Glamour for Fall '08

I am so pleased to see classic glamour working it's way back into the collections this season! Baby Phat's Fall '08 line is inspired by art deco, flappers and Old Hollwood Glamour.

From Fashion Week Daily:
Kimora Lee Simmons whipped Roseland Ballroom into an art-deco frenzy, with modern-day flappers emerging in fringe, cloche hats, and plumed skirts. "Annabel Tollman did the styling," said Nylon's Dani Stahl, "which elevated it to a different level." The stylist's touch was evident in the Marlene Dietrich-esque lingerie--a new moment for Baby Phat. "Retro glam can go from the red carpet to the boudoir."

Gal in a Bowler? Yes please! White ruffled tuxedo shirt and dark talons. Chic and sharp.

Polka dot ascot and a tuxedo jacket. The epitome of suave.

Femine topper, masculine vest and garters. Delectable!

Ultra glam in a high neck sheer lace blouse. Bell cuffs add drama.

A bright color modernizes the classic fishnet, while geometric patterns make an Art Deco look.

The perfect flapper look! Bobbed hair, shift dress, swinging accessories and dark nails.

Check out the marcel waves!

The details are striking~ sequin applique, beaded cap, smokey ringed eyes and stained lips.

Dapper formal wear in dove grey.

Newsies! Love the tucked in sweater and high waisted trousers. Braces complete the look.

The bias cut of the gown, the draping at the waist is right off the silver screen. Film siren, yes?

A mosaic patterned clutch is definately art deco inspired.

It doesn't get better than a beautiful velvet smoking jacket with satin lapels.

The huge art deco earrings offset her cropped hair and the tweed shorts allow garters to peek through~ so cheeky!

Romantic waved hair, dark nails, big cocktail ring and a tortois shell cigarette holder. Vamp!

Top hat and bow tie.

A little peek of lingerie adds a twist to classic menswear.

The pinnacle of femme fatale. Smokey dark eyes and lips! My favorite.

photos courtesy of Getty Images

Manhattan Madness

The Metropolitan Room

The Metropolitan Room in New York City is an intimate, cabaret style venue that has seen the best performers grace it's stage. There are two singers who are set to debut there next month and I want to promote their performances, please show your support!

My personal favorite songbird, Tamela D'Amico is giving her east coast debut of her self entitled cd, The Tamela D'Amico Album Feb. 2nd, 7th, 8th and 9th. Tamela breathes new life into classic standards of the jazz and big band greats~ her powerful voice and charming stage presence are sure to please. Seeing her in this cozy, upfront atmosphere is something you do not want to miss!

Also playing at The Metropolitan Room is Nicole Dillenberg. A Los Angeles based jazz artist, Nicole will be performing songs from her new show The Popular Songs of World War One Feb. 24th and 25th. Nicole's warm voice is a perfect match for these lovely hits, so expect many classic tunes that were made popular during pre 1920's Americana, songs that were the basis for classic standards in broadway and jazz.

http://metropolitanroom.com/

http://www.tameladamico.com/
http://www.myspace.com/tameladamico

http://www.nicoledillenberg.com/
http://www.myspace.com/nicoledillenberg

New York City

Just before the New Year, I relocated from Los Angeles back to the East Coast. I am very excited to revisit old New York and the 'Old Hollywood Glamour' of it's past. Theatre, showgirls, the very first movie studios and the birth of television all got their start here before moving to Hollywood. New York is home to some of the finest Art Deco and turn of the century architecture, hot jazz legends and fashion and beauty houses. These fabled treasures are often hidden but deserve to be explored and appreciated. Here's to New York!

Ginger & The Crazy Rhythm Hot Society Orchestra

Los Angeles is home to an all around dynamic performer named Ginger. She is a triple threat and sings with The Crazy Rhythm Hot Society Orchestra, a hot 20's jazz orchestra. I was fortunate to see them perform at The Old Town Music Hall in El Segundo, CA, a movie house dedicated to showcasing silent films.

Ginger, decked out in her finest flapper wear, sang some of the most popular hits from the 20's and 30's including Duke Ellington and Cab Calloway. Listening to the band is like an effervescent nostalgia trip! One of the highlights was Ginger's rendition of Helen Kane's "Dangerous Nan McGrew" complete with flirty western wear. The Music Hall is a hidden gem and really added to their performance with it's lovely decor and lighting. Please check out all the links and give them support!







http://www.myspace.com/gingerpage
http://www.crazyrhythm.com/
http://www.otmh.org/

Jeanne Carmen

From AP News:

Pinup Girl Jeanne Carmen Dies
13 hours ago

IRVINE, Calif. (AP) — Jeanne Carmen, the "little country girl" who became a 1950s pinup and actress and hobnobbed with Frank Sinatra and other stars, has died. She was 77.

