Monday, February 28, 2011

Retro: Kimmer

Retro: Kimmer

Link to Retro: Kimmer

RETRO: KIMMER HANGING OUT IN WYANDOTTE...

Posted: 28 Feb 2011 07:33 PM PST



Went out to Wyandotte, Michigan Friday night to hang with Rikki St James and get ready for a photo trip to Detroit for the 2011 Autorama Car Extravaganza. Wyandotte is a way cool little town full of art, restaurants, shops, and very unique architecture.

The Three Stooges used to play here, as did the Marx brothers. They had a really popular vaudeville theater in Wyandotte back in the day... The apartment buildings where both sets of entertainers once stayed still stand.


Wyandotte's Dragon

There is a sculptor that lives in Wyandotte and he keeps his major pieces placed around town. His yard probably isn't large enough to accomodate his works.

The first time I came out here I was on a mad tour around the clubs and galleries. As I was standing on a street corner waiting for my friend to stop yakking on his cell... I noticed a giant COW on the corner. LOL! Well it was really a long horn steer. Cow to me I guess... I thought ... hmm wonder what deep meaning is behind Wyandotte featuring a giant iron cow on the street corner?


Rikki St James and his Dragon friend

On this trip we went out to eat and we stopped by the very handsome and intimidating Dragon sculpture. I made RSJ pose for me and he decided to attack the poor thing!


RSJ stabs the dragon...

We went to this very nice restaurant Nanna's Kitchen so I decided to show my readers their menu... They have great breakfast and Greek Coney Island style food. I have been here 3 times now.




Nanna's Kitchen Wyandotte



RSJ contemplates his options....



The Marx Brothers lived here...



Close up of Marx Brothers building...

Well we have had really great times out here and when the weather warms up we'll shoot more photos of the river front... We plan to visit this cool museum and a cemetary where some of The Purple Gang are interred. We also plan a trip over to Grosse Isle to see another of Harry Bennett's Hideaways.

Thanks so much RSJ! xxooK

DETROIT WEEKEND RETRO: KIMMER AND THE MOTOR CITY BAD BOYS...

Posted: 28 Feb 2011 07:21 PM PST


Rikki St James Kimmer Glenn and Sheila Dean in the "D"

This past Saturday I decided that I wanted to go to downtown Detroit and shoot Autorama. It occurred to me that Glenn Dean and Rikki St James (of the Motor City Bad Boys band) might like to trip along with Kimmer as they are both gear heads too...


Motor City Bad Boys Glenn Dean and Rikki st James

Turns out they were definitely up for the gig. Rikki our group supervisor... came up with a plan for us to meet up with Glenn and Sheila Dean at the Greek Town Casino, then ride the People Mover over to Cobo Exhibition Center for the show.

The traffic on Saturday afternoon was monstrous. It was snowing and bumper to bumper. Took us forever to get to the parking structure. But we finally made it to the 8th floor and parked the Jeep.


Shot this out the Casino window (behind the building)

So we get to the 8th floor of the parking lot, then make our way into the casino to meet the Deans. RSJ and I are making our way through the crowded Casino and of course, I was walking at a pretty good clip and messing with my cameras when... you guessed it... I ran right into a stanchion pole! You know the velvet ropes with poles... Ran right over it and wiped out in the middle of the Casino! OMG

Sorry no photos of that fiasco. RSJ is in shock and he and a really nice lady grabbed me and I was popped back up really quick. Shades of the Masonic Temple! A bunch of people and RSJ were making sure I was ok, which I was... and off we went again. Sheesh!


Greek Town Detroit Michigan

We look all over for Glenn and Sheila on the 3rd floor but... they are not there. The cell phone starts blowing up and it turns out that Glenn had to jump out of the car in a hurry and poor Sheila was left driving around the block (in that traffic) trying to find him!

Rikki saw Sheila's car across the street from us and we ran over and jumped in her car. Then we headed BACK to the parking structure AGAIN... LOL

This time we went back into the Casino and found Glenn sitting on a bench. Now we were a foursome so went ran off to the People Mover for the ride across town to Cobo Show.


Kimmer shooting out the People Mover Window

See the velvet ropes behind the people below??




Sheila Dean and Kimmer at Cobo Hall

Finally we get to Cobo for the Autorama Car Show. It has been a long time since I have been in this venue. I produced a ton of shows here years ago so it was sweet to be back "home". Cobo was always my favorite convention center in the United States. Of course I am biased toward Detroit as you all know...


Kimmer with her favorite Little Red Corvette



My favorite of all the cars... Such a ho9t car... There were so many fine rides at this show. In the past there were so many hot rods and celebrity stuff. This time Cobo was packed with just beautiful classic cars and not just cars from television.


Rikki Kimmer and Glenn at the Cobo Bar


Sheila Dean channeling Vanna White :)

There was this fabulous Black Charger at the show. It had the roof lowered and was just gorgeous. I am not a big Mopar fan but this Charger was just to die for...



I have always loved the Chevelle... all except 1968 (bad taillights)



This blue I think it's a 1972 is so hot! Love that blue...

I shot a little funny video of Rikki and Glenn Dean.... I began shooting video when my batteries went dead on the the still camera.



Here is my photo slide show of most of my shots...

Thank you RSJ, Glenn and Sheila! xxooK

Thanks to the nice folks who took our photos with my camera.

And Special thanks for the laughter from "Jack and Jill" on the People Mover!

