutchinsky. Suede shoes and angle chain from Pinet.


Louis Chiles equipped with a silky black dress checked with gold lurex by Hildebrand.


This lucky lady sports not only jewellery to die for but also a coat that is most delectable. First, then, she carries a diamond and 18 carat gold collar, estimated at £35,000 in 1977 as well as a fantastically cute double hearted diamond and gold ring from Graff (£25,000). All this glittering loveliness aside, it is Fendi's leather bound coral pink sheep skin that sells this for me.

Explosive is Your Dior

This famous shot by von Wangenheim for the Dior collection of 1977 makes you clamour for that year, doesn't it? Yearn for the days when artistic genius was something that brands boasted about rather than brushed under the rug for fear of disturbing delicate sensibilities.

Just imagine a young von Wangenheim discussing the ideas for the campaign this image comes from with a major brand today. This would be off the table immediately, of course, for "promoting violence".



This could be Jerry Hall because she does appear in the editorial this comes from. Regardless, this is a beautiful lingerie shot.


Geoffrey Beene ad that has one eagerly awaiting summer. This ad is a text book example of the great aspects of the 70s ads. The image is improbably compelling given the nature of the shades. And this despite the fact that large pores are showing by the model's scalp as well as a most uneven fake tan application. The hair is sweaty-looking and the mascara is somewhat clumped. But does it matter? Not one bit. Is this ad better than all ads published so far 2011? Indeed.


The desert - how can something that looks so good feel so bad....Do not plan this nap in the desert for your next excursion.

Scare the skies with tiger eyes

If I had to pick one ad series that was the best, I would, on most days, pick the Dior make-up ads by Serge Lutens. They were around from 1974 or so until the (very) early 80s. Louise Despointes is said to be the model in most (all?) of them. This is a beautiful example of this ad series. I never saw this in the American magazines of 1977 so chances are that it only ran in the European editions.

For whatever reason it is tradition that beauty advertisements contain nearly no pores at all - as some sort of example of impeccable perfection presumably. These ads are no exception to that philosophy but nonetheless the soul of the person (or what the person was asked to evoke) is captured in the image.



Some 1977 bridal hair complete with flowers in the hair and a frightened appearance.


Easy, breezy 70s lady on the beach in the south of France.



Possibly, just possibly, the most delectable Cacharel ad I have ever laid my eyes on. The embroidery is so lovely.

A sweet switchblade knife

Bitten Knudsen, effortlessly pulling you right through the lens, as she modeled Corum watches in 1977.




Jerry Hall with Halston bikini and a horse.



Juli Foster in a Giorgio Sant' Angelo sheer lace camisole and harem pants.



Some pretty perfume bottles from Elsa Peretti.

von Wangenheim Hair Now

Who doesn't want blonde raven's wing hair? The first two shots of Bitten and Juli Foster are by von Wangenheim, 1977.






Jaeger ad featuring, I think, Clothilde.


Patti Hansen working the rough looking, texture rich 70s hair.

Sometimes a stranger at her place

Celllini ad shot by Barry Lategan. Like all of these images from 1977.


Charles de Temple necklace.


Boots are good for combating rats, and nothing is better than Bally.


Marie Helvin with enough rubies to save a rain forest.

Take it like a man

Catherine Deneuve for Chanel No. 5 in 1977.


Patti Hansen, take-charge hug of '77 for Chanel No. 19.


Michelle Stevens with a nice catch in 1978.


"The American Woman" as visualized by Sasson in 1978.

Red Ahead

Now, Prada already revived this look recently, though not with the same rustic soles and cotton panties to match. All the images are from 1977.

Come on, you know you want to...

Put your fot in it, let your hair down and get some silken legs.









All shot by von Wangenheim in 1977.