I’ve always been a Led Zeppelin fan, they were something special, unique and never heard before … and never to be heard again.  So thanks to YouTube, I’ve been watching all these old Zeppelin concerts, and I’ve grown to appreciate their unique genius in a new and more mature way.  Of course, my retro love of the early 1970′s keeps me entralled, but especially the most absolutely gorgeous, sexy, blond God that was Young Robert Plant.

I still love Robert Plant, but I never really appreciated him fully until now. Of course, Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones and John Bonham match him in genius, yet I think it’s his bare chest and curly locks that do it.  Not to mention they are the greatest Rock and Roll band ever!  Long live the Queen; the Brits surely have brought us much musical joy (influenced by solid American roots!

Oh My

Robert

The one and only

Watch Led Zeppelin in their prime!

Check out my etsy store here for a couple of 1970s inspired prints.

1970s Love

70s Hair Love

I read an excerpt of this book, “A Furious Love” by Sam Kashner, Nancy Schoenberger in Vanity Fair. I was so fascinated by the “Marriage of the Century” that I had to go and get the book! It was a fascinating read, and perhaps it romanticized their love, but Richard Burton was quite the romantic and wrote all kinds of sweet love notes and letters to Elizabeth. What woman doesn’t like that?  They HATED to be called “Liz and Dick”…. they were Elizabeth and Richard. By many, many personal accounts, they were BOTH more beautiful in person than on film. Elizabeth’s loveliness lasted well into her prime and people were shock by her beauty in person.  Richard, on the otherhand, was quite the hunk… every woman was attracted to him and his beautiful voice.  I just love to read about their time and the era they lived in, and reflect about how it has passed, never to return.  I miss old Hollywood glamour!

Tragic and sad story all around, though.

It inspired me to make a “Elizabeth” pop art influenced canvas of the infamous Hollywood icon for my store. If you like it, go check it out by clicking on the photos!

A Furious Love - Book Cover

Wearing the diamond Richard gave her

Eliabeth Taylor Canvas - Hanging

Today I came across two different items related to the iconic Gustav Klimt.  Having been to Vienna, which I love (where I swear his spirit lives on!) one is often caught by surprise when suddenly, looming around any corner, is an Art Deco architectural wonder. Of course it is a modern, bustling city, but it literally sings with music and art. I can’t help but love Klimt; of course I love his lyrical line and sense of the decorative, and gold leaf is always special to me (anything that is glittery works for me!)  But also, he was a true lover of women and their sensuality, and he always messed and annoyed  the establishment of his day, a character trait I admire. No shrinking violet was Gustav!  And he produced some seriously beautiful art.

There is a review in The Wall Street Journal “Forever Between Two Worlds” for an exhibition at the Neue Gallery in New York, in honor of the 150th aniversary of his birth.  And at the Getty Museum here in Los Angeles, we have “Gustav Klimt: The Magic of Line” which will showcase his drawings. An excerpt:

Discover the beautiful and evocative drawings of Gustav Klimt in this major retrospective, which explores the stylistic evolution of his drawings as well as their centrality to his work. Klimt’s drawings are characterized by an unsurpassed mastery of line, from his earliest days as a student to his maturity as an avant-garde master.

I am lucky enough to be able to see both, as I will soon be in New York (YAY!!) so I will get to absorb some Gustav magic.

Adele Bloch-Bauer, 1907 (Klimt's possible lover!)

Gustave Klimt drawing "Fishblood"

Preparatory drawing for "The Kiss"

Here is a Photo illustration collage I did that includes an image on Klimts very famous “The Kiss”. I no longer sell this image, but maybe I should revisit it! I love being inspired from other artist’s and incorporating them in my work.

Klimt-Collage

Visit my website or etsy store to see what I am up to now!

Quoted from Wikipedia’s entry on Coco Chanel:

In 1926 Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel published a picture of a short, simple black dress in American Vogue. It was calf-length, straight, and decorated only by a few diagonal lines. Vogue called it “Chanel’s Ford.” Like the Model T, the little black dress was simple and accessible for women of all social classes. Vogue also said that the LBD would become “a sort of uniform for all women of taste.”

Classic Coco, the creator of it all

In homage to the classic and iconic dress (like it’s creator!) I recently added a canvas art print of my own rendition of “Little Black Dresses.” You can buy it in my etsy shop now (I will soon be adding it to my website.) It is a lovely 8 X 10 X .75″ canvas print, ready to hang on the wall or place anywhere you want color (and black!) Of course, it is based on older fashion image and all gussied up.  Click on the image to see more views.

"Little Black Dress" print on canvas, by trolleyla

Here are more images, just food for thought on the classic and immortal “Little Black Dress.” I actually own the last image, the book based entirely on the theme. Available on Amazon.com, of course!

