Glamoursplash

1932 Swimwear Video

noreply@blogger.com (Glamoursurf) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 09:13:00 PST

In the swim with Eve. No sound, but some pretty amazing footage of vintage swimwear in 1932. And just what are those boards on her feet later in the video? An early version of fins? Enjoy!

EVE IN THE SWIM

The Lost Art of the Letterpress

noreply@blogger.com (Glamoursurf) — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 07:33:00 PST

The art of the letterpress. Such a fan, would love to go play with these types of printing presses one day.

Realtree | The Making of a Tradition from MAMMOTH on Vimeo.

Amongst my personal collection of items that I consider to be 'collectible' are these two Jantzen logo's, most likely used in the 1940s in advertising. Back in the day, these would have been used by typesetters, so when stamped would give the flipped image.

I've flipped the image so you can get a better look of the typeface.

This piece would have been used between 1947-1954. Pretty cool right? I haven't used them or mounted them on a tool yet, but just to have them gets me thinking of the possibilities.

Another piece I happen to have as part of my personal Jantzen collectibles is this pin from the same time frame.

I guess what I have now is a collection because it's more than two. Oh and if you haven't seen all my Jantzen swimwear you really should check out my store Glamoursurf!

Eduardo Garcia Benito Limited Edition Beach Towel

noreply@blogger.com (Glamoursurf) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 12:32:00 PST

Just a couple of works I adore by Spanish artist Eduardo Garcia Benito.

1929

This first one was done for Vanity Fair and graced the cover in 1929. So Art Deco and so clean, and you know I just adore the subject matter.

Source

This one was the cover for Vogue on July 15, 1926. And guess what? It could be yours for a mere $450.00 as a beach towel!

Source

Vogue has reproduced this in a limited edition beach towel in collaboration with luxury linen purveyor D. Porthault in commemoration of 120 years of Vogue. 45" x 69".

Would you buy it? And if so, how would you use it?

Just What is She Doing?

noreply@blogger.com (Glamoursurf) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 09:14:00 PST

My my she's having fun, but what is that thing she is holding and what is she doing? I've made some assumptions, I think she's on a boat somewhere and has taken the captains hat. She's lost her shoe(s) and is getting ready to share her lunch? What do you think? This is a postcard people, you were to send it home to your friends and family. What would your caption read?

Hearts on Swimsuits 1948

noreply@blogger.com (Glamoursurf) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 11:11:00 PST

1948

Those are hearts being applied to that swimsuit! I have no background information to give you here other than the date. I sure would like to know if this was some sort of fad to design your own suit, or perhaps a publicity photo for Valentines day.

Speaking of, are you ready for Valentines Day? What are you getting for that special someone? Or maybe you're making something special. We need some idea's, what'cha got?

Marilyn Monday - Best Rear View

noreply@blogger.com (Glamoursurf) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 09:01:00 PST

Image by Frank Powolny

According to movie cameraman Frank Powolny, Marilyn had the best rear view of all the movie stars he had photographed during his career.

Betty Grable by Frank Powolny

You may also recognize this famously sweet photo, also by Frank.

"I asked Betty if she'd like to have a back shot, just to be different," he said.

"She said, 'Yes,' and began to clown around.

'You want it like this?' she asked, posing.

And I said, 'Yeah.'

"I made only two shots of that pose. It was the second shot that became famous."

We thank you for that Frank! I gotta agree, he did get some great rear view shots. Happy Monday everyone.

Wolford Then and Now

noreply@blogger.com (Glamoursurf) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 08:34:00 PST

I love this image of a vintage Wolford bodysuit from the late 1960s. I'm kind of partial to these sorts of things. Add to that the fact that I sort of love the look of a sleeved swimsuit, although this is a bodysuit, but I'm sure it would do in a pinch.Wolford is a fairly high end lingerie company that has some gorgeous items that can be mixed and match, layered upon layer to create just the right look you might want for any outfit.


Wolford Vegas Body Stocking circa 1969

From the website:

"The two Wolford pioneers were extraordinary characters:
The industrialist Reinhold Wolff from Vorarlberg and the retail businessman Walter Palmers from Vienna.

In 1949, they founded the company Wolff & Co. KG in Bregenz am Bodensee. With their own dye works and moulding shop, they also took up the manufacture of nylon stockings in the same year that nylon made its entrance in Europe. A year later – 1950 – the Wolford brand was registered for the first time as a protected trademark.