Carmen died of lymphoma Thursday at her Orange County home, said her son, Brandon James.

Born on Aug. 4, 1930, in Paragould, Ark., Carmen picked cotton with her family before running away at 13.

"I was just a little country girl that wanted to be a movie star," she told the Orange County Register in 1996.

Carmen was still a teenager when she came to New York and, despite having no show business experience, immediately became a dancer in a Broadway show called "Burlesque," with comic Burt Lahr.

She later went into modeling, gaining a measure of success with a series of cheesecake shots in men's magazines. One gig turned into a new career as a trick golfer. On tour with golfer Jack Redmond, she would perform stunts such as hitting a ball out of a man's mouth.

Carmen claimed that she later hustled golfers with Las Vegas mobster Johnny Roselli.

She came to Hollywood while still in her 20s, where she appeared in low-budget movies with such titles as "Guns Don't Argue" and "The Monster of Piedras Blancas."

Carmen also claimed to have had affairs with Sinatra and other celebrities.

She moved to Orange County in 1978.

In addition to her son, Carmen is survived by daughters Melinda Belli and Kellee Jade Campo, and three grandchildren.

I happened to see Jeanne Carmen two years ago at Michael Buble's concert at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles. She was beautiful~ hair piled high, knockout figure and stiletto heels. She was best friends with Marilyn Monroe and it's sad that Jeanne's career was mostly B movies. Supposedly there is a movie in the works about her life; would like to see who they get to star.

Vintage Inspired

I have been to many different vintage stores in the LA area, but one boutique in particular stands out~ Vintage Inspired in Mission Viejo, CA, about an hour from Los Angeles. I had gone in to check out their Besame Cosmetics collection, but got easily sidetracked with the other merchandise, the displays and the atmosphere.

The owner Laura wasn't there the day I visited but I did have the pleasure of chatting with Lindsay who is a real doll, and a vintage clothing designer as well! Lindsay took the time to tell me about the store and the collections they carry such as the ubiquitous Stop Starring! as well as modern labels. She also informed me of the many different events they host such as book signings, cocktail parties and performances. Lovely ladies such as Dita Von Teese, Jami Deadly and Bernie Dexter have all graced the store with their presence~ be it shopping or performing. The store is a go to for all the local Pin Up models and Burlesque performers as well as the retro and vintage enthusiast, men and women.

The store itself is a homey enclave, set up like your dream dressing room. What I think I adored the most, were the framed pictures of stars of the past, and even some modern pin up gals scattered about~ this made it feel so personal, like it was your own room. The coveted Besame Cosmetics are displayed and stocked on a beautiful vintage vanity. Every nook is filled with shelves or wardrobes bursting with the finest frocks and accoutrements or fun things for your home. There is a handsome gentlemen's area in the back that would make any man enjoy shopping! Thanks to Lindsay and Laura for being so welcoming and creating such a great shopping experience! Make sure you check out their sites and try to drop by if you can. Here are some photos to entice.

http://vintage-inspired.com/
http://www.myspace.com/vintage_inspired

Disney's First Studio

I was looking for a notary in my neighborhood, and was directed to a small unassuming printer and copy place at 4647 Kingswell Ave. in the Los Feliz area of Los Angeles. I began to notice a large amount of Disney artwork on the walls so I inquire about it. The woman at the desk explains to me that the store was Walt Disney's first studio in 1925; apparently he lived upstairs as well. I am not a huge Disney fan, but I love stumbling upon these little historical treasures!

Can't Get Enough of Joan

Donna, one of my readers, alerted me to her website The Films of Joan Crawford. By far, one of the most passionate and respectful sites dedicated to Joan. This highlights her film career as well as showcasing wonderful photo galleries~ many of which I have never seen before, trivia and other fascinating Joan-isms. Please check it out~ Thank you Donna!

George Westmore Research Library & Museum

UPDATE 5-19-09 The president of the Westmore Museum had me remove my tribute MySpace page, Westmores of Hollywood; as well as any licensed Westmore photos from this post.

