Issue VI Holiday 2014
Get Gifty with our
2014 Gift Guide
toe tap ...to a new
holiday tune the best of
Rockabilly Shopping
Decodence to-die-for holiday glam
contents
Issue VI Holiday 2014
28 It’s here!
43
2014 Gift Guide
Pomade Review
33 Tune into a new Christmas classic FEATURES 5
Put Your Cat Clothes On We rounded up the best rockabilly clothing brands...so you can step out in style
28
2014 Holiday Gift Guide The big holiday gift guide is back!
33
Christmas Classics Reimagined Turn one of these unexpected holiday tunes into a perennial Christmas favorite
!
LIFESTYLE 19 37 43
ON THE COVER Model: Kitty Kadillac; Megan Addie Photography
Katherine’s Closet Fashion-torial: DECOdence with Nina Holy Review: Suavecito & Suavecita Pomade
Get your vintage on at VintageVilleMag.com Vintagevillemagazine VintageVille Mag
5
37 DECOdence
holiday glamour
The best of rockabilly looks
45 Challah made easy REGULARS 3 25 42 45 23 47
Editor’s Note Take 2: Recreate the Looks in The Sting Color Crush Recipe: Challah Covet: Gasp-Worthy Vintage Finds Runway Roundup
staff Executive Editor Managing Editor Contributing Writer Columnists Design Contributing Photography
Emily Lux Jon Hechtman Lee Powell The Glamorous Housewife Another Man’s Treasure Daphne Drake EHL Creative JH Studios
Megan Addie Photography
© 2014 VintageVille Magazine and EHL Creative LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Editor’s Note
What a year! VintageVille Magazine is officially one year old...and we have you to thank! Our sincerest thank you for sharing in our love of vintage. This issue is brimming with lots of holiday cheer. Find the perfect pressie with the help of our gift list on page 28. Or discover a new fashion favorite with our rockabilly dressing guide on page 5. Or how about a new tune to rock out to? Just flip to page 33. Here’s to another great year! Until next time,
Emily Lux, Editor
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www.bif fandbet tys.etsy .com
Cause tonight we're gonna really rock it right Yeah Kitty, put your cat clothes on 'Cause tonight we're gonna really bop it right Rock it! “Put Your Cat Clothes On” Carl Perkins, Sun Records
Rumble 59 – Black Marilyn and Leo Blouse
❉
! Put Your
Cat Clothes On
By Lee Powell If you’re involved in any particular scene, you know that clothing and fashion play a huge role. Your style immediately identifies your personal affinities, but it also facilitates an allegiance with people who have similar tastes and interests. The vintage scene is no different from any other, with numerous sub-cultures being umbrella’d into one collective group. And within this category, one of the most prominent and instantly recognizable genres is that of the rockabilly. Yet even this genre can be split down further, into greasers, rockers and teddyboys. Each has its own unique traits, often cross-pollinating one another, but still happily coexisting under the title of rockabilly. Within this collective grouping, clothing is a hugely significant part of the scene – you might say that it falls only slightly behind music as a common identifier. In fact, it’s not uncommon for new members of the scene to be drawn to the style before discovering the music. To each their own – however they end up here, the important thing is that they’re here. Long live the rockabilly!
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One of the main draws of the modern rockabilly fashion scene is to emulate the cool chicness of the original 1950’s designs. Whether we’re talking about lavish swing dresses or turned-up raw denims, the vast majority of both males and females within the scene strive to create that perfect 1950’s look. Now we all know there is nothing better than whiling away hour after hour looking for that perfect piece of period clothing. And over the past few years the Internet has become a Godsend for vintage lovers, with sites like ebay and etsy listing thousands of original 1950’s clothing items from both the US and the UK. In addition, numerous specialty vintage shops have sprung up at a tremendous rate, carrying a dizzying array of garments for the discerning rockabilly enthusiast to drool over. And don’t forget the vintage fairs, which have become a massively popular modern phenomenon over the last few years. Previously these were few and far between; but it now seems that there’s one every other weekend, often within easy traveling distance. All of these sources offer many, many positive options when you find yourself searching for that perfect item of clothing; and the movement of retro clothing around the globe has become remarkably easy, making it less of a ‘mission impossible’ to find the specific item you’re after.
Then there’s the question of condition. Clothing that is 60+ years old is bound to show some signs of age; and if an item was worn and loved, it may well need some kind of repair. Now you may be fine with sewing a button on a top. But how confident are you in undertaking major repairs?
However, for all of the positive qualities of original period and retro clothing, there are also a number of less positive factors which must be considered when seeking or purchasing such items. Firstly, and perhaps most importantly, there’s the matter of price. Nowadays rare retro clothing is often rather expensive; sellers know there’s a market for it, and spend hour after hour sifting through thrift and charity shops, markets, garage sales and anywhere else they may uncover a hidden gem. That means the rest of us, who don’t have that same time to spare, have no other opinion than to fork out the sellers’ asking price. The reality is that the chance of finding that perfect item for a bargain price is all but non-existent.