After further expansion in 1953, the first double nylon stockings were brought onto the market and, in the following years, production rapidly developed through the acquisition of circular knitting machines. To this day, Wolford works with circular knitting machines which make it possible to provide a seamless product.
In 1964, the company started to produce women’s outerwear whereby it predominantly manufactured pullovers in this area. The creation of the Schoppernau production branch followed in the same year and today this is a retail outlet. Three years later, the five-storied building was erected in Bregenz.
In 1988, the internationalisation of Wolford achieved a trendsetting dynamic. The crucial factor for this was the company’s reorganisation to become the ‘Wolford AG’ corporation.
On 14^th February 1995 (Valentine’s Day), Wolford simultaneously went onto the stock market with LADY AKTIE in Vienna and Paris.

Today Wolford specialises in the luxury market as an operative and active company in the manufacture and distribution of qualitative, high-class fashion in leg and body wear, primarily stockings, tights, bodysuits, swimwear and underwear. Wolford AG has 14 international subsidiaries and distributes their branded goods in around 65 countries to single-brand boutiques and trading partners.

Last year they had several seasonal co-operations in co-branding with well-known international designers such as Jean Paul Gautier, Philipp Starck, Vivienne Westwood, Karl Lagerfeld and Emilio Pucci."

Wolford Bahamas Body 2011

Good design need not change much with the time. Wolford on line Boutique is having a 50% off sale right now on selected items, including the body suit pictures above in a myriad of colors. Theres some pretty little things over there, stocking, swimsuits and tights, oh my. Enjoy!

Ohhh, That Special Diving Girl

noreply@blogger.com (Glamoursurf) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 07:27:00 PST

My ideal beach cottage bathroom. Not only can I picture myself owning a place like this where I could take a soak in that wonderful big tub, I could also just stare at that wonderful diving girl on the wall. She's awfully similar to the Jantzen diving girl, except her suit is blue. But, she can come over to my house anytime and I'd find room for her. Anyone know where I can find her?

UPDATE:

I did find a wooden one but sadly it has been discontinued. However, I managed to find a decal over at the website Suzanne Nicholl Studio.

Source

From the website: Retro Dive Girls are scanned from our hand painted wooden products, all the texture and detail is printed in the decal. You can order one or all three to fill up a wall. Each dive girl is about 47" from tip to toe, and about 13" wide. We can do custom sizes, or change the direction they face. $39.99

I'm off to measure.

Santa Monica Images, 1923

noreply@blogger.com (Glamoursurf) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 08:59:00 PST

This weekend I came across a photo album book from the early 1920's. I've scanned a few of the photos to share with you.

Some of the images declare a place, date and or name, and in general most of the ones I selected were from Santa Monica in the early 1920s. I'm particularly fond of this one with long skirt and tied belt.

That robe! Or perhaps it's a jacket, handsome right?

And here's the reason I got it. The suits are wool and somewhat unisex, although hers does appear to have a little bit of design work to it. And I love how she has made a belt of seaweed.

Santa Monica in the early 1920s. The coastline sure has changed since then!

She's ready for a dip. Note how the people in the back ground are still bundled up in coats and hats. Most of these were pasted down on black paper. Some of them have aged, but overall still in good condition. Enjoy!

B.V.D. Not Just Undies but Swimwear Too!

noreply@blogger.com (Glamoursurf) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 09:33:00 PST

1935 B.V.D. ad

Yes, B.V.D. produced swimwear. Perhaps you know them better as maker of underwear for men, but they started in the business in 1876 and created undies not only for men but women too. B.V.D. was located in the Empire State Building in New York, and also manufactured and sold in Canada. These ads from 1934 and 1935 shows a sampling of their swimwear.

1934 B.V.D. ad

In 1929 B.V.D hired Olympic swimmer Johnny Weissmuller to model and represent the company at swimshows throughout the country wearing B.V.D swimwear.


Johnny Weismuller promotes B.V.D.

Happy Friday the 13th to all!

Out with the Old

noreply@blogger.com (Glamoursurf) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 09:12:00 PST

This image came from a Argentine brochure from 1939. I love the illustration and how it is attempting to imbue some sort of snobbery for the changing swimwear styles. Out with the old and in with the new.

Giorgio di Sant Angelo, Tribal Beauties collection 1988

noreply@blogger.com (Glamoursurf) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 06:46:00 PST

Giorgio di Sant Angelo, Tribal Beauties collection 1988

The designer most often associated with experimental new fibers in fashion is Giorgio di Sant Angelo. He worked with DuPont to devise no only suitable replacements for wool or acrylic, but fantastic ones: silk that could stretch in any direction and new fabrics that were transparent, took color beautifully, and could be painted, tie-dyed, or embroidered. From the 1960s to the 1990s, he worked with Lycra enhanced materials of all kinds to devise ensembles based on such versatile elements as bodysuits that could double as bathing suits or evening tops, and tubes that could be worn as tops, skirts, cummerbunds, or shrugs.

To see more on Sant Angelo please see our blog post here.

