My Vintage Wardrobe: Jeans

Kell

I have read in many a vintage blog and got the impression that Jeans are an article of clothing that seem not to be a standard favorite. Many vintage gals swear off jeans and to a certain extent I get why they do it. I assume they want to break away from the modern style of dressing and wear more obvious vintage inspired outfits.

But you see here is where I have the problem. You really can't get any more vintage than a pair of blue Jeans!

The earliest Jeans were made in 1852 for a young miner but it wasn't until 1873 by Jacob Davis, Levi Strauss, and Calvin Rogers created the patent for Jeans. They were originally designed for cowboys but became increasingly popular in the 1940's and 1950's-first among the working class and then among teenagers.

Women did not shy away from the use of Jeans in the 1940's and beyond. Many celebrities such as Grace Kelly, Elizabeth Taylor, and Marilyn Monroe wore them often and preferred the comfort and ease that they gave.

Jeans have changed in style throughout the years-in the 1940's they were styled like men's trousers, 1950's they were capri styled, 1960's cuffed, 1970's flared, etc. They have lasted and been around for almost 140 years and if they aren't vintage I really don't know what is!

For those who seek 1940's and 1950's reproduction Jeans you can find them at: Freddies of Pinewood, Vivien of Holloway, and Lily Scarlet. I hope to add a pair of 1940's reproduction Jeans one day to my daily vintage wardrobe. Until then, I hope this post inspired you to add some to yours!!

xox

Bunny's Book Club: Marilyn and Me

Lawrence Schiller, who is a photojournalist and author, recently published a book called Marilyn & Me. It is a collection of his memories and photos of Marilyn Monroe from her final film Somethings Got to Give in 1962. 

Mr. Schiller had an exhibit of his photos in the Steve Kasher Gallery located West 23rd Street in Manhattan. The exhibit ran from May 31st to June 30th, 2012. My husband and I meticulously planned a trip with the children to go see this amazing exhibit but due to my husband's accident and illness we never made it. But I personally think that its the thought that counts and I am so grateful he wanted to support me. In a way I feel like I didn't miss out even though of course it would have been great to see them in person. Luckily I own the book by Mr. Schiller and for all those true-blue MM fans, I defiantly recommend owning it.

I love reading the memories and stories of others and Mr. Schiller doesn't hold back a single thought, experience, or memory he had of Marilyn Monroe.

The Steve Kasher Gallery

Inside the gallery with one of the many photos of MM

My favorite of Mr. Schiller's photos of MM~1960

The talented man himself, Lawrence Schiller

I included a photo above of MM during the filming of Lets Make Love in 1960. It my favorite photo of her by Mr. Schiller and I am sure its one of his as well since he put it on the cover of his book. Mr. Schiller photographed MM from 1960 to 1962 and was there in her home the day they found her dead. 

He had a rare glimpse into her life. He witnessed RFK in her home, her turmoil with the studios, and her renewed love affair with Joe DiMaggio. And according to him, he feels as though MM did not take her own life but was rather entangled in something that led to her early demise. A theory that rings true in my own heart. 

Obviously I did not know MM personally but I must have read over eight or more books on her life and works. After a while you get a sense of a person and my senses told me long ago when I was just a teenage girl, that MM was full of life. She struggled with her demons like we all do but that she was not interested in dying young but rather in growing old.

I am so glad Mr. Schiller shared his experiences of MM in his book. You can sense a deep respect for her and a purely open candidness that is refreshing. And as a fan of MM, I can only say I truly appreciate his candor.

It is a light read that will leave you with a heavy heart. Mine just overflowed with even more adoration for the  woman known as Marilyn Monroe. Thank you Mr. Schiller!!

xox

Weekend Cinema Spotlight: The Public Enemy

"Public Enemy" (1931)

Ever wanted to know where the American gangster was born on film? Ever wanted to see what a tough guy really is like? Or wanted to know how a film's ending could be both shocking and riveting at the same time?

Well, James Cagney's first big role as Tom Powers is a role that defines the American gangster. Cagney plays Powers as a tough, no nonsense guy who doesn't forget where he comes from or the people he loves. Powers and his childhood friend, Matt Doyle (Edward Woods) slowly work their way up from petty crimes to becoming a leader of a gang.

One of the most infamous scenes in the film is when Powers has supposedly had enough of his girlfriend Kitty and takes a grapefruit and rubs it into her face. That may not seem so bad by today's standards but for 1931 that was pretty shocking. What was even more shocking is the story the actress Mae Clarke (who played Kitty) told about that scene. According to Clarke, she never knew Cagney was going to push the grapefruit into her face! That scene was spontaneous and Clarke's reaction was truly genuine!

After Powers leaves Kitty for good, he shacks up with a Gwen Allen played but the sultry Jean Harlow. Harlow would steals the scenes and leave you gasping for more.

Powers meeting Allen for the first time.