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Above: Freddies of Pinewood – Dungaree Dolls Right: Ozone Clothing – Classic Black Diamond Knitted Shirt
And let’s not forget the issue of size. It goes without saying that people today are larger than they were half a century ago. As a result, the vast majority of authentic 50’s clothing – men’s and women’s alike – is going to be on the small side. So the thought of wandering blindly into the minefield of original 50’s clothing isn’t as straightforward as you’d think! To be perfectly honest, unless you have the time, effort and funds to invest fully, it will likely lead to nothing but heartache. But fear not! It isn’t all doom and gloom for the rockabilly fanatic. The last decade has seen the emergence of numerous companies specializing in manufacturing modern rockabilly-styled clothing. Some of them are extremely faithful to the originals; others take pride in adding a contemporary flair to the traditional style. Just do a quick online search for rockabilly clothing, and you’ll be faced with hundreds of companies and websites offering endless quantities of modern rockabilly clothing for both sexes. This massive upsurge in clothing production means that prices are much lower than the prices for original pieces; that stylish items are ridiculously easy to source; and that traditional styles are readily available in a gamut of sizes to fit everyone…from the tiniest to the largest frames.
from the original 60-year-old patterns. They’re all just a click away, with many companies putting their heart and soul into to the manufacturing of quality garments for today’s rocking cats. We contacted a number of rockabilly clothing companies that produce a wondrous range of clothing, from exact replicas to moderninfluenced pieces, to find out what drives them, what they think about today’s rockabilly scene and the guiding philosophies behind their products. When was your company set up and where did the inspiration for the name come from? Collectif: Collectif was founded in Camden Stables Market in the year 2000 by Ramiro Torres.
Original patterns and fabrics can all be copied and produced with modern manufacturing practices, making the new items more robust and hardwearing – an important consideration for the new generation of rockabillies. New and interesting twists can be incorporated into the designs and fabrics, giving the garments a more up-to-date appearance for today’s scene, while still remaining firmly entrenched in the rockabilly genre. Likewise, newly created prints carry forward the inspiration of the bold novelty prints of the 50s, while incorporating modern influences and elements that reflect the evolution of tastes in today’s scene. Perhaps you want traditionally styled, classiccut ladies’ garments, or reproduction jeans cut
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Freddies of Pinewood: Freddies of Pinewood was born out of our previous vintage clothing business – Rock-a-Round. We were buying and selling vintage clothing and the supply of original 40's and 50's women's jeans was drying up. So we started having new ones made here in the UK, but only about 150 pairs a year – this was in around 1995. The first product we used the name Freddies on was on some 1940's women's slacks we had made up about the same time. The name came from our dog Freddie. As our shop then was in Reading we used "Freddies of Reading", later changing to "of Pinewood" when we used to walk Fred in a wood not far from where we lived then. Little Wicked's Emporium: Little Wicked's Emporium was born in April 2012, but Little Wicked Designs has actually been around since 2008, and disappeared for a few years between 2010 and 2012, to be resurrected through Little Wicked's Emporium. The name 'Little Wicked' dates back to my days as a barmaid in central London, way back in 1998/1999 – this is what one of the regular customers nicknamed me. It didn't catch on as a nickname, but the name always stuck with me, and when I began creating handmade clothes for sale on eBay back in 2008, it seemed a natural progression to use the old nickname. A few years later, Little Wicked's Emporium was born, and the rest, as they say, is history! Ozone Clothing: We set up selling clothing approximately 10 years ago. We have always been into vintage mid-century clothing (in particular 1950’s American styles). We originally developed from a body piercing studio also named Ozone, enabling us to finance our passion for 50’s clothing. Rumble 59: The company “Red Hot and Blue GmbH” was founded in 2003…our label “Rumble59” in 2007. The name is a combination of “59,” which stands for the year 1959 – symbolic of the rock 'n' roll-era to
which a lot of our attitude and style refers – and (obviously) "Rumble" to add some roughness and edge to the brand. In our opinion a lot of today's fashion industry seems to be washed out, wimpy and "bling bling” – at least since names like Von Dutch or Ed Hardy have been kind of ruined by now. The Brian Setzer Song “59" ("Everything I love is from '59") is a great song too, and sums up in a nice way the feeling we have for our brand. What is your company’s ethos? Collectif: Making unique vintage inspired pieces for the modern woman, from sizes 6-22. We are trend influenced, but not trend led. Freddies of Pinewood: To produce good quality reproduction (NOT retro!) 1940's and 1950's casual clothing that people can wear every day. Little Wicked's Emporium: I hate the recent catchphrases plastered over the Internet about 'real' women being used in advertising and how 'real' women have curves - as far as I am concerned, all women are 'real', regardless of shape or size, and I want to make clothes that all women can feel fabulous in! The ethos of Little Wicked Designs in particular, is that all women deserve to own at least one dress that makes them feel absolutely gorgeous, and like they could take on the world! Ozone Clothing: To bring more style and cool into a fading dreary men’s fashion high street fashion scene. Rumble 59: We’re not sure if we could put our “company’s ethos” in a nutshell, but in fact we all have a subcultural background ourselves, mostly rockabilly and rock 'n' roll – with a very close relationship to our customers.
Dorothy Tulle Floral Swing Dress –Collectif from Katherines Closet Photography: Wayne Hutchinson photography Model/styling/hair/makeup: Claire Powell
Rumble 59 – Diamond Panel
It's not "making money from the scene" for us, but creating styles that we love for our own folks. Since we do a lot of festivals with our booth here in Europe, we get instant feedback to our products, whether good or bad. Also in our webshop we stay close to our customers and answer every question and think about wishes and product suggestions we receive. What is the certain something that makes your clothes/designs “special”? Collectif: All of our clothing is designed inhouse in London by Julia Metz. Unlike many other vintage reproduction brands, we produce two complete collections each season, with pieces that complement each other but can also be worn independently. Freddies of Pinewood: We are the only company doing a complete range of this type of clothing. You won't find any cherries or
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skulls on our clothes, we strive to use authentic fabrics as well as authentic period cuts. We have not used stretch denim, unlike the other brands who try to copy us. Little Wicked's Emporium: I like to think that my clothes are well-cut, and cut to be flattering to all shapes and sizes. All Little Wicked Designs handmade items are made to measure, for a perfect fit, with customizable neckline and sleeve options, and in a wide range of fabric choices. I want everyone who buys one of my dresses to feel like a queen wearing it, and to have something that is as unique as she is, made just for her! Ozone Clothing: Attention to detail and quality manufacturing. Rumble 59: From the very start we knew that Rumble59 would be a well-balanced mixture of original 50’s clothing with a slight modern influence. We don't compete with authentic
purists rooting through flea markets or searching Japanese websites for 1940's Levi's. Rumble59 offers everyday clothing with a respectful nod to the 50s – but affordable and reliable. What’s a 50’s worker-jacket good for when it's too valuable to be worn while wrenching at your car? How important is it for you to keep your clothes accurate to, or how much inspiration do you take from, original 50’s designs?
