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 particularly like the Patchwork dresses I’ve been seeing.. they remind me of collage and layering in art forms. It is something tricky to achieve in both fashion and art. What clashes… and what is harmonious together?

I think the use of black and white makes it much easier to pattern clash. It is something I should try as I usually use a lot of color.

Preen Patchwork Dress

raoul patchwork dress

Below is one of my newer more “earthy” patchwork pieces. For now it is only available in my Etsy store (click on the image to visit my store!) as I have too many industrious activities going on and keeping up with them is exhausting (my life functions as a patchwork as well!) I think it is most beautiful as a canvas.
But please take your time to peruse my website, where I have many images not on etsy:
http://shop/trolleyla.com

JuliE Christie

And as Autumn is near, of course I think of Paris, and this seems to represent a piece of a patchwork memory of Paris… It is time to go again. YAY!

Paris

All the pastel dyed jeans this season are affecting my color preferences. I quite like them… but what to wear with them? Batik-dyed skinny jeans also sound fab. For sure, the big platform wood shoes are a must for either!

I did buy this eyelet top from Banana Republic, I think it could work…

In any and ALL cases, though, the pastel clothing extravaganza will certainly work in the colorful city of Positano Italy, where I want to be wearing them SOON!

The Rolling Stones are celebrating their 50 years in show business, as I recently read in the Wall Street Journal. It was interesting to be reminded that the Stones’ early style was very natural, as in, one could almost say JCrew-ish? I have to say that I prefer Mr. Jaggar in those clothes in that era. A most beautiful English lad! Here is what phtographer Gered Mankovitz said about their dtyle in the early days:

“In late 1965, when I first shot them, it was against the band ethos to dress up too much,” said rock photographer Gered Mankowitz, who toured with the band that year, and shot Stones album covers such as 1965′s “Out of Our Heads” and ’67′s “Between the Buttons.” “There wasn’t a lot of difference between their off- and onstage style, really. The look was natural, real—not flashy. Part of their visual strength was their individuality. And each had their own look.”

Mick Jaggar circa 1965 - very JCrew

A Darling English Lad

In their "Classic Dressing" stage

Although I also must say I love their jumpsuit and cape wearing in the years that were to follow, I think their classic look fit their youth well.

Click to view more fabulous Rolling Stones looks! May they Rock and Roll forever!!!

It’s been a long time between blog posts for me. I’ve had a bit of computer burn-out.  Time always runs short, and I need to replenish  by thinking and making things.  Sometimes making things that have no use at all. There is a beauty in that, like the beauty of Bjork. I am so thrilled and grateful each and everytime I sell something, but getting it out there in cyberland takes many hours sitting in front of the computer.  In fact, right now, instead of working, I read this fascinating article on what inspires Bjork; everything from music to the rain forests. I think it is well worth the time to find out about what inspires Bjork, because she is a true original creative force.  I don’t always love all of her music, but I always love her and her strange beauty. She inspires me!

Bjork from her latest album, "Biophilia"

Click on this image to read and listen to some of the many things that inspire Bjork from this fabulous article on the guardian.uk website, written by Rebecca Nicholson.

Photo of Bjork on the Guardian UK article

You can also find images of her best fashion choices! Of course, the famous “Swan Dress” is there!

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!

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!

I’m very excited for my upcoming trip to Marbella, Spain, and Paris.  While I am there, I will undoubtedly take lots of pictures, see lots of art (there is a Basquiat and Monet special exhibition, as well as “Les Femmes” at the Pompidou) and bring home lots of new inspiration  for new work. I’m just a travel junkie who gets VERY depressed whilst watching “Househunters International.” I thrive on being visually over stimulated.

Marbella, Costa del Sol, Spain

Here is one of my shots of Paris available for sale in my etsy store. Buy it for a holiday gift for all those people you know who love Paris!

"Paris" by trolleyla

Of course, being the retro loving gal that I am, I picture myself looking like this as I traipse through “les attactions touristiques.”

Audrey Hepburn and Fred Astaire on the Eiffel Tower

I wish you could still smoke, so you could look like this in Paris

The perfect dinner hat for Paris

Needless to say, packing is very difficult. Lots of black. I think I should bring this, but if I decide not to, look for it in my etsy store “Trolleyla Vintage” on November 1st!

Vintage 1960s beaded top at Trolleyla Vintage on etsy