The Westmore name is legendary within the makeup, hair and motion picture industry. George Westmore (1879-1931) founded the very first makeup and hair department at Metro Pictures in 1917. This was unheard of at the time as all actors applied their own cosmetics, wigs and costumes. He started off a wigmaker and hair stylist, but quickly added makeup artist to his repertoire. George was so in demand by the production agencies that he enlisted the help of his sons~ Mont, Perc, Ern, Wally, Bud and Frank~ who in time themselves would head up departments for every major studio in Hollywood! George's dedication and techniques set the standard for all artists working in the film industry, including the 4th generation of Westmore artists who still carry on his tradition of commitment, passion and excellence.

In 1981, Marvin Westmore (Mont's son) established the Westmore Academy of Cosmetic Arts in Burbank, CA. Billed as the 'First Name in Makeup Education', this couldn't be any more true. Marvin told me that he started working at age 16 for his uncles' House of Westmore Salon during the heyday of Hollywood's Golden Era (his mother made him do it!). Marvin grew to be an award winning artist like most of his family and is currently on the board of the hair and makeup artist's union, I.A.T.S.E. Local 706.

Nestled within the school, the George Westmore Research Library & Museum is in it's infantile stages of what will be an invaluable tool to all artists (and probably my new favorite hang out). I had the honor of taking a preview tour and chatting with Marvin about the history of his collection. Some of the memorabilia included many books and manuals on application and vintage cosmetics from the House of Westmore line, Max Factor and Marvin's own line. The products and tools were so beautiful, especially the packaging~ now that is glamour at it's finest! Adorning the walls were priceless family photographs and original advertising for the House of Westmore Cosmetic line. Also impressive were the tools for hair and wig styling. As aged and delicate as some of them looked, Marvin assured me they still work and demonstrated how they were used. He stated that back then, everyone had to learn both hair and makeup artistry. Another gem of information he shared with me was that he was planning on remaking a specific face brush, something that isn't used a lot today and that I will be first in line to get!

Marvin stated that he, and especially his niece Christy are working very hard to make sure the museum comes together. I could tell he was proud of his collection, and even though he is retired, he is still working running his sucessful school and family museum. Always a Westmore... I want to thank Marvin Westmore for being so charming and generous with his time, and to kind Christy for all her hard work on the Westmore projects! For additional history on the Westmore family, the 'Westmores of Hollywood' by Frank Westmore is a terrific read. If you are on MySpace, check out the page I made for them as well.

Sign for George Westmore's first shop, 1901

Hair-Dressing Saloon
82 HIGH STREET, NEWPORT, I.W.
(Next Door to the Baptist Chapel)

G.H. WESTMORE
Begs to inform the inhabitants of Newport and neighbourhood, that he has opened the above
premises as a FIRST-CLASS

Hair-dressing, Shaving & Shampooing
establishment and hopes by careful and prompt attention to business, combined with moderate charges to merit a share of support.

CAREFUL ATTENTION GIVEN TO THE
CUTTING OF CHILDREN'S HAIR.

HAIR WORK OF EVERY DESCRIPTION.

Ladie's Combings made up to any convenient design.

A STOCK OF TOILET REQUISITES.

82, HIGH STREET, next door to the Baptist Chapel.
Opened 1901.

http://www.westmoremuseum.com/
http://www.westmoreacademy.com/
http://www.myspace.com/westmoresofhollywood

Tamela D'Amico

Recently, I had the pleasure of doing makeup for chanteuse Tamela D'Amico. It was for her debut CD release party at the Catalina Jazz Club here in Hollywood. Tamela and I had met due to our mutual love of Old Hollywood Glamour and I had worked with her before, but I was most excited to see her perform live!

The Catalina was the perfect setting for this event~ a lovely supper club. I am not sure how she did it, but Tamela managed to squeeze her amazing big band onto the stage which did not deter their performance. She has worked with the best in the business and all of their hard work paid off that night! The place was packed full of friends, family and industry insiders out to show their support.

Tamela sang songs from her self titled CD such as "The Gentleman is a Dope" and "He's a Tramp" along with other standard favorites such as "Route 66". She also peppered the show with stories of her life and was quite charming. Her voice is powerful and lush and has a unique style that makes the standard classics her own. You can tell she is obviously passionate about her craft and has a genuine love of this genre of music and the era. Tamela has a stage presence that rivals the great songbirds of the past and has the pipes to go with it!

http://www.tameladamico.com/

http://www.myspace.com/tameladamico

http://www.catalinajazzcub.com/

To Powder Your Nose

May I direct you to one of my favorite sites, It'll Take The Snap Out Of Your Garters! Amy Jeanne did an amazing job compiling images of lovlies making themselves up~ heaven.