Rumble 59: We love the era 1940-1960 and the styles: casual, work-wear or military. That's why we run Rumble59. It's not that we are slaves to that period of time – of course we don’t like all the 50’s clothes. So we go through the decades and take everything we like. But we have the freedom to adjust all styles to today's life and (for example) add a pocket for mobile phones if it makes sense or make the pockets of a flight jackets suitable for everybody – not just for 1950’s fighter pilots.
!
Collectif: We rely on a variety of contributing factors when designing our collections, including looking at 1940’s and 1950’s original dress patterns, as well as current trend reports. We try and choose as many designs as possible to manufacture – a lot of this is based on feedback from our customers via our social media channels, as well as our staff.
ones we particularly like and would wear ourselves
Freddies of Pinewood: Having dealt in vintage for years, and both of us having bought 40's and 50's vintage for ourselves since the late 1970's in shops like Flip, we have used items from our own personal collection and from original photos, films, catalogs, etc.
Little Wicked's Emporium: I love 50's fashions, so it's only natural that I choose to make 50's styles in my handmade line, but I'm not too worried about the dresses being historically accurate. The inspiration definitely comes from the 50's, but as fabrics have progressed over the years, it would be difficult to have modern-made clothing that is accurate in the truest sense of the word to the 50's originals. I do take a lot of inspiration from 50's shapes and styles, and a lot of my design and dressmaking knowledge comes from secondhand books published in the 40's and 50's, so I'm sure quite a few of my techniques are actually true to the era! Ozone Clothing: We take all our inspiration from 1950’s American designs and we try to copy them to the letter, we tend to choose
Left: Rumble 59 – Racing Skull Dress
For some product we may keep an eye on rural work-wear and for some other piece it may be more urban 50’s Brooklyn-style. This way it stays fresh and interesting for ourselves as well as our customers. Is it difficult to source patterns / fabrics if you are looking to keep the product as authentic as possible?
Collectif: Our company motto is Vintage Style for Modern Life, and this is also reflected in the fabrics that we choose. It is important to have pieces that can withstand daily wear and tear. We create all of our own patterns in our production office. Freddies of Pinewood: Fabrics can be a problem, but we do get quite a lot made exclusively for us now. As for the patterns, I [Phil] do a lot of the pattern-making myself, using an original garment to work from.
Little Wicked's Emporium: I don't actually source patterns; I cut all of the patterns for Little Wicked Designs myself. However, if I am looking for inspiration for something, I do sometimes trawl eBay or local charity shops looking for vintage patterns to study! As for fabrics, modern fabrics are very different from the fabrics used in the 50's – for one thing, lycra and elastane weren't around then! These days, most fabrics have some element of
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stretch to them, whereas most of the dress and suit fabrics back in the 50's didn't have even the slightest amount of stretch! Fortunately for me, I don't focus on exactly reproducing the vintage fashions, so I'm happy to use quirky modern prints and fabrics with some stretch to them. Ozone Clothing: Patterns are OK if you can find the original ones. But our pattern-maker can work off original garments, so we are always on the lookout for them. Searching for fabric is another story, as it is becoming increasingly difficult to find the right stuff. Rumble 59: For having the freedom to offer a mixture of 50’s clothing and comfortable “today” clothing, it isn’t as difficult to source patterns. We keep our eyes open for old fashion or pattern books of the 40’s-50’s. Of course we’re looking for that special piece at flea markets or second-hand stores, so that we can take the best of it and to turn it to something new. It’s not keeping each piece as authentic as can be, but rather to breathe new life into interesting (and maybe forgotten) products with the special pinch of Rumble59. What sets your company part from its competitors? Collectif: We are unique in what we do. Each season we create two complete collections comprising brand new designs, as well as variations on favorites from previous collections. Each design is different from the next. We pride ourselves on the quality of our clothing, as well as bringing something new to the scene with each season. We are proud of the positive customer feedback that we receive with each collection. Freddies of Pinewood: Every other company was doing dresses and men's shirts and jeans, but we were the first to do the casual
wear and a complete range of authentic reproduction women's jeans. Since then quite few companies have been trying to copy what we do, but their quality, cut and authenticity doesn't hold a candle to our products. Little Wicked's Emporium: My company is a very small company – and this means that when you shop with me, you get truly personal service! Not only are all Little Wicked Designs items handmade to your exact measurements, they can be changed or tweaked as you like! So someone who buys a Little Wicked Above: Dolores Black top, Mary Polka Dot Flock Swing Skirt –Collectif from Katherines Closet Photography: Wayne Hutchinson photography Model/styling/hair/makeup: Claire Powell Right: Freddies of Pinewoods – Johnny Hat and Campus Top
Designs dress is guaranteed to get something unique and bespoke, and it’s guaranteed that no-one else will turn up to a function wearing the same thing! Ozone Clothing: The fact that we solely use the UK for all our manufacturing and our attention to detail. Rumble 59: That’s difficult to say without kind of judging our competitors in a wrong way or sounding arrogant…in our opinion, our products are unique by being not just a copy of good old styles of the 50’s. We try to add the special Rumble59 thing to all products – for example, by optimizing old patterns to a more comfortable fit, adding cool prints or embroideries or of course funny and winking (but always helpful) gimmicks. Beyond that every product should be suitable for everyday use. That means high and longlasting quality at an affordable price. To cut a long story short: The spirit of Rumble59 which is stickered to every single piece. How do you feel about the huge flux of interest within the rockabilly scene? Collectif: We welcome it. It's always fantastic to see more people interested in something that you are passionate about, and if they're interested in the rockabilly scene while wearing Collectif, then that's an even bigger bonus! Freddies of Pinewood: We started before this happened, and hopefully we will still be there when the scene goes back underground. We obviously benefit from it with good sales worldwide. Little Wicked's Emporium: As a business owner, this influx means more potential interest in my clothing line, and more potential clients. I do feel a little sad that a lot of the people who are newly interested in the scene
may not stick around for long, but I myself am not a 'purist', and have interest in many alternative sub-cultures. I believe that there is room in all scenes for those who want to dabble in and out without fully committing to only one style! Ozone Clothing: What goes around comes around. All the mainstream fashion designers look to the past for inspiration. “Nothing is new!” Rumble 59: So far it's a blessing. There are far more people today that can connect with a vintage lifestyle and realize that "new" is not always "better". The past 70 years had so much great style (music, clothing, cars and bikes, etc. And the increasing interest in the past decades from many people seems to show we're not alone with this feeling. It's not just pure rockabilly – it’s also the muscle cars, biker-revival, lowriders and so on… We only hope that those people will stay, and don't see this as "the next big thing" until something completely new rushes through the www and magazines!