More Fun with Marilyn

noreply@blogger.com (Glamoursurf) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 07:21:00 PST

Lovely Marilyn Monroe shot in the mid to late 40s. I do believe these were taken on the same location, one is black and white, one in color. Which is your favorite? I'm kind of partial to the black and white myself. She looks so young, innocent and lovely all at the same time. Happy Monday all!

Turn of the Century Bathing Machine

noreply@blogger.com (Glamoursurf) — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 07:37:00 PST

This photo is from 1909 and shows just what seaside fun looked like back in the day. These monstrous wagons are called bathing machines. Bathers would use this contraption for changing into their bathing costume for a 'dip in the briny'. Horses pulled them in and out of the sea for the convenience of the modest.

Sex and Splendor at the Folies Bergere, 1909 Paris

noreply@blogger.com (Glamoursurf) — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 07:57:00 PST

The Follies Bergere opened in Paris in 1869 as a music hall and a place to hold operettas, pantomimes, political meetings and vaudeville acts. As the Parisian taste for striptease in the 1890s began to take hold, elaborate costumes and stage sets were created to enhance the spectacular nude shows. The "Place aux Jeunes" launched in 1886, was a revue style music hall show featuring scantily clad women in elaborate costumes. As you can imagine, the show was a huge success. This photo from 1909 shows just how elaborate some of the costumes were.

Marilyn Monday

noreply@blogger.com (Glamoursurf) — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 08:26:00 PST

Happy 2012!

1929 Beach Ensemble

noreply@blogger.com (Glamoursurf) — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 07:00:00 PST

Fabulous ad from 1929 featuring a wool jersey swimming suit, a bathing frock and beach pyjamas all for Bonwit Teller. The illustration is just magnificent and I hope you enjoy.

Fashionable Beach Swimwear & Cover Ups from 1965

noreply@blogger.com (Glamoursurf) — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 07:16:00 PST

Today we look at 1965 beach fashions of bold color and unusual designs.

Jantzens blazing dune bug stripe and polka dot two piece suit with accompanying cover up.

Jantzens black two piece black nylon midriff creation is called Net Profit.

Two piece hip rider suit by Cole features stunning orange and yellow flowers on a black background. Sleeved Ban-lon jersey outfit also includes a novel fish net coverall.

Coles' orange and yellow swimsuit features a stunning design taken from a Gauguin painting and is accompanied by a coyly seductive pareo, slit to the hip line.

Two piece sweater like swimsuit made of Acrilan off white cable knit with maillot trunks.

Sea B's bridal white lace bikini is paired with a transparent lace jacket which closes in the back.

Jantzens' Net Profit suit is my favorite, how about you?

Seaside Fashion - Towels for the Beach

noreply@blogger.com (Glamoursurf) — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 07:35:00 PST

Today we look a beach towels from 1956.

In addition to seaweed and sun soakers, next summers shores will be strewn with oversized towels with far fetched designs. Printed with everything from mummies to mermaids, the towels offer the sunbather a gaudy background and a good excuse for starting up conversations in the sand.

Turkish toweling, a two faced cotton fabric that is woven with loops on both sides, got it's start and it's name over a century ago when it was worn in that country for clothing. It has been used by American designers for occasional robes and beach dresses in solid colors but this seasons newest styles are being made in widely patterned stripes and checks to be worn with the new plain black swimsuits. Most of the towels measure 36" x 72".

Beach Middy - made of heavy striped toweling with loose turtleneck (Betty Metcalf $30) is worn with straw hat with band of flowers.

Imitation Burnoose, made of striped cotton lined with toweling (Helena Rubenstein $70.) can also be spread out on sand as a beach towel.

A Seaside Serape consists of a giant checkerboard pattern which is wrapped around the wearer and secured with straw beach hat.

Strapless dress made of boldly striped terrycloth and cinched with elastic belt (Mary Blair $18.) is worn with standard towel twisted around head.

Identical stripes which appear on cotton bathing suit (Cabana $18) and fringed towel (Wamsutta $10) match up swimmer to her spot in the sun.

So how about you, how do you re-purpose or use your beach towel?

There's GOLD in Those Panties!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Glamoursurf) — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 06:48:00 PST

This is one of the most beautiful confections I have ever seen and I wanted to share this with you my dear readers, as it must be worth it's weight in GOLD!!! Made from Dupont tricot nylon with 24 kt gold and Chantilly lace the manufacturer (Vanity Fair) advises against dry cleaning.

This Vanity Fair 'Cloth of Gold' panties and bra set is fairly rare and part of the higher end 'Conversation Pieces' line that was introduced in the mid 1950s. The label has the Vanity Fair logo in script which is embroidered in gold.

Then there is the luxury alluring fabric. The fabric consists of Vanity Fair nylon tricot that has been impregnated with 24kt gold. Despite the layer of gold the fabric remains soft, supple and drapable.

