Inspired: Pattie Boyd by Traeger

A while ago on the blog I mentioned that I was hoping to start sharing various look books, spreads from the fashion world and work of photographers that inspire me not only style wise but also in the sense of art and design. Though I am no longer studying under this industry I am still passionate about it - always imagining, always keeping my eye out and still often like to sit down once in a while to put my ideas onto paper.

I've recently been looking over past spreads from Vogue in the 1960's. I thought I'd share this spread of Pattie Boyd photographed by Ronald Traeger. Here she is wearing dresses from Jean Varon and Foale & Tuffin. She looks stunning in this wig and I love how simple the shoot is: just a chair, beautiful clothes and the creativity of model and photographer working together. This spread featured in the April 1965 issue of UK Vogue.

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I've Been Away (There She Goes Again)

It is quite clear that I've been quite quiet in the blogging world as of the past couple of weeks and I apologize to you, my readers. But I must provide some explanation of my absence and make you aware that, regretfully, a vast series of unfortunate events has occurred. Due to privacy of myself and those involved I will refrain from providing any details of such events other than the fact that there has been a sudden and significant family loss. There is no telling when things will slow down back to a more steady pace and so posting will continue to be staggered and my commenting on my favourite blogs will remain rare. However, I will let you know that I am still trying to keep up to date and I am still lurking about on here even if my presence isn't show!

                 

To lighten up this post a bit, I thought I'd quickly shove in a little 'There She Goes Again' segment. This time around it is Pattie Boyd and this gorgeous calve-lengthed coat. Pattie looked fabulous in it and was seen wearing it numerous times in 1967 and 1968. Here she's seen with her then husband, George Harrison, at Abbey Road studios, and (below) at the UNICEF benefit concert featuring the Beach Boys at the Palais de Chailloy, Paris 1967.

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There She Goes Again

For this "There She Goes Again" post, the spot light lies on Pattie Boyd. I have always loved this picture, on the right, of the model and her husband, Beatle George Harrison. It was taken on May 23rd 1968, the day of the opening party for Apple Tailoring. The couple look stunning in their stylish, psychedelic gear. One thing in particular that I always loved about Pattie's outfit was her shoes. Those beautiful green and blue sandals with a block heel. Not long ago I found another picture of her wearing these same shoes. This time in a picture taken on the 17th of May 1968, at the Cannes Film Festival for the World Premiere of "Wonderwall", a film in which George Harrison had composed the soundtrack for. 

I know that by these dates given that Pattie only wore these shoes again literally within less than a week, but it still made me smile to see her wearing them again. It was really tough to try and decide upon a modern alternative for those lovely shoes of Pattie's, but I decided upon these Privileged Poppy Green & Blue Colour Block Platform Heels. They were on sale for only $45.00 at Lulus.com but they've now sold out. Oops.

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Five Minute Pattie Boyd Hair Tutorial

Not long ago one of my Tumblr followers asked me if I could do a tutorial on one of the hairstyles Pattie Boyd was seen wearing in the 1960's. And I thought I'd give it a shot. Unfortunately my hair is too long to replicate this gorgeous 'do, so my completed hairstyle is merely an adaptation, more reminiscent of Miss Boyd's barnet on her wedding day to Beatle George Harrison in 1966. But if you have hair at a similar length to Pattie's in this adorable 1964 picture of her, the look should be spot on if you follow my seven simple steps. And it only takes five minutes!

YOU WILL NEED:

- A good brush

- A 'rat tail' teasing comb

- A black hair-tie

- Thick black ribbon

Note: This style works best one to two days after washing your hair.
For medium to thick hair. 

STEP ONE:

Tame your hair by giving it a good brush. 

STEP TWO:

Brush hair (excluding your fringe/bangs) away from your face and towards the back of the head. 

STEP THREE:

Run your two thumbs from just above your ears to the upper back of your head, separating your hair into two groups. Make sure it is quite smooth with your brush!

STEP FOUR:

Pull it right up into a smooth high ponytail, right on top of your head.

Secure with black hair tie.

STEP FIVE:

Gently pull at the side of the ponytail and fan your hair out to come down around the sides of your face.

STEP SIX:

Slide the teasing comb into the top part of your hair above the fringe and gently push forward to create a buffy look. You could call this a cheat's way at getting your hair to look a little teased when you are in a rush or on the go. Make sure it is quite even all around.

STEP SEVEN:

Tie in a thick black ribbon, brush your hair and fringe so it falls nicely, spritz a little hair spray and ta-da!

If you like, and if you aren't in a rush, you can always also curl your hair at the ends for a sweeter look. You can also improvise and swap the ribbon with a cute hair clip, or even wrap an extra bit of hair around the hair-tie like Cynthia Lennon, who was also seen wearing a similar hairstyle in the 1960's. Give it a whirl.

Let me know if you need further clarification. I hope you enjoyed!