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❈
There are plenty of other rocking companies out there producing excellent contemporary rockabilly clothing. A few clicks on the Internet and – armed with a credit card – you’re ready to shop ‘til you drop. One of my personal favorites is a little company based in Thailand whose eBay shop offers some fantastic hand-made men’s shirts and jackets. Judes Magic: Formed 8 years ago to make, market and promote a whole range of products. The company has evolved into a bespoke tailoring concern aimed at niche markets! Through personal contact with a select band of bespoke tailors I have been able to assure quality workmanship coupled with very specific design capabilities. In today’s current generation it appears that IT computer games /contacts are all-important: a very insular state of affairs. However, the older generation has a greater sense of nostalgia or “feel good factor.” Combine that with a genuine resurgence in interest in the 1950’s period (both fashion and music) and you have the Rockabilly market. My aim was and is to satisfy the fashion element authentically, and my success has proved this to be so. Of course, sourcing materials/fabrics is a very important part of my daily effort, and as I am totally confident in my tailors I can offer and sell a whole variety of garments with utmost assurance. Other companies notable for the sheer quality of their products and dedication to the rockin’ style are: • Lindy Bop: http://www.lindybop.co.uk • Pin Up Girl Clothing: http://www.pinupgirlclothing.com • British Retro: http://www.britishretro.co.uk Contacts: • Freddies of Pinewood: http://www.freddiesofpinewood.co.uk • Collectif: http://www.collectif.co.uk • Rumble 59: http://www.rockabilly-rules.com/Rumble59 • Little Wicked's Emporium: http://www.littlewickedsemporium.co.uk • Judes Magic: http://www.ebay.co.uk/usr/judes_magic • Ozone Clothing: https://www.ozoneclothing.co.uk
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Looks ...worth a look! 1.
2.
3.
1. Mini Liesel Check Print Skirt - Collectif, Elsie Shirt – Voodoo Vixen 2. 'Rita' Pencil Dress – Little Wicked Emporium 3. Dietrich Leopard Print Swing Trench Coat –Collectif from Katherines Closet Photography: Wayne Hutchinson photography Model/styling/hair/makeup: Claire Powell VintageVilleMag.com | 18
Katherine’s Closet the UK’s hidden gem of rockabilly retail
It is often said that “size matters” and that “bigger is better.” But sometimes, when something is perfectly formed and proportioned, size is no issue at all. Take for instance Katherine’s Closet: an exquisitely petit boutique nestled away in the upper echelons of a health club, off the beaten track in Tewkesbury, a small town situated in the South West of England. From the second you walk through the door you can’t help but be immensely impressed – not only by the amount of stock that is beautifully displayed in such a small area, but also by the way the light and airy layout creates a wonderfully warm and inviting presence, even on the dullest of days. That feeling is enhanced further by Emma Adams, the marvelously bubbly and immeasurably helpful proprietress of the establishment. Katherine’s Closet is filled with a striking array of ladies’ wear and accessories that would simply bowl over anyone who has the slightest taste in the modern rockabilly and related scenes. If you want traditionally-inspired 50’s wear, a casual rockabilly pair of jeans and top or a plush swing dress, Katherine’s Closet has it all and then some. You just can’t help but be mesmerized by the sheer volume of garments that Emma stocks, and how welcomed you’ll be made to feel once you walk through her doorway. The only downside is
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that you’re guaranteed to leave the shop with less money than you went in with; but on the plus side you will have something wonderfully glamorous to show for it.
had always loved vintage reproduction fashion. I decided to set up a little side-line with the intention of traveling round the local vintage fairs selling bits and bobs.
We caught up with Emma to find out more about this wonderful hidden gem of rockabilly clothes shopping…and learn what makes the whole Katherine’s Closet experience an absolute joy.
Within a few weeks it had spiraled, and in March I opened my own little shop. It was a proud day! I now stock vintage reproduction clothing, shoes, accessories and underwear. I'm passionate about my job.
When did you decide to open Katherine's Closet? Why open a specialist ladies’ clothes shop?
Did you have a mission statement in mind when first putting together the shop?