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Latest articles from Retro To Go


eBay watch: 1960s Angelo Mangiarotti Saffo space age table lamp

Posted: 28 Feb 2011 11:55 AM PST

Saffa

A design that doesn't come up very often, so there's sure to be some interest in this Angelo Mangiarotti Saffo table lamp.

A great example of space age design for Artemide, it was originally produced in 1966, with this example coming with the manufacturer's decal and signed with a moulded mark to underside of base. It even comes with the original box. Nice.

For your money, you get a lamp with a hand-blown, smoked Murano glass diffuser and a chrome-plated base, not to mention plenty of style. It's sold out of France, so if you're not there, you'll need to sort out the electrics. Easy enough though. Current bidding price is £68.44.

Find out more at the eBay website

Bright Stuff Dress from ModCloth

Posted: 28 Feb 2011 10:39 AM PST

Brightstuff

While chic and subtle nude shades made up much of fashion's retro fodder in 2010, many brands are bringing colour back into our wardrobes with style. This Bright Stuff Dress from ModCloth provides a vintage inspired dress that's ideal for Spring and Summer days.

The simple short sleeves and mid-hemline cut are given some femininity and retro chic with the red belt and matching Peter Pan collar. With a primary coloured plaid check, the dress takes fifties and sixties inspiration without going over the top.

It's available now from ModCloth for $64.99.

Find out more from the website

Red Temptation Mary-Janes by Melissa

Posted: 28 Feb 2011 10:15 AM PST

Temptation

Mary-Janes have become a classic in womens footwear, spanning generations with their retro appeal and versatility. While there are cheaper high street versions available, these Red Temptation II Mary-Janes by Melissa are irresistibly kitsch.

Made from the brand's signature flexible plastic materials, the high shine goes beyond glossy patent leather to create a look that's ideal for vampish fifties and sixties looks alike. The bombshell red, or alternative black shade are ideal for a shoe with simplistic structure and killer looks. As a cutesy finish, they even smell like bubblegum.

Get them online from Dollydagger in the UK for £75.

Find out more from the website

Linea lidded ceramic pot

Posted: 28 Feb 2011 05:45 AM PST

Linea pot
Although it's a contemporary design, Linea's lidded ceramic pot has something of the look of studio pottery of the 60s and 70s.

Sadly, I don't think it is hand-made but the stoneware pot does have a rather attractive raised diamond design. Add to that its purple glaze and you've got a piece that looks more unusual than its high street origin may suggest. 

A high street price attached to it too: the pot costs £30.

Buy it from House of Fraser

60s-style Neptune pendant at BHS

Posted: 28 Feb 2011 05:37 AM PST

BHS
The latest lighting collection from BHS has obvious retro influences. We've already shown you the 70s-esque Mason mushroom lamp, while - as perhaps could be guessed from its name - this Neptune pendant looks to 60s Space Age style. 

The steel pendant is a variation on the classic sputnik look, with eight satellite arms and lights coming off the central ball. 

As you'd expect from the store, it's reasonably priced too. The pendant costs £100. 

Order it online

Gumball Jar by Jonathan Adler

Posted: 28 Feb 2011 05:00 AM PST

Gumball

The colourful creations of homewares designer extraordinaire Jonathan Adler rarely stray from a retro influence and this cheerful Gumball Jar is no exception.

Jonathan Adler's ceramics are beautiful modern design classics that you will treasure for years to come. The bright 60s-style teardrop pattern on the porcelain pot is an ideal addition to any retro home. It even comes complete with gumballs!

The Gumball Jar is $48 from the Jonathan Adler website.

Oriental Sun So Shoes by Irregular Choice

Posted: 28 Feb 2011 03:00 AM PST

Shoe

The sun is almost out and all those summer holidays and parties are beckoning. There is no better way to channel your inner 50s Polynesian beauty than with these Oriental Sun So Shoes by the ever unique Irregular Choice.

The carved wooden heels give an authentic retro look, harking back to the days of luaus, tiki torches and Elvis playing the ukulele. Team with a Hawaiian print dress and an oversized flower in your hair for full on 50s tiki bombshell chic.

£149 from Dollydagger. See their website for more details.

Inke Vintage Wallpaper Interiors Wall Graphics

Posted: 28 Feb 2011 02:46 AM PST

 Inkeinteriors 

 
Inke Heiland's Vintage Wallpaper Wildlife collection has been around for some time, but what you might not have seen before is the Dutch designer's Interiors Wall Decorations.

This series consists of cut-outs of a chair, a table, two types of pot plants and various styles of lamp, which are supplied with the paste and brush to enable you to add the graphic to your wall.  They are made from vintage wallpaper, mainly from the 1970s if the predominance of green and orange florals is anything to go by, although the selection will vary as one design sells out and is replaced by another.

The table cut-out costs £50, the chair £45 and all other designs £38 from Supernice

Danish Large Teak Commode

Posted: 28 Feb 2011 02:07 AM PST

Teakcommode 
Back in August, we featured the Danish Teak Bedside Cabinets, which have been bestsellers for Plümo (not that we are taking all of the credit).  For their Spring 2011 Collection, they have added a variation in this Large Teak Commode.

The larger model (pictured above with the popular original) has two drawers, but still has the same curved edges and splayed legs that gave the original its popular midcentury look. Although new in to Plümo, you will have to wait a while for this item to be made, but it is probably worth the wait.

Buy the Teak Commode from Plümo for £398.

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