I wish I could say that this film has a happy ending but it has one that attempts a moral to the story. Eventually greed catches up to Powers and he....well....gets what is coming to him. It is an ending that you cannot miss! I remember the first time I saw it my mouth literally dropped! It totally caught me off guard! Remember when you watch this film that its 1931 not 2012--I think you will find many surprises in this little film and it will leave you talking about it long after you have finished watching it!

xox

Classic Film Actor Spotlight: July: James Cagney

Born James Frances Cagney, Jr in 1899 in the Lower East Side of Manhattan to parents of Irish descent. He was the second of seven children and attributed his health problems to their poverty. He graduated from High School in 1918 and went to Columbia College of Columbia University where he studied German. Unfortunately he dropped out after one semester. 

He held various jobs and was even a really good street fighter. By 1919 he was tap dancing his way in theatre productions. He continued to build a stage presence before he landed his first on screen role in 1930's Sinners Holiday~a crime drama which also starred Joan Blondell.

And so Cagney's career began a succession of gangster movie hits. His first big hit was in 1931, The Public Enemy. I will be spotlighting this film this month for all of you-it is a must see Cagney film! He continued to do gangster films throughout the 1930's and even tried comedy in 1938 in Boy Meets Girl. It was met with mixed reviews because audiences grew accustomed to seeing Cagney in tough guy roles. He often collaborated with Humphrey Bogart and Pat O'Brien.

It ins in his Oscar winning performance in Yankee Doodle Dandy (1942) where he shows the world and all of Hollywood exactly what he was made of. Cagney acts, sings, and dances in this American  biographical musical playing the role of real-life American song & dance man, George M. Cohan.

He continued to act and perform until 1981 and retired at the ripe young age of eight-one! He is best known for gangster roles and there is no doubt that the tough guy image on screen forever changed Hollywood. But he would star in so many other films and really shine in many other roles other than a tough guy. Some examples are in; The Fighting 69th (1940), Mister Roberts (1955), and Man of a Thousand Faces (1957).

There is little to be said about Cagney personal life. He was married to Frances Vernon in 1922, with whom he remained with for the rest of his life. He was a very private man and spent his life out of the spotlight. Something you don't often see in today's modern Hollywood.

He had two children that were adopted, both who have since passed. He owned his own piece of land and enjoyed farming and horses. He was also an avid sailor and a painter. He passed on in 1986 at the age of eighty-six and left behind a rich and diverse collection of film that we can enjoy over and over.

Cagney was one of a kind and his contributions to film still resonate today.

xox

Unknowingly Living a 1940's Life

Spending a few days sicky-pooh in bed gave me a chance to think about a few things. I woke up one feverish morning and had an ah-ha! moment.........

I think for five years I have unknowingly been living a 1940's life!

Now there are many things I do not do (or know how to do) that a traditional 1940's woman or housewife would have known how to do. I don't know how to "mend and make do". I have no clue how to make an apple pie. I don't know how to crochet or knit, and home cooked meals happen about three times a week, if I am lucky.

When I became a stay at home mom I didn't have any guidelines to follow. Both my mother and grandmother were already gone for so many years and I really didn't have any other females in my life that were knowledgeable about things like that. I did join a moms group online but unfortunately found women to be caddy and competitive.

Through the years I have found my own way of doing things and I'm still figuring out some other things. I still have a lot to learn!

Now why would I say I realized I was living a 1940's life? Well, its because I feel as though my family and I (although I know we are not alone and also not everyone is feeling the hurt of the bad economy) have been living a life of rationing, couponing, swapping, selling, bartering, and cut backs---one after another. I was not born rich but I wasn't born dirt poor. I mean looking back I feel in many ways we were but I always remember that others have it worse. So I grew up without a lot and well things haven't changed much. I mean we have a house and a car but we have to live every day very carefully and very planned.

We live without a lot. Most people have fancy cell phones-we have only one that is 25 dollars a month talk and text only. We have no cable and use internet for Netflix to watch movies for the kids. We buy minimal food and minimal everything else. Basically we are careful. I feel like women in the 40's especially during the War had to watch everything they bought very carefully, they had to plan meals around what they could buy, and wear what they could get their hands on. My God I feel like one of those women!

Parties for the kids have had to be more creative as well to cut costs (of course this has to be done at 2am LOL). Gifts during the holidays and birthdays have also gotten more creative and minimal. Everything that I have that is geared to my vintage life  have either been thrifted, swapped for, gifted (ie Birthday/Christmas), or I have sold things in order to get it.

Just yesterday I received my order of my very first vintage dress from the 1950's. I scored it with a coupon on etsy for 35 dollars! I cannot wait to show you all! I was able to purchase it because I sold a few things on ebay. I decided recently to focus more on my wardrobe and my hair practice than photo shoots for the time being and let me tell you how amazing it felt to have that dress in my hands. But then women in the 40's couldn't normally afford a new dress every week, having a new dress was a treat for them just like its been a treat for me.

So many little things I find I can relate to the women of that generation. The struggles they had to face especially while their men were at war (my husband is away a lot with his two jobs), the cunning and creative ways they had to come up with for dinners, parties, and holidays. And lets not forget doing all that and trying to keep your household nice looking, clean, making sure your children have all their needs met, and meeting your own needs all on a tight budget and sometimes on a budget that doesn't exist at all!

Someday I'd like to live in the thriving 1950's but until then I am going to keep on keeping on my 1940's  world! *wink*

xox