"Little Black Dress" to infinity and beyond

Little Black Dress ca. 1964

"The Litle Black Dress" available on Amazoncom

Lately I’ve been worried about me and my shoes. I find myself coveting the towering platforms of summer, with thick leather straps and twine-roped wedges, or searching on the internet for the perfect tricolor blocked chunky sandal combination. I search for sales and online coupons, finding facsimiles for the Christian Louboutins or Marc Jacob’s that I want but won’t (read “can’t) buy. This month on the cover of Lucky magazine I found the perfect retro 70′s Christian Louboutin wood platforms on Lauren Conrad, but they were over $1000 dollars! I don’t think it is possible for me to spend $1000 dollars on a pair of shoes, even if money was no object. I’m just not made from that kind of stuff. But I wonder, why am I lusting after these shoes that will spend mere seconds this summer out of their box and out of the closet? As much as I truly and deeply love these “objets d’art”, everyday when I pull out a cute vintage top to mix with a current favorite pair of jeans, I find myself picking only the widest, roundest, rubber soled comfy scuffed up sensible flats to wear. Even mid heeled, feminine sandals are rejected at the last minute. Comfort reigns supreme! And yet, I lust still.

"Vivaeva" Platforms, Christian Louboutin

Shoes on the Runway...

Gloriously impracticle shoes (wear them once, and everyone has seen them!)

Here’s a great example of the shoes I really end up wearing. I found these incredible 1970′s leather dance shoes (made in Los Angeles!) while thrifting, and I have reluctantly added them to my etsy store. I really am hoping they don’t sell Very comfy and oh so practical!

1970s "Coast Shoes" Vintage leather dance flats

I don’t really know what is quite so appealing to me about retro culture, but I can safely say that Twiggy is one of the best reasons I can name. Perhaps it is the fleeting sense of time, place, and youth that retro culture reminds us of. Perhaps it is the “otherness” from the style of today. Yes, we imitate and mine the past for inspiration, but it was REAL then… not just a source of inspiration. Or, perhaps I love the feeling of nostalgia!

I found this 70′s dress that reminds me of something Twiggy would wear, but not in an obvious way. She was so thin and androngynous that she really rocked feminine and boyish styles. You can purchase it here, in my etsy store…
….and enjoy these images of Twiggy!

My cute little illustration “The Wedding” on a 4 X 4″ birch box is featured in a fantastic website called “Style at Home.” There are so many easy and affordable stylish ideas in this site, it will make you want to drop everything and go redecorate (because everything else will seem so foolish when you realize how much sprucing up there is to be done…damn that horribly boring  “to-do”  list!

Click on the image to go to the site!

We continue to have glorious weather here in Los Angeles, so I thought I would post another art piece that I just added to my trolleyla etsy store.

This one is kind of pastel piece…I can’t seem to stay away from color for too long. I have definitely a surfer-beach theme going that feels good and I want to spend time on. I’m feeling a retro nostalgia for all things “Gidget.” Or maybe it’s “Moondoggie.” (Was that his name? What does that mean, anyway?) And I can’t surf. And the sun is bad for you!

Paddle Surfer, Malibu California , January 2011

I love Chole Sevigny. She certainly is a style risk taker; she’s not afraid to play with fashion, and she loves vintage and vintage style. I even love her character’s style on the HBO series “Big Love.”

Chloe in glasses

I have a new vintage 1970′s dress in my vintage store that reminds me of her. when you think of the 70′s you think “disco,” but there was also a lady-like, demure look that was a little quiet and kind of demure. I love this dress! Click here to see it in my store.

"Chloe Sevigny Dress" in Trolleyla Vintage on etsy

Chloe Sevigny 2008

Chloe in vintage

Sometimes, with great sadness, I think of wonderful items I gave away with ruthlessness, trying not to be attached to possessions (and leave more room in my closet.) But I have decided to find more room elsewhere, because I hate finding things in thrifts that are similar to the things I have given away!

The Wall Street Journal featured a fun article yesterday stating that Pantone has announced that the color of the year is an intense pink it calls “honeysuckle.” The journal writes “It’s very ‘Mad Men’ pink…there’s a retro aspect that’s going to be very popular.” Jonathan Adler, the uber-important interior designer says “There is an innate optimism to pink…in fact, I’m wearing a hot pink shirt right now.”  Hmmmmm…

Read the entire article here, and learn more about the history of Pantone.

I say that’s just fine by me, as Pink (or Honeysuckle, or whatever) is always the magic number!

Nanette Lepore dress, spring 2011

Nanette Lepore dress, spring 2011

Jonathan Adler Pillow

Pantone Chart, circa 1960s

Mark Rothko Painting

I’m way ahead of Pantone’s game. Here are some of my “Hottest Color of 2011″ interpretations available in my trolleyla etsy store and my trolleyla vintage store, right now!

"The Blond" by trolleyla

"Luxembourg Garden" by trolleyla

"mod Mod" by trolleyla

1970s Hot Pink Velveteen Skirt