Checks of a Different Stripe

ROCK HUDSON

MICHAEL RENNIE

SHELLEY WINTERS

The Cougar Chronicles

Minimalist Fashion

Evolution

Last photo via MATTADORE!

Yes, Yes, Annette...

...we want those shades!

Glamour Patch Kids

Inspired by JASON!

Baby, it's Cold Outside

Dress appropriately.

Do it Debbie's Way!

With a scarf, support hose, and safety gays.

Why, Grandma...

...what fabulous eyewear you have!

Mad Hatter

Latest Sighting...

...of Felix, Cookie and Norma:

going undercover at the Dissatisfied Dipsomaniacal Republican Housewives Convention.

A Lady Must Accessorize!

With pearls, a poodle, and a poof.

The Velvet Touch

The 1957 Cadillacs + Arlene Francis narrating in her inimitable, plummy style + a velvet-themed fashion show featuring Charles James and Maurice Rentner gowns and accessories (including a velvet cigarette holder!) = our idea of a wet dream.

The Winter of Our Discontent

It recently occured to us that we've been neglectful in commenting on our friends' blogs. It isn't because we don't care, darlings - because we do! The holidays are a mad rush for us (at our throats, as Noel Coward would say); since we usually only have time to absorb all of your marvelous blogs in one breathless sitting, we often feel insufficiently witty to leave comments. But trust us: we do check in, and giggle, and goggle, and occasionally gleefully glom your photos (e.g., Infomaniac, from whence this sensitive study of Miss Shelley Winters was stolen). So if at words poetic we're so pathetic these days, please be patient and understanding, possums. We love you!

From the Ridiculous to the Sublime

"DOROTHY COLLINS, the pert and pretty vocalist of television's YOUR HIT PARADE fame, possesses one of the most delightful singing voices and readily recognizable faces in the entertainment world. A native of Windsor, Ontario, she has probably been seen and heard by more Americans than any other TV star in the business. As a featured star of YOUR HIT PARADE she was a welcome visitor each week in millions of American homes on both radio and TV. More recently she has delighted TV viewers over a two year period with her marvelous performances on CANDID CAMERA. She has acted the role of everything from a department store dummy to a bewildered bride on her honeymoon, to the driver of an automobile without an engine, which proved to be one of the all time comic highlights of this program. Many fans are seeing Dorothy in a new light - a gracious hostess, a fine actress, a talented comedienne, as well as an outstanding vocalist.

"Some of the top network television programs on which has appeared with regularity as a guest artist are: THE HOLLYWOOD PALACE, THE DANNY KAYE SHOW, THE PERRY COMO SHOW, BELL TELEPHONE HOUR, GARY MOORE SHOW, PASSWORD, MIKE DOUGLAS SHOW, MERV GRIFFIN SHOW, and many others.

"The versatile Miss Collins has become much in demand as a musical comedy star and night club entertainer, as well as being sought after for television appearances. Setting records throughout the nation she has portrayed the lead roles in "CAROUSEL," "SOUTH PACIFIC," "BRIGADOON," "THE UNSINKABLE MOLLY BROWN," "MY FAIR LADY," "THE SOUND OF MUSIC," "ANNIE GET YOUR GUN" and "DO I HEAR A WALTZ?" amonh others.

"In addition, her night club engagements read like a "Who's Who" of the top niteries, including the Thunderbird in Las Vegas, the Moulin Rouge in Hollywood, Harrah's Club in Lake Tahoe, the Cocoanut Grove in Los Angeles and the famous Copacabana in New York City.

"She has also recorded a formidable list of best selling singles and LP recordings.

"Recently she was married to singer-actor RON HOLGATE."

DOROTHY COLLINS

November 18, 1926 - July 21, 1994

Putting on the Dog

Gloria Grahame: she's just a girl who cain't say no to one more accessory.

Why Don't You...

...play a sly trick on a style icon?


This January 1963 Bazaar cover has been the source of controversy and speculation since it first hit newsstands nearly half a century ago. The cover model ("Dani") was rumored to have been made up to parody the legendary Diana Vreeland, who had recently defected from Bazaar to its arch rival, Vogue.


Certainly, Dani was a marked switch from the remote, icy mannequins who usually graced the fashion magazine covers at the time: her near-camp, wry smile; decidedly "handsome" features; blue-black hair; and flamboyant cigarette holder make a good case indeed for an extravagant "in joke" perpetrated by Bazaar and photographer Richard Avedon. The ensuing cover made enough of an impact that even columnist Walter Winchell jumped into the fray. The mystery remains unsolved, but another clue lies further within the same issue's pages:


This striking image appears in a fashion layout entitled "Carte Blanche Chic," a seven page spread in which two other models appear in all but this one photo. This chic lady makes just this one, prominent, full page appearance, and is noticeably older and styled quite differently from the other two models. She also bears more than a passing resemblance to Kay Thompson as"Maggie Prescott" in Funny Face (1957) - a character acknowledged as being based, at least in part, on Mrs. Vreeland.



If she were aware of the joke, we'd like to think that Mrs. Vreeland took it with good humor, and also as a compliment to her singular, influential style. After all, to get one over on D.V. took - let's face it - pizazz.

Misty Watered Colored Mem'ries

We always looked forward to father-son weekends.

Muff Monday

Dive into fashion.

One Thing is Certain...

We're convinced she has bells on her toes.