Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Retro: Kimmer

Retro: Kimmer

Link to Retro: Kimmer

HELEN SHAPIRO: WALKING BACK TO HAPPINESS...

Posted: 27 Jul 2011 12:54 PM PDT


Singer Helen Shapiro

Helen Shapiro is said to be the British Brenda Lee but I think both singers are completely unique...

Although too poor to own a record player, Shapiro's parents encouraged music in their home (Helen had to borrow a neighbor's record player to hear her first single). Shapiro played banjolele as a child and sang with her brother Ron occasionally in his youth club jazz group. She had a deep timbre to her voice, unusual in a girl not yet in her teens... school friends gave her the nickname "Foghorn". LOL Helen sounds like Cher or Stevie Nicks... Sounds familiar as people mistake my low voice as a guy on the phone too.

At the age of ten, Shapiro was a singer with "Susie and the Hula Hoops," a school band which included Marc Bolan (!!) (then using his real name of Mark Feld) as guitarist...



In 1961, at the age of fourteen, she had a UK #3 hit with her first single, "Don't Treat Me Like A Child" and two number one hits in the UK "You Don't Know". "Walkin' Back to Happiness" did not top the UK chart until 19 October 1961, by which time Shapiro had reached 15, 26 September.



She had a #2 in 1962 with "Tell Me What He Said", achieving her first four single releases in the top three of the UK Singles Chart. Most of her recording sessions were at EMI's studios at Abbey Road in north west London.



Helen's mature voice made her an overnight sensation, as well as the youngest female chart topper in the UK. At a mere 14 years and 316 days old when "You Don't Know" hit the top, she was nevertheless a year older than Frankie Lymon had been when "Why Do Fools Fall in Love" hit the UK number one slot in 1956. Helen on Wiki

Thanks Heather my doyenne of 60s coolness... XXOOK

[New post] Doctor Who companions- Leela

Doctor Who companions- Leela

Louise Jameson as Leela

The companions of Doctor Who have traditionally had a rough road to travel. Exposed to the terrors of outer space, mind control, natural disasters and killer plants or household items, they were often reduced to the role of the lady in distress. After several 'screamers,' producer Philip Hinchcliff and script editor Robert Holmes decided that there needed to be a change in the role of the companion. Created by author Chris Boucher (later of Blake's 7 fame), Leela was introduced in The Face of Evil as a futuristic savage from a collapsed Earth colonist society on a far off planet. Brutal and surviving on animal instinct rather than intelligence, she proved the perfect foil to the cerebral Doctor. Leela was popular with viewers, especially young female fans looking for a tough role model. The 'dad' audience was also head over heels with the scantily clad warrior and Leela has since become a cult icon of Doctor Who despite the reality that she was only on the program for a short period of time.

Louise Jameson starred opposite Tom Baker from Face of Evil in 1977 to The Invasion of Time in 1978. Classically trained, Jameson jarred with the loose acting style of Tom Baker who was no doubt intimidated by her appeal with viewers. The two are said to have had problems working together on the set, but it was never noticeable to me as a viewer.

Recreated in plastic form back in 1977, Leela was released as a second-hand Barbie-doll in the Doctor Who action figure line. Just last week, she debuted at the 2011 San Diego International Comic Con as the second classic Doctor Who companion to be released by Character Options. Packaged with her knife, Janus thorn, crossbow and stazer gun from Face of Evil, she is probably the most accessorized action figure in the line!

SDCC 2011 Leela in action figure format

Robots of Death clip
watch?v=D0hNrTST43U

Next week, the Sunmakers will finally be released on DVD.
The Sunmakers DVD trailer
watch?v=Bgx6nrpELa8

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Latest articles from Retro To Go

Latest articles from Retro To Go


Belle & Boo Pirate Party Melamine Set

Posted: 26 Jul 2011 11:52 AM PDT

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Retro To Go favourites Belle and Boo continue to expand their product range with ever more little characters and scenes appearing on an increasing range of products, the latest of which is this Pirate Party Melamine Set.

This design is more boy-friendly then some of their previous offerings, as little pirates climb trees and build dens and treehouses out of sight of interfering adults. The illustration ticks all the right boxes too; cute without being sentimental and stylish whilst still capturing the fun of being a kid.

The set consists of cup, bowl, plate and cutlery and costs £18 from the Belle & Boo site here.

 

Designer originals now available from William Vintage

Posted: 26 Jul 2011 11:34 AM PDT

Williamvintage

We all might have our fantasies of finding that rare 60s designer gem in the back rails of a village charity shop, but rarely does such luck come through. For truly well preserved rareities, it's vintage resellers that we have to call upon. William Vintage, now available at Browns, bring some of the more decadent and unusual pieces, with prices that reflect their one off status.

Featuring pieces from the highest end designers like Dior and Pierre Cardin, the stock features original sixties pieces in the sort of truly impeccable condition that can command the often four-figure price tags. Not for the casual vintage lover, these are more pieces of fashion history than Friday night fodder.