Katherine's Closet started at Christmas last year. I was working full time as a child-minder but
I sat down with my husband Stew (who luckily for me is a shop fitter) when we were designing
the layout. We felt very strongly that it should be a bright, fun, friendly and welcoming space. The shop itself is teeny tiny, but it has bags of character. We are planning on opening a larger shop in the New Year and ours is a recipe that's easily transferable in to a larger space. How would you describe the shop itself? Who’s your average customer? The shop can best be described as a girly dressing up den. I will of course have to tweak this a bit when I start to sell gentlemen’s clothing! I wouldn't say that I have an “average customer” as such. The ladies who visit me range from teenagers to pensioners (my oldest customer is 90!), and the styles vary from mainstream to very vintage and retro. I adore it when I have a tattooed twentysomething talking to a granny about pretty dresses in the closet. It makes me a very happy lady. What is the ethos of Katherine’s Closet? The ethos is ever evolving, but the essence remains the same. To make women (and men!) feel confident and attractive in clothes inspired from a bygone era. Don't get me wrong – I have nothing against modern fashion. But a lot of today’s ladies’ wear is very utilitarian – not the most flattering look!
You have such a wonderfully refreshing level of customer service – you seem to connect with everyone who walks through the door. How important is that relationship? Customer service is of paramount importance at Katherine's Closet. So many ladies find shopping an intimidating experience. I pride myself on the fact that my staff and I are friendly and approachable. If we can help, we will. I love it when a lady leaves my shop literally bursting with confidence. It's my favorite part of the job. Which labels do you stock and how do you decide who to work with? When I first started Katherine's Closet getting wholesale accounts was like pulling teeth. Suppliers were suspicious of a business that was essentially run from my front room! When I got my shop premises that changed. I now carry lines from Collectif, Lindy Bop, Hearts and Roses and Born Bad Betty. Also local designers like Vintage Ribbons, Johnny Rocks Vintage Emporium, Vintage Mamma, Betty's Button Box and Pretty Things by Sarah. The local vintage community is very small and lovely, so it's nice to support each other. You carry clothing sizes to accommodate a lady of any shape and size without larger
sizes having to be especially ordered in. What’s the reasoning behind this? As a larger lady myself (a size 18), I'm passionate about catering for all shapes and sizes. The Katherine's Closet experience needs to be inclusive, which is why I stock clothes between sizes 6-26. How has the response been to the shop? The response to Katherine's Closet has been amazing. I'm so touched by how nice people are. We like to create a friendly atmosphere in the shop and make our ladies feel comfortable. What does the future hold for Katherine’s Closet? Any plans for expanding into men’s clothes? Menswear and retro children's wear are my next steps. I've found some really great lines so I'm excited about taking Katherine's Closet into a new area of retro clothing. We are hoping to open a second Cheltenham shop in the New Year. I would love it to be a onestop vintage treasure trove of delights with ladies’ wear, menswear, children's wear, an instore retro hairdresser and makeup artist…and, of course, cupcakes. Those are a standard Katherine's Closet requirement! .................
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Mid Century Danish Teak Sideboard. $3,995 The British Invasion
~ gasp-worthy finds ~
Emilio Pucci 1960s Vintage Silk Clutch. $287.98 Vintage Von Werth
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Sputnik Chandelier. $3,490 Studio Italy
Gruen 50th Anniversary Gold Pocket Watch, circa 1930s. $6,800 Battle Born Sellers
Vintage Vuokko Nurmesniemi Polka Dot Dress. $1,395 Best Vintage Ever
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From the big screen …to your closet. Got a favorite vintage movie or TV show? Here's how you can get the look today.
Our featured Take 2: The Sting Wardrobe plays a huge role in this 1973 American caper film set in 1936 Chicago. Early on, Johnny Hooker (Robert Redford) pieces together brown rags to create a complete suit. When he hits the big time, Henry Gondorff (Paul Neuman) takes the down-on-his-luck drifter to a tailor to turn Hooker into a sharp dressed man capable of earning the trust of high rollers and gangsters allike.
Universal Pictures
The Inspiration
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Universal Pictures
Our Take
Brought to you by Another Man’s Treasure A USA Today “Top 10 Great Places to Shop” for vintage clothing, Another Man’s Treasure is a true mecca of fantastic vintage finds for men and women. The boutique offers a kaleidoscopic of vintage fashions, accessories, shoes and jewelry from the 1940s-1980s with a special focus on classic, high-fashion vintage trends.
353 Grove Street
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Jersey City, NJ 07302
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201.860.9990
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www.amtvintage.com
2014 Gift Guide
The
Guys
iPad Tv Stand $30 Uncommon Goods
Gentleman's Guide to Cocktails $75 Tuckernuck
Argyle Sock $12 Bold Socks
Beatles 50th Anniversary Bag $82.39 Atom Retro
Vintage Necktie $38 Rock Street Vintage
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DONK Wood Watch ÂŁ50 DONK Wood
Shaker High Dress Boots $395 Allen Edmonds
A Reel Work of Art Wine Rack $69.99 ModCloth
Ode to Pendleton Jacket $165 ReVamp
Vintage Deluxe Scrabble $279 Restoration Hardware
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The
Gals Besame Classic Lipstick $24 Trashy Diva
Betsey Johnson Watch $135 Macys
Smartphone Projector $27 Uncommon Goods
Shearling Bow Gloves $168 Anthropologie
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1940s Wool Fur Coat $255 Cut Paste Vintage
Kate Spade Wristlet $178 Nordstrom
1900s Locket $120 MaeJean Vintage
Mid Century Modern-Inspired Cat Print $18 Colby and Friends
Noted Purr-fessional Scarf $24.99 ModCloth
1940s Wrap Blouse $155 ReVamp
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Christmas Classics
...Reimagined
Christmas songs: from traditional carols to crooner classics, they're a big part of our shared holiday celebrations. Maybe your family's fave was Nat King Cole's "Christmas Song." Maybe your Christmas-morning LP of choice was Bing Crosby…or the Beach Boys. Like the smell of holiday cookies baking in the kitchen, the iconic sounds instantly conjure up a whole world of warm, happy memories. Well, those aren't the songs we're talking about. Nor are we talking about those occasionally entertaining, often painful remakes of Christmas standards by superstar rock artists – Springsteen's "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town," for instance, or Dylan's decidedly odd "Must Be Santa." No, we have something else in mind. We're thinking of rock (and pop) Christmas songs you may never have heard – or may never have thought of as Yuletide tunes. If you're looking to switch up the holiday soundtrack this year, give 'em a spin. You may discover a new favorite! In no particular order…
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1.
