You hit me with a flower

A small sample from a Bridal fashion photography book printed in 1984.



A sad bride.


Diana, princess of Wales, not much is better than her whole ensemble.


Grace Coddington in the early 60s.

Vicky says yes to this little dress

The little dress is made of Terylene and is the design of Bernard Freres. I really wish that there was something that could hold the structure of Terylene but not soak up sweat the way it does.


Moon printed dress by Jane&Jane.



Easily one of the best fashion photographs of the 60s - the model's empty stare, deep in thought, clasping an abused library copy of Wood's Illustrated Natural History and a microscope to her chest.


Gracy Coddington, one of the best models of the 60s, biting her lip, adorned by a cap by Simone Mirman.

I'll be the parcel if you'll be my sorter

Gia on one of those rare (and all too brief) fashion shoots when her James Deam quality was tangible. Bracelets by Robert Lee Morris.


Necklace by Cara Croninger.


Possibly one of the last Dior ads shot by Chris von Wangenheim.


The pirate look of 1981.

The heart of the 60s

A wonderfully sincere set of looks distinctive of the early 60s.









Jean Shrimpton in Guy Laroche.

Caped and crazy

Stunning shot by Scavullo.


Lanvin powder, it was meant to be.


A bikini that according to the caption "resembles a dream blurred garden". By Cole of California.


Snow flake pin by Richelieu.

Jumpsuits - not just for fun

In an editorial devoted to Thierry Mugler and Charles Jordan, this image stands out with the undeniably fearsome Mugler jumpsuit, the Charles Jordan sandals and the equally Mugler Guillet sun glasses.



Kerry Warn did the hair for this editorial but what I want to know is who got that crystal on the set. A gorgeous and appropriate prop.


When in doubt, hug a tree. And try do to it wearing a lycra Enrico Coveri swimsuit from 1979.


André Malraux, the art enthusiast and politician - a renaissance man. Here in a shot from 1933.

1972: Hybrid dressing

A refreshing bicolor halter culotte by Irene Galitzine from the fall of 1972. Perhaps this dress symbolizes this year in fashion - still with fragments of the most frivolous period in recent fashion history (the late 60s) but approaching the harder take-charge image right around the corner.



This yellow orgy is a stark contrast to the sleek elegance of the Galitzini dress. Instead it has the hallmark style of the progressive earth mother style that was quite common in the early to mid 70s. Quoting from the caption of the image: "You can do anything you want with the yellows now, but you can never ignore them again."


Again, this ensemble shows a play on contrasts, namely the strong geometric pattern that goes well together with the lingon berry like necklace.


Delectable thread ad.

Some moments are pure gold

Search and ye shall find - a little golden pack of cigarettes in this image - the picture of tranquil bliss and perfection. Not a common theme in cigarette ads - but they say it's a special filter...




This ad for beauteous shoes is entitled "Leather on a Roman holiday" - sounds good doesn't it?



Gorgeous bag of unknown origin.


Ing-Marie Lamyn in an outfit I think is by Jane Cattlin.

All I can say is that the velvet underground is great

Behold this fun Coty ad featuring Ingrid Boulting to the right and another great model.

Dance the ghost

In the editorial from 1973 that this image stems from, Grace Coddington makes a beautiful appearance as a model. She is wearing a wrap Jean Muir dress in a hotel room at the Savoy.


Marbles as a scarf by Marbles, leather gloves by Bill Gibb and a lovely lighter by Zippo.


Furred and laced black ankle leather boots by Moya Bowler and black fleur-de-lys tights.


An example of a 70s worker's lunch.

1963: A watershed year in fashion photography

1963, the year all these images come from, is in many ways a watershed year in fashion photography. Some of the first more modern looking images come from that year, and not only those produced by the brits. To put it simply, the images and the clothes started to loosen up significantly.

A hyperfocused stare in a beauty ad.


Snejana look-alike in chinchilla scarf by Ben Kahn.



Sweater dress by David Crystal, scarf by Vera.



Clogs galore with the best that Bonwit Teller had to offer from Gus Mayer, Joseph Magnin and Herbert Levine.

Did you wear a black armband when they shot the man

At this very moment it is 25 years ago that the relatives of prime minister of Sweden, Olof Palme, were informed he had been shot dead in the heart of Stockholm. I wont bore you with my political opinions - but I will say that his death was a great tragedy for the Swedish people.

The images of him also shows the beauty of expression and intelligence. Without that, physical perfection is only boring.

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.