Find out more from the Browns website

Faux Fur Collar Coat from Oasis

Posted: 26 Jul 2011 11:28 AM PDT

Peggycoat

While we're all still trying to make the most of the occasional glimpses of Summer time, fashion's mainstream is wasting no time in looking forward. As ever, the beginnings of the new season are available early, with Autumnal pieces like this Peggy Faux Fur Collar Coat from Oasis offering a glimpse great of things to come.

The pale camel wool helps to create a heritage feel to the main piece, with double breasted fastening and militaristic shoulders lending a cool mid-sixties feel. The retro look is given some extra oomph by the faux fur collar, allowing for that trashy glam of stars like Edie Sedgwick to come through.

It's available from Oasis for £100.

Find out more from the website

1980s Adidas Colorado Windbreaker reissue

Posted: 26 Jul 2011 09:39 AM PDT

Col

Out of the (early) 1980s and back on the shelves, that's the Adidas Colorado Windbreaker.

It's out once more in a new colour, blue for the coming autumnal weather (or summer showers for that matter), with detailing including a contrast front zip, a mesh-lined hood, two side pockets with mesh lining, 3-Stripes down the arms, and a printed Trefoil on the left chest.

Grab it directly from Adidas, £50 gets you one.

Find out more at the Adidas Store website

eBay watch: 1970s chrome and black desk lamp

Posted: 26 Jul 2011 08:52 AM PDT

Stil

Love this design, although the 1970s chrome and black desk lamp doesn't come with a maker's name sadly.

According to the seller, the lamp was probably made in Italy, that mix of black and chrome, with a modernist feel and directional light for reading or working.

That same seller says the lamp is in 'very, very good above-average condition' with 'only marginal signs of age'. Good price right now too, just £1.

Find out more at the eBay website

Dolce & Gabanna Lace and Satin Bustier Dress

Posted: 26 Jul 2011 06:09 AM PDT

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No-one does a full-on sexpot wiggle dress like Dolce & Gabbana and this Lace and Satin Bustier Dress is the full bombshell ticket.

Made of silhouette-sculpting black stretch-twill, the dress has sleek satin panels and delicate sheer lace detailing. Soft underwired cups and adjustable straps help to ensure a perfect fit as do the concealed hook fastenings all the way down the front.

The dress isn't cheap at £795 but it is a classic and if you're going to do underwear-as-outerwear then this sort of quality helps to ensure you look elegant rather than underdressed.

It's available from net-a-porter.com here.

Grand Bain French beach towel set

Posted: 26 Jul 2011 03:13 AM PDT

Grand bain
If you wanted to echo the glamour of F. Scott or Zelda Fitzgerald and escape to the French Riveria, surely this Grand Bain French beach towel set would need to make it into your suitcase?

The terry towel captures some of the style of that period of holidaying and is decorated with a Deco-style woman plunging into a pool of water. The towel comes in its own carry bag, so even if you're only heading down to your local swimming pool the glamour can come with you. 

The towel set costs £35.

Buy it from Couverture and the Garbstore

Icon blackboards from Ghost Furniture

Posted: 26 Jul 2011 02:52 AM PDT

Twiggy_blackboard_X
We've previously featured the vintage blackboards of Ghost Furniture. They've given a twist to their designs with this new range of Icon blackboards.

The blackboards are each decorated with the silhouette of an iconic star. So you've got Twiggy sat in the corner of the frame that's pictured above, or you could pick Marilyn with skirt blowing up taken from The Seven Year Itch. Other designs feature Madonna, Audrey Hepburn and Coco Chanel, surely meaning there is one for any preference of style. 

Each blackboard is a unique piece, so prices vary. As an indication the Twiggy blackboard is being sold for £125. 

See them online

Modernist Greeting Cards

Posted: 26 Jul 2011 01:51 AM PDT

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Francesca Iannaccone makes kitsch wooden books under the name Mrs Eliot Books, but it was her Modernist Greeting Cards that particularly caught my attention.

Sold as a pack of four, each card features an illustration of a midcentury sideboard (possibly something by G Plan) with a collection of ceramics and ornaments on top of it. Each card has a different sideboard and the objects vary, but looks to include Cathrineholm ceramics and Holmegaard or Whtefriars glassware. Perfect for welcoming a design conscious friend to their new home.

The cards cost £4.75 per pack from the Mrs Eliot Books store on Etsy.

Kiss Me Quick Wallpaper

Posted: 26 Jul 2011 01:28 AM PDT

Kissmequickwallpaper
The Kiss Me Quick Wallpaper from Albany's Love Your Walls collection is channels the 1950s seaside postcard vibe.

It features pictures of buxom bathing belles, seagulls, helter skelters and vintage cars, along with the words "Oh I do like to be beside the seaside" written in the style of lettering found on carousels. The wallpaper is black and white with metallic silver accents.

It costs £18.99 per roll from Wallpaper Direct.

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