This line also consisted of a theatre slip, nightgowns, peignoir sets and these panties and briefs. They were offered in different fabric combinations; either with the all over gold as seen above, or with a base of black or white tricot with the gold applied stencil fashion throughout the Chantilly lace. There were also combinations of gold fabric appliqued or overlaid with Chantilly lace sometimes combined with sheer layers of nylon tricot in black over black or white over pink.

These Vanity Fair 'conversation pieces' were offered in sizes from 32-38 and were priced at $12.95 - $99.95, that's a whopping $105.00 - $805.00 in today's dollar. I'd say those are worth their weight in gold! This set is being offered on EBAY right now, I'll be watching.

UPDATE: Sold for $380.

Little Bits of Swimwear Evolution 1920s through 1950s

noreply@blogger.com (Glamoursurf) — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 07:46:00 PST

Ok all you vintage swimwear fans, here is a clip that has many decades of raw footage combined together to give to a good feel of the way swimwear has evolved from the 1920s through the early 1950s. There are quite a few interesting tidbits in this piece, one of particular interest to me is that bombshell of a suit above. Seen at about the 2:29 mark. Enjoy!

It's an Hermes Swimsuit, and it could be yours!

noreply@blogger.com (Glamoursurf) — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 09:29:00 PST

YES! Not only is it Hermes, but it's from 1938, has a Zodiac pattern and will be up on the auction block this Thursday December 1, 2011 at Christies in South Kensington. The auction titled "Fashion" will feature this Hermes bathing suit; ground printed with Hermès ZODIAQUE print, with elasticated over skirt at the front, the back with zip closure.

OK, OK, it's not only Hermes up for bid, but also Madame Gres, YSL, Poiret, Fortuny, Ossie Clark....need I go on? THUD!

Detail shot from Christies e-catalogue

The Hunt for the Perfect Christmas Tree

noreply@blogger.com (Glamoursurf) — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 07:40:00 PST

Isn't this gorgeous? It was such a beautiful day on Saturday we decided to take advantage of the sunshine, fresh air and get some exercise.

We started a new tradition this year in the Fierro household of going out to cut down the holiday Christmas tree on Thanksgiving weekend. Dear daughter was home so we headed out to the Santa Cruz mountains just above Los Gatos.

There were so many types, sizes and shapes of trees. How do you pick just one?

Daughter spotted a few but it was actually my husband who picked out the perfect tree this year.

We got it home and took down some of the decorations. We decided to go with all silver and white lights and bulbs this year. It sure looks pretty and smells so good. Now all we need is to start wraping and making some gifts to put underneath; then the cookie making begins!

We hope you have a joyous and festive holiday season spent with family and friends. From our house to yours, we wish you a Happy December!!!

Holidays are for Sharing

noreply@blogger.com (Glamoursurf) — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 07:15:00 PST

And that's what we'll be doing. We're hoping you enjoy your Thanksgiving day sharing with friends and family. Until next week friends, Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

The Hood Makes the Swimsuit

noreply@blogger.com (Glamoursurf) — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 07:03:00 PST

This is the photo that got me started on this recent quest, searching for the hood. Isn't she glamourous? That knit confection she's wearing on her head is exactly what I want, and I'd like it attached to a swimsuit please. I know, how impractical, but I love fashion with just a bit of whimsy and with elements that aren't typically expected, and hey, swimwear is my passion.

John Rawlings

So my quest began. I've lots of images of swimcaps, but I've blogged about that previously and today I'm looking for the hood.

John Rawlings

You might find your self coveting the oversize beach hat, which is another look I just adore. Not to mention that you can keep yourself covered with your own portable shade screen. But it's not a hood.

Another option, which has it's own history, is the cover-up. I lend this picture to show how a small beach cape could be worn with a matching cap. A variation on this style also lends itself to wear as a skirt at times. But again, not a hood.

1950 Loomis Dean

But here we go, we're getting closer. A small capelet that forms a hood to be worn over your swimsuit. How cute is that? It looks to be lined in terrycloth and is easily taken off for swimming. Glamourous and practical.

Another option is to bring and wear a small throw or lightweight blanket, multipurpose and bit more relaxed. It serves the purpose.

Josete Walker

Ahh, here we go. Nina Ricci saves the day in 1966. This is it. Right? Right. Except she wasn't the first. Let's go back a bit further.

1966 Nina Ricci

That's right, Claire McCardell brought is the hooded wool knit swimsuit in 1954!

1954 - Claire McCardell Attached hood and high back set off bare arms in one-piece wool knit jersey suit, the hood will not replace a bathing cap but it can be folded into a high turtle neck for swimming.

So who's got one? My circle would be complete!!