The stunning 1950s model Jean Patchett reading and drinking a glass of milk (or perhaps a White Russian?) photographed by Irving Penn in 1950. I wonder what she was reading..? Either way, doesn’t she look wonderful?
If you think how fashionable (and common) smoking was in the 1950s it was pretty inevitable for Marilyn Monroe to smoke, but you very rarely seem to see photos or footage of her smoking. Here’s a photo of her lighting up with Edward R. Morrow, who I think was an American Journalist in the 50s.
Gosh, I’m a poet and I didn’t know it! This is such a lovely cover. It’s from Vogue January 1952 and the colours are beautifully vibrant. Her manicure is wonderful too, I just don’t have the manual dexterity to manage somthing like that! Does anyone know who the model is?
Norma Jeane DiMaggio’s (better known as Marilyn Monroe of course) US Department of Defense ID card from 1954. This was presumably issued when she was on a tour entertaining the troups in Korea. You can see photos of her USO tour here and here, which she claimed “was the best thing that ever happened to […]
The colours in this 1950s outfit are fabulous aren’t they? I love how much people enjoyed colour in the 50s, I wonder whether it was part of the celebration after the austerity of the war years. Still, hot pink, purple and green all in one outfit? Wowsers!
Marilyn Monroe looks fabulous in this costume test photo from 1954 doesn’t she? I wish I could dress like this, but I guess even in the 1950s only the most well-to-do women had hair, diamonds and furs like this so it would have been far from typical. Still, doesn’t she look wonderful? Does anyone know […]
Enjoying the pool at Jones Beach State Park, New York, June 1953. Photograph by B. Anthony Stewart, National Geographic.
Marilyn photographed wearing very long leather (I think?) gloves and a rather pointy top. I have to say she’s looking smashing though…
A beautiful flower-print 1950s dress with a big circle skirt on the cover of the 1958 Spiegel Catalog Cover. I love the fact that she’s got a sweater with a matching pattern to the dress!
A simply wonderful 1950s evening gown photographed by Cecil Beaton. I particuarly like Beaton’s fashion photographs, they are always so soft and alluring – absolutely beautiful! The photo was taken in 1953.
The glorious Elizabeth Taylor photographed on set during the filming of Suddenly, Last Summer in 1959. I love that green dress…
The models in this photo are Evelyn Tripp (left) and Dovima (center) but does anyone know who the model on the right is? Maybe Lucinda Hollingsworth…?
Audrey Hepburn with big lips shrouded in a flowery scarf on the cover of Harpers Bazaar from April 1956. Lovely as always. Those were the days eh? When a glossy magazine cost just 60 cents!
The one and only Marilyn Monroe and the walk that helped make her famous. What a killer wiggle eh?
In 1953 the BBC created a time-lapse video of the train journey between London and Brighton. 30 years later in 1983 they did exactly the same again, and again 30 years later in 2013. This video shows you the 3 journeys side by side showing how much Britain has changed since the 1950s. It’s […]
The lovely Jean Patchett wearing a lilac gown and amazing red coat photographed for Vogue October 1950. She somehow makes sitting on an ordinary chair into something spectacular!
A lovely candid photo of Audrey Hepburn looking shocked, 1950s! Isn’t it charming?
1950s singer Buddy Holly in a photo booth with Waylon Jennings in Central Station, New York City in 1959.