enchanté

I listed a few charming dresses in the shop, (one 1950s sheer number already sold) so go check em" out. Happy Friday, buds!

Photo and styling by me. Photo editing by Stacy.

Avalon

 

One fine day someday soon these lovely vintage dresses will be in the shop, but in the meantime, I couldn't resist showing you some photos I took last weekend of my kindred spirit, might as well be my niece, and aspiring model, Avalon. In Rancho Palos Verdes and Palos Verdes Estates, we had loads of fun driving along the coast, listening to the Cure, and chatting about life.  Stay tuned for shop updates.  

Much love. 

Bill Steber: a photographic essay of the Mississippi Delta

Folks, I am on a journey through the Mississippi Delta, stopping at levee camps to hear the lonesome holler of a mule skinner, down to the  banks of the river to watch sinners bathe in the glory of the Lord, at the Parchman Penitentiary to hear the drive of steel and the call and response work songs that helps the prisoners make it through the long, hot, hard day; I'm rolling and rattling down Hwy 61 in my jalopy, past endless cotton fields, to a lonesome juke joint shanty damn near collapsed, where the men and women get down low to the music, where corn whisky is served, and the folks forget the hard times, on this moonlit night, where the blues are moaned, and the floor shakes, and the wall vibrates. I am sanctified by this new journey through the Delta. My journey started recently while reading Alan Lomax's "The Land Where the Blues Began," written so tenderly,  passionately, and knowledgeably, that I entered this world fully, even went to bed dreaming about the poor sharecroppers and evil big daddy, and always yearning for the music - pure and raw, the spirit of America. I became aware of Fred McDowell, Bessie Jones, and countless other singers, devouring everything, and in my reverie, stumbling upon the photography of Bill Steber, who in the late 1990s photographed the rich culture and tradition of the Mississippi Delta. It's so surprising to see a small handful of folks still steeped in century-old African -American traditions. I ain't  getting off this journey anytime soon. My next road trip will be along Hwy 61, through the Mississippi Delta. Will I still find the blues, the barrel houses, the spirituals?  If you're a fan of the  blues, or rock n roll, I recommend that you check out the rest of Bill Steber's photo essay here.

tent revival, Clarksdale, MS, 1994.

Cag Young, Senatobia, MS 1993

Baptism, Moon Lake, MS, 1995.

Rosetta Patton Brown, last surviving child of early blues legend Charlie Patton. Duncan, MS, 1996

Guitar Evangelist, Cora Fluker. Marion, MS, 1996.

Bellocq's Women: Photographs from Storyville the Red Light District of New Orleans

"Every harlot was a virgin once" - William Blake






Who would have guessed that these happy, innocent gals, playing with their pups, would be turn of the century prostitutes? That is the magic of E.J. Bellocq whose positive portrayal of these gals gained him wide spread recognition in the 1950s when his work was discovered. Did ya'll dig that first cocky gal in the striped tights? She inspires me so much; I framed her and placed her in my living room.

Images Scanned from "Bellocq" Photographs from Storyville the Red Light District of New Orleans." Photographs are from 1912.

photography of Laurie Bartley

I love the light in these beautiful photographs by Laurie Bartley, and of course, I'm in love with the muted colors. I've been coveting these cut-off Louis Vuitton's forever, but I reckon they'll never be mine, and I'm ok with that.

Folks, I have a four day weekend ahead of me, and I am happy to have no plans. I think I'll be doing some hiking & thrift store shopping tomorrow though.

Til next time, be free.

Crystal Lee



Source: fashion gone rogue

1960s photos by Wingate Paine

Goodness, these picture are making me want to get naked and engage in frivolous, quixotic, activities. I cannot wait for the return of Summer when all of these imaginative yearnings are possible, with the exception of cuddling with baby cheetahs. I hate to be stuck in the practical realm.

photos were scanned from Wingate Paine’s “Mirror of Venus”. You can buy it on Amazon for like $1.00. There are tons more awesome photos.