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Playing Pattie

This afternoon I decided to play dress up again. So far I've been Edie Sedgwick, Twiggy and Marianne Faithfull, but this time I decided to prance around the house as Pattie Boyd playing the darling school girl from The Beatles' first film, "A Hard Day's Night". Oh how much fun it would have been to be in her place way back in 1964 and having the opportunity to meet and befriend The Beatles on set, not to mention being a fab British model. Ever since first seeing her  many years ago whilst watching the film for the first time I wished I were as pretty and fabulous as her. Unfortunately I no longer have my Pattie hair like I did a couple of years ago (now I've opted for a Marianne Faithfull x Maureen Starkey look), but I gave it my best shot!

Outfit:

- white peter pan collar blouse

- the boys black tie

- tweed mini dress with matching belt

- white stockings

- black kitten heels with bows

Images: (1. 2. 3. 4. 5.)

The Beatle Birds at Battersea

In March 1964, a special edition magazine titled "Beatles Make A Movie" was published in order to promote the release of The Bealtes' first film "A Hard Day's Night". Included within the magazine was an article about the three girls who were given a chance to make an appearance in the film with their four Liverpudlian idols. These girls were Pattie Boyd, Isla Blair and Pure Bury. Accompanying the article was a series of photographs taken of the delighted dolly-birds at the Battersea Fun Fair. 

Isla Blair, Prue Bury and Pattie Boyd

I would have absolutely loved to have spent the day with these three fab girls. It looks like it would have been a really fun photo shoot to do. 

If you are a Pattie fan like me, then I am quite certain that you would have seen the following images before. These were taken the same day by photographer Michael Ward.

And lastly a beautiful colour image.

Pattie looks stunning here. When I at last find a similar dress to what she wore during this photo shoot I am hoping to do my own replicating these photos.

On a different note, what do you think of this picture of Jane Birkin? 

Quite similar to this shoot of Pattie. Knee high socks, kitten heels and a park bench?

Coincidence?

Images: (1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.)

Backcombing: It looks great but what will it do to my hair?

One of my lovely Tumblr followers difference-is-gr8 asked me for some advice about backcombing (or teasing). Though it does look fabulous, can give you dollies a really authentic 60's look as well as open up a whole new world of brilliant hairstyles there are some realities about it that aren't what you'd hope for. Unfortunately you could almost call this a situation where you can't have your cake and eat it too. 

Yes, frequent backcombing can damage your hair. Dragging the comb backwards against the hair weakens it, making it brittle. Eventually the hairs will weaken to the point where there is frequent breakage. And of course, all of you dollies who have tried it will know that backcombing can create A LOT of knots in your hair, especially near the root where they can be very difficult to remove. Trying to untangle this nest of nasty knots weakens, breaks and pulls hairs out. Frequent application of hairspray, which most often goes hand in hand with backcombing, also has its disadvantages. It works to dry your hair out and clump it together, making it difficult to comb out. This also creates knots which as mentioned previously damage hair.

However, if you care for you hair properly you can reduce the damage that backcombing (and hair spray) can cause. For starters, never never NEVER go to bed or hop in the shower (unless you're wearing a shower cap) without combing it out first. Though a lot of girls would leave their teasing in for a few days back in the 60's by wearing a snood or curler cap to bed, I would not recommend it. When brushing out the knots I personally find it easier as well as less painful to use a paddle brush with beads on the end of the bristles. Believe it or not, much more effective than trying to use a comb. Whilst in the process of backcombing try and use gentle strokes rather than big, forceful strokes that travel through large portions of hair at a time. Though this will take longer, it will not damage your hair as much and it will also make the backcombing appear neater.

If you have worn hairspray that day or night, make sure that you wash it at as soon as you get the opportunity to do so with a good conditioner to help strengthen your hair. Investing in a better quality hairspray can also help protect your hair.

Another way to help reduce damage caused by backcombing is of course to not do it so much. Have a look at some other types of hairstyles that were present within the 60's. There is so much out there. Take inspiration from your favourite 60's dolly. Though if you want that height that backcombing so fabulously creates, there are alternative ways of achieving it. What they call "Quiff Combs" are now available in some hair and accessory stores. I personally feel these don't work for me. But they could for you! There are other methods where you create a  bun at the upper back of your head and cover it with hair from the top of your head and fastening it at the back with pins.

"Quiff Comb"

Images (1. 2.)

Brown Dress, Black Boots

I've been so busy lately. From lying on the beach at night watching the stars beside an unlit bonfire, to spending a whole day scrubbing at the entire surface of a pool, I really cannot believe just how much I've lost track of time the past few weeks. Tonight I shall be staying at a beautiful resort hotel with my best friend. Believe it or not, I've never been to a hotel before, so this shall be a real treat! Then tomorrow we'll be spending the day at the zoo. And on Friday I'll be going for my very first road trip way up north, about a four or five hours drive away, and staying at another hotel! I shall be coming home on Monday night. I'm very excited. I love visiting places I've never been before. It all seems like an adventure to me.

 

Outfit:

- Brown dress with black polka-dots and chiffon sleeves

- Black suede boots

- Vintage tan leather belt

- Silver necklace with black beads

- Vintage black handbag

- Black hat

- Glasses

The ladies who inspired this outfit from Monday were the beautiful Anna Wohlin and Pattie Boyd.

Happy Birthday darling Pattie

17-3-1944