Jane Russell turns 88

The eternally beautiful Jane Russell turns 88 today! I had the pleasure of seeing the living legend in person a few years back in Los Angeles at the Aero Theatre's Jane Russell Double Feature of Gentleman Prefer Blondes and Son of Paleface. Jane showed up unexpectedly for a Q & A and was very candid and pleasant. At the time she was living in New Mexico and involved with adoption charities. Still statuesque and elegant, she was visibly flattered at the overwhelmingly amorous response the audience gave her. If you can, pick up Jane Russell: My Path and My Detours : An Autobiography, fantastic read!

Happy Birthday Jane!

last photo by Getty images

Dolce & Gabbana Fall 2009

Italian designers Dolce & Gabbana relied heavily on 30's, 40's and 50's references for their Fall 2009 Ready-to-Wear and D&G collections. For the Dolce & Gabbana collection, signature elements were seen such as ballooning shape and shocking pink often used by Elsa Schiaparelli, one of the Golden Era's prominent eccentric designers. Some of the stand out pieces were silk dresses with Marilyn Monroe prints.

The D&G show was held at Cinema Metropol in Milan, the theatre where Maria Callas recorded Bellini's Norma in 1954. Her spirit never left it seems, as the severely romantic Opera Star was their muse and inspiration. So much so, her face is seen on some of the pieces, as are playbills for classic Italian Operas including Verdi's La Traviata and Bellini's I Puritani. Bellissimo!

Dolce & Gabbana

D&G

photos Style.com

Unseen Marilyn Monroe

Tamela D'Amico informed me of some recently published, but never seen before photos of Marilyn Monroe taken when she was just 24 years old and starting out in Hollywood.

Life.com discovered these lost and rare images taken of Marilyn in Los Angeles' beautiful Griffith Park~ the same park where a young Jean Harlow once posed nude at the beginning of her career.

Life photographer Ed Clark shot this series in 1950 and were supposedly taken for a Life cover that was never used. At the time of the shoot, Marilyn had just starred in The Asphalt Jungle.

There are 15 lovely pictures here! Also, on the 15th photo, click the link below the image for even more Marilyn!

photos by Ed Clark/Life Pictures/Getty Images

Deleted Gentleman Prefer Blondes

My new favorite blog Paris Atelier, posted this glorious photo from a deleted musical scene in Gentleman Prefer Blondes. I also found the photo below while trying to find more information on the scene; the song is called "Four French Dances". Thank you Judith!

Tommy Guns NYC

I recently discovered a wonderful establishment; a salon with a vintage twist. Tommy Guns NYC parlor is nestled within the Lower East Side which only adds to it's turn of the century charm! The proprietor is a dapper fellow and stylist named Russell, who tells me that after a string of successful Tommy Guns salons in London, he decided to bring his art and vision to the States. I asked him if he thinks that he will expand more, adding that Los Angeles would benefit from a real vintage inspired salon, and he replied that he wasn't sure yet and he wanted to continue to nurture the NYC location. After two years, it certainly has become a popular hotspot for celebrities and industry professionals!

If you are in need of styling, I encourage you to make an appointment. Not only will you receive tremendous service, but you can bask in the beautiful industrial era surroundings! Check website for more information. Many thanks to Russell and staff!

This first set are promo pictures that Russell sent.

I took some more pictures, as I love details! Click on image for better view!

http://www.tommygunsny.com/
http://www.tommyguns.com/