Over the years I have discovered, researched, fell in love with, and collected dozens of classic films. I had a bit of a hard time choosing 10 favorites, but I hope you may find a new favorite among my list!
10. Gilda (1946)
*Check out my previous post on the inspirational wardrobe from this film! —>Inspired
9. Jailhouse Rock (1957)
One of Elvis’ most iconic films, not to mention track of the same title. I love this movie not only for how handsome Elvis is, but for the choreography in the number…what else, Jailhouse Rock.
8. Cover Girl (1944)
Gene Kelly + Rita Hayworth=GOLD. The hair in this film is to die-for! With different styles full of curls this movie is worth watching for inspiration.
7. Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1958)
Originally a play written by Tennessee Williams, this film focuses on marital and family issues starring Paul Newman and Elizabeth Taylor. Apparently, they used Elizabeth Taylor’s infamous image of a homewrecker to promote this film (her scandalous relationship with Eddie Fisher, who left his wife Debbie Reynolds for her….Elizabeth and Debbie were best friends.)
6. How to Marry a Millionaire (1953)
Stars Lauren Bacall, Marilyn Monroe, and Betty Grable. The fashion and lifestyle is fun to watch. Specifically this scene:
5. Giant (1956)
One of James Dean’s 3 major films, it stars Rock Hudson and Elizabeth Taylor.
4. Gone with the Wind (1939)
Frankly my dear, you should just watch this movie.
3. Street Car Named Desire (1951)
Another Tennessee Williams Play, this stars Marlon Brando (in a hunky tshirt) and Viven Leigh (Gone with the Wind).
2. Rebel Without a Cause (1955)
James Dean in the red jacket.
Singing in the Rain (1952)
This is my favorite film because of the creative direction Gene Kelly put into it. Not only did star in the movie. He choreograph the numbers and directed as well.
Have you seen any of these films? What are your favorites?
I do my best in learning about vintage fashion and lifestyle, and that is extensive research. I have dozens of books about history and this one in particular just happens to be a lucky find at a used book store. It gives vivid illustrations, descriptions and facts about the life in 1946. Below, I share with you some of my favorite pages and hopefully you an pick up a few new facts about life in 1946.
Fashion:
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Everyday Life:
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Pop Culture:
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Life after the war and other lost arts:
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I’m planning to complete the “Live It Again” series. You can too by clicking here.
It was perfection! The costumes, the choreography, the dancers, the MUSIC. Filled my hear with ultimate joy. My previous post on Cinderella (2015) AND this year’s performance by Ballet Manila, has made Cinderella my ultimate favorite princess. This was Ballet Manila’s first take on the production, with original choreography from no other than Lisa Macuja-Elizade (she also played the Fairy Godmother!) Click here for behind the scenes!
I brought along my mom and dad for the first time, and they LOVED it! My brother also enjoyed the detailed set designs, pointing out the moving hand on the clock about to stroke midnight! This production is by far my favorite, and I am so proud of Ballet Manila. They bring the best of ballet to Filipinos!
I had a Cinderella inspired outfit. Basically, I realized I had a dress that matched the Cinderella shade. Added pearls and a black ribbon and my favorite black coat.
We all know Playboy. Playboy fueled the everyday man’s fantasy, lifestyle and let’s say…inspiration. Their famous centerfolds from aspiring models, famous women and rising stars. To men’s tips on the perfect golf swig and the right color tie to bring out your masculinity.
Society views Playboy as sexualizing women. Opinions are made where men’s reading material is known to be dirty, vulgar and disrespectful. Even towards the women who choose to pose in those nudie spreads receive shame from the conservative. However, I see no difference with women’s magazines. Women’s magazines can be just as dirty, with countless ‘advice’ columns on how to reach an orgasm and those ‘confessions’ famous in Cosmopolitan, and even to the women gracing the covers in a sexual manner. But how come those women don’t receive shame, rather praise? Women sexualize men just as they do in Playboy. We spread men on our centerfolds with nothing but a pair of jeans or undies. (not complaining)
Women’s Health vs. FHM-is there a difference?
Of course, Playboy isn’t the only magazine that carry this kind of content. There are countless titles from FHM, Maxim, Nuts, GQ, Esquire.…And for the women? Cosmopolitan, In Style, Glamour, Marie Claire, and even Women’s Health…more, I know there is more. So, women are just as dirty as men making it a fair game. Today we see the progress in women’s magazines becoming equal to that of men’s. But it is not enough, there is still the stigma of being overtly sexual as a woman. There is a misconception of today’s feminist that stand against these ‘dirty men’s magazines’, but they tend to forget that we too expose the men. So, why do we see them differently?
Before the epic 1953 launch of Playboymaking sex mainstream, popular pornographic material was kept underground. Society liked to keep things secret. Owning such material was considered dirty, like a fetish of some sort. We also have to look at how mid-century women’s magazines were pre-women’s lib. Articles strictly stuck to keeping house, matching your drapes to the perfect foyer and the recipe to Susie’s favorite chocolate chip cookies. You won’t find Jenny, 23 from Makati with her confession of a quickie with Tom in the janitor’s closet. And that defines the difference as to why we view these sexual magazines as taboo.
Marilyn Monroe gracing the first issue of Playboy
Like I said Playboy wasn’t the only dirty magazine. My friend Adi got me something amazing for my birthday. He found a 1957 issue of Nugget Magazine at an antique store in Quezon City. A little frail around the edges and the seam, which I saved by enclosing in a plastic cover. The colors of the pages are still as vibrant as it would be when it was orignally published. Nugget was one of those wannabe Playboys. It’s basically the poor man’s Playboy. Articles are bland, from fantasy stories about women, to how to cook a perfect steak. Their centerfolds aren’t exactly the top of the list either. Mostly unknowns, these women are much more vulgar (for a 1957 issue that is). The photography seems to be shot by an amateur, but nevertheless the women are beautiful. Illustrations full of cheeky jokes, and many many photos of women and their assets.