2.
Christmas The Who
Title notwithstanding, this one – featured in the Who's rock opera "Tommy" – doesn't turn up often in Yule-themed playlists. No surprise there: this song is less about the holiday and more about the plight of the deaf-dumb-and-blind protagonist, who's so utterly isolated that he doesn't even "know who Jesus was." That said, there are some marvelous moments here, musically and lyrically. The opening verse captures the childhood thrill of Christmas morning: Did you ever see the faces of the children They get so excited Waking up on Christmas morning Hours before the winter sun's ignited The music brilliantly reinforces the lyrics' emotional content. The words are sung in a headlong rush, starting on the very first beat, and the background vocals achieve a sort of percussive effect that's almost literally breathless. It all plays brilliantly against the anguish of Tommy's slow, tortured "see me, feel me" refrain: it's a powerful combination. An idiosyncratic pick? Sure. But this is a fabulous song that amply deserves a moment in the seasonal spotlight.
Ring Out, Solstice Bells Jethro Tull
In 2003, late in the group's career, Jethro Tull issued a full Christmas-themed album; and this song, first released on an 7” EP in 1976, received an updated reading for that LP. But we're terribly fond of this original version. Many of the classic Tull elements are present here: Ian Anderson's flute, naturally, but also the band's deeprooted affinity for traditional English music. So steeped in history is this track, in fact, that it's as much a celebration of pagan solstice ritual – complete with dancing Druids – as it is a Christmas song. The combination works splendidly, and the result is a catchy, evocative, timeless addition to the Yuletide canon. If you admire the Tull of Songs from the Wood (we do!), odds are you'll adore this tune.
3. Christmas Must Be Tonight The Band
A real rarity: a full-on original Christmas song, written and performed by an A-list rock band, featured on a nonseasonal-themed album. That album is the underwhelming Islands – the final studio LP by the original group. It's an uneven album, to be sure, and maybe that very fact – its lack of cohesion – made it easier to slip a holiday song into the mix. (Islands was released in March of 1977; it wasn't even winter, let alone Christmas, when it hit the shelves.) But the song itself is a marvelous surprise. It's understated, even a little rough around the edges – a stark contrast to the production sheen of many Christmas tunes. Levon Helm, Rick Danko and Richard Manuel share the vocals. The low-key acoustic accompaniment lopes along nicely, and the words, unlike many of Robbie Robertson's lyrics, don't take themselves too seriously; they manage to treat a toweringly important subject with charming, offhand sincerity. We're not alone in our admiration for the song, either. Over the years, it has built a quiet little following of its own, and has been covered by a number of artists. We like the original version best. 35 | VintageVille Magazine
4.
First of May The Bee Gees
"First of May" may not seem like the title of a Christmas-themed song, but the very first lines set the mood perfectly: When we were small And Christmas trees were tall We used to love While others used to play If the name "Bee Gees" summons up visions of white disco suits, you're missing out on the whole first chapter of this group's story – the early years, when they were wellrespected, totally legit Brit-pop competitors to bands like the Hollies, the Zombies and yes…the Beatles. This lovely reflection on lost time and lost love originally appeared on the Bee Gees' ambitious 1969 double LP Odessa. It's the sort of elegant, melancholy pop tune the early Bee Gees did better than almost anyone else.
5.
Snow Jesse Winchester
“Winter Wonderland.” “Let It Snow.” “Jingle Bells.” It’s true: there’s no shortage of holiday favorites celebrating the joys of ice and snow. Well, this tune is a very different take on the theme: a wryly charming little novelty number about the horrors of winter weather. Jesse Winchester is largely forgotten nowadays, but there was a time when he was routinely ranked with the best artists of what you might call, in retrospect, the singer/songwriter era: the early-1970s timeframe when James Taylor hit it big, Carole King released the iconic Tapestry and Don McLean (remember him?) lamented the day the music died. Winchester added a handful of often-covered tunes to the treasures of that period: "Yankee Lady," "The Brand New Tennessee Waltz" and a few others. He had more of a rustic roots-music edge than many of his contemporaries – something that no doubt helped to attract the attention of Robbie Robertson of the Band, who produced his debut LP and co-wrote this endearing little song.
