Pretty as a Picture

This photo is awesome right? So staged and those glasses look like they're quite possibly made from cardboard, I wish I could pull off such a comical pair. The round sunglass is such a trixy one! This photo has so many eras in it all at once, like the vintage future. I wonder when it was taken? 50's? 60's?

The Opera Glove

Opera gloves are my all time favourite. They finish off a dress, cape, jacket, bustier or outift and keep you warm and snug. Best of all they cover your arms! I will continue to collect and love them forever!

Releasing the Hounds

I have been busy Hawking exciting things for vintagehawke.com, and the collections are almost complete! Now for the next step, pics following of Ladies The Soiree ad Gentlemens The Big Band. Yay!

Fur is Always Appropriate....

All time Favourites - Charlotte Perriand

Charlotte Perriand was a french architect and designer who worked with Le Corbusier & Pierre Jeanneret on some of the most influential Modernist furniture designs in the world. Initially rejected by Le Corbusier when she showed him her work at 26, Charlotte pushed the limits of creativity and had a pretty dam awesome life travelling the world designing all sorts of beautiful things. Touche to that right!

Got to Go to... Paris

Notre Dame rooftop gazing

Taxidermy for Tuesday

I never really thought until I saw this picture about how hard it would be to set up a museum. I just came across a whole lot of research photos from when I was at tech and have some vintage gems! Taxidermy is one of my favourite crafts because it involves such intricacy and a high level of detail in understanding so many different disciplines. I want to learn how so badly! Check back if you love taxidermy for some pictorial candy in the next few weeks

Pretty As a Picture

Black Cat Magic

Dear Ladies...The Perfect Bob

Isn't this the cutest bob? If you're thinking about taking the plunge and getting one this would be such an awesome example to bring along to your hairdresser, or pin to the mirror if you're a self sufficient stylist. A little bit of height and a little bit flapper, a great example of the 60's look. If anyone has any photos they would like to share please do!

Retro Chanel

I came across this retro Chanel ad a few weeks back, even Chanel wasn't immune to the 80's and its lashings of style carnage, the hair! The pose!

Tribute to the Brassiere Cont'd

My new purchase yay! Vintage 50's Whirlpool Bra

Vintage 40's Lilyette Bustier

These brassieres were supposed to be up with the previous post, but I have so many vintage bra images and styles that I will continue to add to the collection!

Snug as a Pug in a Tux

Winter is starting to creep on in in Wellington, so I hope you're keeping snug if you're here too!

Deco Divinity

War Time Writing

I was chatting recently about the demise of handwriting in 2010, and how it is almost becoming a lost art. What better way to show the beauty of handwritinig than with a war time letter? Who would have thought that the hardy hard out, rugged around the edges snipe you out trenches across terrain in my tank men of history would have such eloquence!

A Tribute to the Brassiere

Maidenform Ad 1954

Vintage brassieres are quite possibly one of the finest and meticulous forms of showing off the exceptional quality and craftsmanship of bygone eras. The attention to detail is incredible, they are pieces of art from design to craftsmanship, stitching and form, and the ads were so quaint! Brassieres were circle stitched, bulleted, bustiered and over wired, and finish off every girls vintage outfit perfectly!

vintagehawke.com

I am very excited to announce that www.vintagehawke.com is the official domain name for my vintage venture! This week I will be loading some exciting photos of The Soiree and The Big Band, Vintage Hawke's Winter collections for Ladies and Gentlemen. The site will be up and running when Winter arrives YAYxxx

Dear Gentlemen... How to Tie a Bowtie

I hope these instructions help you to finish your suave self for a fun filled evening when you decide to wear your tuxedo! If you need a close up of the instructions follow this link www.folds.net/bowtie

Favourite Faces - Humphrey Bogart

Humphrey Bogart was a broadway actor in the 1920's and 30's. He began making films after work in plays subsided in the late 20's, and made 75 feature films in his career. He was always the cynical turned noble guy in his roles, and is in my opinion the original smoo diver. The tux, the trench, the cigar, the hat! Monsieur Bogart put not one foot wrong.

Favourite Faces - Mary Louise Brooks

The quinessential flapper and the girl who started the sharp bob, Louise Brooks was a charm. I'm sure she was every flapper's favourite star!

Swoon Worthy - Couture at its Finest

Omgolly I want this so so badly

Jean Paul Gaultier Couture 2010

I can't even begin to imagine how long such meticulous attention to detail must have taken, but the results are beyond amazing. Good things take time huh, and undoubtedly cost one arm and 2 legs.

Pretty as a Picture

I am unsure of the origins of this beautiful photograph, but was told by a tutor last year that it was most likely a hand coloured black and white photo from the late 1800's. There is a photographer who does similar work in this style (he wasn't Japanese) but I don't think it's by him. If anyone knows leave a comment!

Favourite Faces - Elvis

The king himself needs no introduction! These photos of a young Elvis really do capture how we should remember such a gentleman with the best man hair do the world will ever see.

Favourite Faces - Jean Harlow

Jean Harlow was an american movie star from the 1930's. Best known for her platinum blonde hair when dark hair was the main stay of 30's black and white movies, she had a very strong screen presence and a sharp wit. She died very young at age 26 from renal failure, but her achievements in her short career and her influence is profound. Her outfits in the films she starred in are awe inspiring glamour at its very best!