The equivilant to the women’s perfect meat loaf.
An article on Howard Hughes.
“Hi, Tommy…and Linda too? Now this is a surprise” (Original caption.)
Terrible humor in today’s standards.
Featured is Joy Harmon, best known for her infamous car wash scene from “Cool Hand Luke” (Starring Paul Newman). This scene launched the iconic sexiness of washing a car!
The centerfold’s came with no proper interviews, rather a commentary of the photoshoot. Specifying on a seduction and sexual advances between model and photographer.
For me, this is a special rare find. Nugget was unknown to me and it still is. I literally could not find anything online besides former covers on Google Images. There seems to be no website, or even a Wikipedia page. If anyone does find something please let me know I would love to learn more about this publication! Owning this magazine is one of the greatest gifts I have received. Being able to gaze through the dated articles and detailed editorials let’s me be in 1957 from a man’s perspective. It gives an authentic idea of how times have definitely changed.
Last Monday, I was graced with an invitation to Hubblogathon hosted by Impact Hub Manila. Hubblogathon was a day where 20+ bloggers gathered together to share their ideas, listen to experienced bloggers and talk with local entrepreneurs who began their businesses with a cause.
Since I am still new to the blogging community it was a perfect experience being able to go beyond my expertise. Meeting writers from all kinds of genres from beauty, travel, urban lifestyle, health, HIV awarness and the LGBT community, and even to cancer awarness. To be honest, I was a bit intimidated being the only fashion blogger. It’s easy to see a fashion blog as superficial, and that is why I am so thankful for going to this event. I was able to bring back the roots as to why I even started this blog. Being inspired by these other bloggers, and the entrepreneurs that I met gave me a clearer vision to the purpose of my writings. You see, never in my life did I ever think I would start a fashion blog. I began this blog because I have always loved to write. I began this blog because I have always loved to share my thoughts. I began this blog because I wanted to make a change.
Hubblogathon brought several guests to talk about their organizations that benefit the people. From BamBike, Hope In a Bottle, Mom’s Hause of Mushroom, and KKK Coffee among others. Inspiring to see that from the beginning each of these organizations/companies were driven to make an impact on the community.
Speakers Johan Janssens, Bryan Benitez McClelland, Ami Valdemoro, Jay Martin, Philippe Gaeng, and Princess Manzon
Check out Bam Bike!
It just so happens that my love for vintage fashion and the pin-up culture became acknowledged through Instagram and one little article on Buzzfeed. People started to notice and I began taking credit. It gave me the confidence to share my knowledge to those who are unaware of how great the pin-up culture really is. I want people to understand how the popularity of the modern day pin-up is playing a role in today’s feminist society. There is a large role of feminism in pin-up culture today; going from body confidence, equality, freedom of expression and so-on. What I’ve learned from Impact Hub Manila is just how important and powerful a blog can be. Even if I reach a small number of readers, those readers are enough for me to be happy that I have been heard. I’ve always wanted to advocate certain aspects of the women in the Philippines. Coming from a country full of corruption, poverty and inequality it can be very difficult for women to understand the importance of gender role.
The event made me push the reset button, and now I am fully inspired and have been brought back to the root of my blog in reaching my goal of showing how pin-up models and the women and men who are into “old fashioned cars, red lipstick, posing in a swimsuit and wear really old clothes” are actually really great role models. I wish to bring this sense of positivity to all women in the Philippines. It doesn’t necessarily mean you have to curl your hair, wear a petticoat all day and do your makeup for 30 minutes. That is just a great added factor to being a woman! My future writings will continue to emphasize on fashion, style, vintage videos, movies and inspirations. But, now my writings will be full of new valuable content spanning from social impact, environmental change, and women empowerment. Look forward to many collaborations, exclusives and open forums!
Mina Deocareza of Voice of the Youth and Joemar Belleza of baklapoako.com
Riding Clean with coffee entrepreneur Brian Tenorio and fellow blogger Audrey Tangonan.
I hope you continue with me on this blog not only for the beautiful dresses and old Hollywood starlets, but to understand and get an insight as to why I love this culture so much. I want to thank Impact Hub Manila for the great experience, and for all of you who are interested in social and environmental impact, entreprenureal ideas and guidance, or would just love to become a member for co-working check out on Impacthub.ph .Each month they invite many business leaders to give talks where you can come in for FREE and listen in on their journey. Talks such as “Fuck Up Nights” where you learn from failed businesses to what they can achieve, to “Nailed It Nights” a talk on sucessful startups. Just check out their Facebook or website for updates on these events.
Vegas is one of the best city’s for vintage finds. The glamour of Vegas 1960s still lingers in the air. The feel of the Rat Pack drinking their whisky and Elvis singing his heart out. The desert heat, the new money and eccentric personalities all make Vegas the sin of all cities. Main St. is this amazing boulevard of shops. So many pinup shops full of beautiful gowns and unique clothing straight from mid-century.
When shopping in vintage stores you really have to be patient and really go treasure hunting. I found myself a few nylon scarves. I spent a good 2 hours lingering between shops. Stumbling upon old issues of Time magazine, vinyl records, posters, white gloves, trinkets from all over.
Retro Vegas had the best collection of authentic mid-century furniture. I wanted to buy everything! Not everything stays in Vegas.