Honorable Mention
Three Angels Bob Dylan
The man himself, at his quirkiest. This slight little two-minute piece – more spoken than sung, more poetry reading than performance – is tucked into an out-of-the-way spot at the end of the 1970 New Morning album. What's it about? Well, that's not entirely clear. It takes place on Christmas Day; three robed, horn-playing angels float above a busy street, unseen (or ignored) by the people below. And those people include a cast of characters that would have been perfectly at home among Dylan's oddest Basement Tapes lyrics: the "wildest cat from Montana," a bakery-truck driver and a few flying dogs and pigeons, among others. Is it serious? Comic? Deeply thought out…or improvised on the spot? As is so often the case with Dylan, it's hard to tell. Listen – and decide – for yourself. VintageVilleMag.com | 36
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DECOdence a snapshot into holiday glamour
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Photographer: Rafał Wójcik Analog Photo Style Model: Nina Holy Makeup & Hair: Nina Holy Earings: Glitter Paradise Hair Accessories: Jazzfine VintageVilleMag.com | 38
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Brands! Designers! VintageVille Magazine is looking for great vintage and retro products to review for upcoming issues. Interested? Send us an email at hello@VintageVilleMag.com
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1. The Best of Times Heel $39.99 ModCloth | 2. Vintage Lyskaer Pendant $103.13 Danish Vintage Lights | 3. Vintage Lea Stein Cat with Ball Brooch Art Decoratif $90 | 4. Vintage Red Salvaged Plastic Letter $8 Nature Coast Vintage | 5. CiatÊ Nail Polish $8 Sephora | 6. 1950s Red Royal Typewriter $599 Poetic Home | 7. Vintage Men’s Pendleton Flannel Shirt $47 The Bearded Bee | 8. Vintage Mid Century German Alarm Clock $65 Rue Des Louves VintageVilleMag.com | 42
REVIEW: Suavecito & Suavecita Pomade
His By Lee Powell Like most men within the rockabilly scene, I probably spend way too much time messing around with my quiff, from pomping it up to checking any reflective surface I pass to make sure it’s still looking the part. Over the years, whilst whiling away hour after hour on my hair, I’ve tried numerous pomades – from petroleum-based grease through to water soluble types (and various combinations of both). Although all of them have their merits, I’m always on the lookout for that perfect one. The one that helps me get the height and volume from my pompadour, gives it a hold that lasts and isn’t a devil to wash out. Personally I prefer using water-soluble pomades, simply because it washes out as easy as gel…but has the shine of a petroleum-based product. I then top this off with a small covering of ‘grease’ just to give the whole thing the extra shine that I feel every good quiff needs. I was fairly happy with my brand of water-soluble pomade – the foundation for more of my quiffs than I care to remember over the last few years. So when I was asked to try Suavecito I thought “Fair enough, I’ll give it a go.” I wasn’t expecting anything too different from my usual brand. But those initial thoughts came crashing down around my ears like the tallest quiff on a rainy day. I decided to opt for the “firm hold” variety. Why? Because I love playing about with my quiff, but I also know that time is always at a premium. So I like to get my quiff in shape as quickly as possible with the minimum of fuss. The first thing I noticed about Suavecito, aside from its brownie color, was its heavenly aroma. It’s hard to pinpoint exactly what it smells like, but it has a lush spiced, woody scent with distinctly masculine overtones and a freshness that is a pleasure to inhale. If they produced an after-shave with the same smell I’d be the first in line to buy it.
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Applying it to my hands to soften slightly, I discovered that it felt good, too. It had a tackiness, but it wasn’t too sticky; and it became immensely soft and easy to work with the smallest amount of effort. In my hair it was amazing. It started to set relatively quickly, but was still pliable enough to remold in order to get my quiff just right. It made styling wonderfully easy. Before I knew it my quiff was standing proud with a subtle shine and a wonderful smell. And it held! Not just for the day but for several days, even in strong wind. Each morning it needed just a tiny bit of reworking with a damp comb, a little fixing spray. After that I was ready to go, without the horrible white residue that some water-soluble pomades leave when you’ve had to touch up that quiff. When it was time for a hair wash, I was surprised that something that held so solidly could wash out so easily. But I did. Just warm water and a quick lather of mild shampoo and it was gone. I really can’t enthuse enough about Suavecito. Everything about it is perfect! The smell, the hold, the re-workability, the removal, Suavecito has it all. My only regret is that is I didn’t discover it sooner. But at least I can stop searching for that perfect pomade, as I’ve found mine.
Hers By Claire Powell In my many years styling my hair high, I have used a lot of different products to achieve the perfect look. A back brushed bouffant, a quiff as high as my hair can manage and voluptuous victory rolls need strength in product to maintain a sleek and eye-catching style…to withstand the elements as well as the lifestyle of a busy rockin’ gal. I had only ever used a pomade once before, and not really knowing what to do with it I had dismissed it. As a tried and tested ‘super hold hair spray’ kinda gal I had just stuck to what worked! I experimented in the past with gels, mousses, setting lotion – even wax! – but I enjoyed the reliable quick-fix hold I got from a spray. I suppose you could say I just got lazy. So I was pleasantly surprised when I came across Suavecito’s pomade – Suavecita – for ladies‘ do’s’. I will start with this: it almost smells good enough to eat! With its fresh, fruity fragrance I was tempted to scoop it out and smooth it on my locks straight away. But no, I needed to consult an expert first. I knew where to
turn for advice on optimum styling with this new-tome product: to my husband. A man who loves his quiff and an aficionado of fine pomades (he has quite a collection!). And after a quick crash course and a few handy tips I was away. Suavecita was easy to use and molded through my hair with ease, setting quickly enough not to lose the shape I had teased it into, and my style stayed where I put it all day. I was surprised with the versatility of the product… great for smoothing on and working through those high rolled styles, giving enough strength to hold the rolls all day, fab at smoothing down those annoying wind-swept straggly bits that fluff up at the most inopportune moments (that last has come in very handy here in windy England!), adding to the blowdrying routine (applying whilst wet) to give moisture and shine. All around, a very useful product I would encourage any girl (or guy, as they do the men’s version too) to add to their grooming list. Plus the packaging is very attractive, with its cute pin-up skeleton lady on the front. With its very Mexican ‘dayof-the dead’ look, it wouldn’t be out of place on any rockabilly dressing table or bathroom cabinet. I have a lot of hair, very thick and down to my waist; it takes a lot to tame it and keep it where I want to put it all day. A self-confessed hair spray junkie (I must admit my hair has felt its wrath!), I am pleased to have found something new that won’t dry out my hair and damage it – with the added bonus of smelling amazing and giving a lovely shine and great hold. And gals, take note: it washes out easily too. No worries about greasy build-up. I’m converted!
