I love this photo of Janet Leigh. From the ultra large motif wallpaper to the modern chair which compliments her silver Grecian laced sandals; it could have easily been styled today. This color palette is perfection with all hues of moody blues and silver accents. Photographer: unknown.
This image is 1950s perfection by John Rawlings for Vogue Magazine. It’s neutral color palette with a touch of black is just as much of a classic color story today as it was half a century ago. John Rawlings definitely had a knack for creating timeless images and can we talk about the hat and jewelry too?
I love unearthing new vintage beauties and this photo of Dovima is all types of holiday chic. An American model in the 1950s, Dovima was discovered by a Vogue editor on a New York City sidewalk and had a photo shoot with Irving Penn the very next day. Amazing.
The color story in this photo feels like sugary candies + peppermint on a snowy day. It’s a perfect alternative for a chic holiday color story.
Image via pinterest; photographer unknown.
Madame Grès was a French haute couture designer known for her cut out designs showcasing skin as part of the design. She dressed some of the most fashionable women from the 1930s until the 1980s when she sold the brand. Madame Grès herself was a trained sculptress which many compared her fine draping skills to. This neutral + grey color story is divine!
Image: Photographer unknown; Dress Madame Grès 1952
This image is my kind of fall inspiration. Gone are the bold colors of summer and in march the muted and dreamy versions for Fall. This color story just breathes pumpkins, apples, leaves, scarves, boots and all that makes Fall so wonderful.
Image Credit: Lidewiij Edelkoort
This photo screams sweet summer innocence; like sugary sorbet. The dresses + photo are from Petit Chic which was found through Pinterest. I would use this color story for a summer soiree, little girl’s birthday or even a bridal or baby shower as an unexpected sweet twist. Can’t you just see the bowls or bright pink + orange sorbet being served?
Photo by Petit Chic
Carole Lombard is one of my favorite actresses from the 1930s. She was captivatingly beautiful and thanks to stunts like this where costume designer Travis Banton simply draped her in gold lame fabric, she was quite the vixen of the times. The photo above is re-colored oh-so-beautifully with a color story that screams classic elegance. I included the original black and white below as well. Not sure of the photo credit – if anyone knows, I will gladly update!
This photograph by the infamous John Rawlings captures the prettiest summer color palette. Although it appears as if it could have been taken yesterday, it was photographed for House and Garden in 1952. Timeless imagery is the mark of a genius photographer. My favorite fact in researching Mr. Rawlings? He shot 68 Vogue Magazine covers. That’s a lot of fashion!
Color stories hit me with one photograph. This is Jean Simmons, a British actress and trained dancer who was best known for a dozen or so films in the 1950s. I adore the aqua pool, the full circle skirt dress, her white dog looking straight into the camera and brown house and stone surrounding the pool. Possibly my favorite touches of color are her sepia toned lips which pick up a few flowers of the same tone in the distance.
Photo by Baron circa 1953. Found via a scan on Sophia’s Flickr stream.
This image is flawless. Not only is model Evelyn Tripp stunning, but the larger than life blooms casually thrown over her shoulder while wearing an evening gown is brilliant. Evelyn appeared on over 40 magazine covers starting with the 1949 January cover of Vogue. She was a true testament to the glamor of the times.
Photo: Harper’s Bazaar 1952 Gown by: ? (please advise if someone has reliable credit here). Found via a scan on Sophia’s Flickr stream.
Pretty Little Inspiration