Fashion Flashback: Suki Poitier
Suki Poitier was an English model who lived at the center of Swinging 60s London. At age 18 she was the girlfriend of Guinness heir Tara Browne and was a passenger in the December 18, 1966, car crash that killed him. The pair was driving through South Kensington at high speed when Browne ran a traffic light in the intersection between Redcliffe Square and Redcliffe Gardens and collided with a parked lorry in order to save Poitier. She was unharmed in the incident that served as the inspiration for the Beatles song “A Day in the Life”. After the accident Suki became close with Rolling Stone Brian Jones and was later devestated by his death as well. She remained friendly with the rest of the band after this and was often seen at music festivals with them. She died in 1981 when she and her husband were involved in another car accident in Portugal. A favorite model of Ossie Clark, Suki’s style embodies the essence of the era in which she rose to fame.
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Fashion Flashback: Romy Schneider
After gaining mainstream popularity through her roles at Princess Victoria in The Story of Vicky and Elisabeth, Empress Consort of Austria, in Sissi, Romy Schneider became one of the most fashionable actresses of the mid-20th century, often appearing in classic outfits by Chanel in the early 1960s. Continue reading to view additional images.
Vintage Berenson
The granddaughter of couture designer Elsa Schiaparelli and a model and actress in her own right, Marisa Berenson is one of fashion’s great it -girls. RDuJour can never get enough of the photographs of her big haired, bronzed glamour from the 1960s! Continue reading to view additional photos.
Fashion Flashback: Virna Lisi
There aren’t really words to describe how fabulously glamorous and gorgeous Italian actress Virna Lisi was in 1960s and 70s. I love her platinum blonde hair and those cat eyes! My favorite picture in the gallery below is of Lisi riding in the back of a limousine in a bejeweled white turban. Continue reading for additional photos.
Cinema Style: The Swimming Pool
I am crazy about the movie The Swimming Pool starring Romy Schneider, Jane Birkin, and Alain Delon. (Casting doesn’t get much better than that combination in my book). Like many French movies that I love the plot isn’t necessarily the driving force of entertainment for me but rather the clothes and scenery. Such is the case in The Swimming Pool where the central action concerns love fustrations between houseguests in a gorgeous villa near Saint Tropez. Many scenes of dramatic eye contact, Alain Delon being moody, and long gazing views of Romy and Jane lounging around are all acted out in such fantastic 60s attire that if I am ever asked to write a style guide the book will include two lines. Rent The Swimming Pool. Fin.
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On the Office Ipod: Dalida
Extremely popular during her lifetime, the Egyptian-Italian singer Dalida has gained further cult like status since her death in 1987. Renowned widely in France, where she lived most her life, Dalida has 55 golden records to her credit including the famous hit “Bambino”. Continue reading for more videos plus style file.
Astrud Gilberto
For all the time that I have enjoyed Brazilian singer Astrud Gilberto’s music it wasn’t until recently that I realized how beautiful and stylish she was as well. Continue reading for more photos and videos.
Françoise Dorléac
Françoise Dorléac was the older sister of French actress Catherine Deneuve. Also an actress, Françoise died in a car accident in 1967 when she was just 25 years old. Before her death she had starred in François Truffant’s La peau douce and Roman Polanski’s Cul-de-Sac and become a fashion icon. Continue reading for more photos.
Sandra Dee
The classic American movie star Sandra Dee is one of my favorite actresses, I love her look in both the films Gidget and Imitation of Life. Continue reading for more photos.
Maria Callas
Maria Callas was fabulously well dressed both on and off stage, and I don’t think anyone looks quite as good with cat eyes as she does! Even if you are not interested in opera I would recommend watching the 2002 Franco Zeffirelli bio-pic Callas Forever. The film depicts Callas towards the end of her life as she attempts to resurect her career, and all of the outfits for the film were provided by Chanel. Karl Lagerfeld also designed the costumes for the Carmen sequences. Continue reading for more photos and video clips.