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the joys of
Challah By Daphne Drake
Mmm...challah. Once you’ve had this pillowy-soft bread, there’s nothing like it. For celebrating everything from Hanukkah to Christmas dinner to simple suppers, challah is “the” bread for the job. This recipe yields 2 very generously sized loaves. The secret of this recipe? The addition of applesauce (no oil!) which creates subtle sweetness and moistness. Best of all, this isn’t a fussy bread to make. The trick is to add just enough flour and knead to eliminate stickiness and make for easy braiding. You choose how many braids. Three, four, six strands? It’s up to you. The branded strands look like arms intertwined, symbolizing love – a sentment befitting for the holiday season. So give it a try. Let it accompany your favorite chesses. Make French toast. Or enjoy simply...with just a pat of butter. Happy munching!
Challah
Makes 2 large loaves
PREP 30 mins BAKE 40 mins READY IN 3 hrs 40 mins
Ingredients 2-1/2 cups warm water (110º F/45º C) 1 tablespoon active dry yeast 1/2 cup honey 4 tablespoons applesauce 3 eggs 1 tablespoon salt 8 cups unbleached all-purpose flour 1 tablespoon poppy seeds (optional)
Directions 1. In a large bowl, sprinkle yeast over slightly warm water. 2. Beat in honey, applesauce, 2 eggs and salt. Add the flour one cup at a time, beating after each addition. Knead dough until smooth and elastic and no longer sticky, adding extra flour as needed. Cover dough with a damp clean cloth and let rise for 1-1/2 hours or until dough has doubled in bulk. 3. Punch down dough and turn out on floured board. Divide in half and knead each for five minutes or so, adding flour as needed to keep from getting sticky.
4. Divide each half into thirds and roll into a long strands about 1-1/2 inches in diameter. Pinch the 3 ends together firmly and braid from the center. Leave as a braid or curve into a circle (pinching bothe ends together) to create a round braided loaf. 5. Place loaves on greased or parchment-covered baking sheets. Cover with towel and let rise about one hour. 6. Beat the remaining egg and brush a generous amount over each braid. Sprinkle with poppy seeds if desired. 7. Bake in a preheated oven at 375ºF (190ºC) for about 40 minutes. Cool on rack before slicing.
Baker’s Tip How to tell if they’re done? Give ‘em a thump. Loaves should have a nice hollow sound. VintageVilleMag.com | 46
Runway Roundup
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meet our...
WRITERS Lee Powell I’ve been involved in the Rockabilly/Psychobilly scene since I was first introduced to the Cramps some 25 years or so ago and I was blown away by the distorted, primal rock n roll of their Smell of Female album. I was instantly smitten. In a time when rock ‘n roll was whitewashed chartfriendly fodder, it was like discovering gold. I have a huge passion for all things ‘billy’ and Teddyboy, and I’m fortunate to live my life immersed in all of that, all be it with a contemporary twist (it’s not the 50’s anymore guys – can you really live without the luxuries of modern life?). I’m fortunate to share my world with my wife and two young daughters. My eldest who is six can proudly explain the difference between rockabilly and psychobilly and loves Imelda May and rockabilly compilations (she makes dad so proud!). I adore 50’s styled suits, Teddyboy drapes, brogues and Creeper shoes and I have sourced a nice little collection of them all over the years. I spend way too much time on my quiff and looking at vinyl records, as well as trying to find that perfect pair of selvedge jeans and thinking about that next tattoo. Blog:www.cleepowell.tumblr.com
Writer? Model? Photographer? You could be exactly who VintageVille Magazine is looking for. Check out www.VintageVilleMag.com for more information and submission guidelines.
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MODELS Ki*y Cadillac Greetings from Pin-Up Model Kitty Cadillac! I am a vintage pin-up model who has been modeling for over 5 years now. As a pin-up model, I have always looked up to Bettie Page and Bunny Yeager. For the majority of my modeling career, I have been a rowdy red head, but I recently made the jump to being a blonde bombshell. Apart from constantly being asked if I'm Marilyn, I love being a blonde. We really do seem to have more fun! My pin-up name comes from my love of cats (I currently have 6) and my dream car – a pink 57' Cadillac. Along with being a vintage pin-up model, I specialize in selling 1950s clothing in my Etsy shop. I focus on vintage showgirl costumes and beautiful dresses! I look forward to what the future has in store for me in the world of pin-up! XoXo, Kitty Cadillac www.facebook.com/PinUpModelKittyCadillac www.etsy.com/shop/NaughtyKittyVintage
Claire Powell I have been in love with the glamour of old Hollywood since I saw Marilyn Monroe in ‘Some Like It Hot’ as a young girl. As I grew up and delved deeper in to the past I found myself discovering a world of such beauty and excitement, from actresses and burlesque performers to the everyday housewife, they all looked so feminine and elegant. Now as a happily married Mum, I am living my reality as a ‘domestic goddess’ running my own business from home whilst spending every precious moment I can with my beautiful daughter and wonderful husband.
Nina Holy
I'm Nina Holy – a retro and pinup model from Poland. I was born and raised in Gdańsk (Danzig). I lived there for 19 years, and that’s where I began my modeling career. The range of styles I model in is strictly related to my interests. My inspirations come from music: rockabilly, rock 'n roll and psychobilly, country, etc. I also get inspired by magazines and books from the 50s and 60s. I'm a certified makeup artist, so most of the time I do my face myself. I also do my own hair. I buy a lot of books and guides to vintage makeup and hair styles. I do my best to match the makeup and hair to the clothes I'm wearing and the style of the period I'm recreating in the photo. In my free time. I collect clothing, accessories and lingerie in vintage and retro styles. I also enjoy writing articles on pinup fashion and photography. I take active part in many happenings and shows promoting retro and pinup fashion in Poland.
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