Here’s something for the bachelor (or bachelorette) pad that has everything. Michael Gillette is the creative genius behind these unique covers of Penguin’s Ian Fleming James Bond novels that have instantly became iconic classics with every retro lover.
Much requested, they are now available as limited edition, signed and numbered prints in conjunction with Ian Fleming Publications Ltd. Printed to the highest standards by the Electric Works Gallery in San Francisco, they are exclusively available from their webstore.
The smaller prints (paper size 9″x 13⅜”) retail at $95 plus shipping and handling. Signed and numbered in an edition of 700. Sets of all 15 titles ($1200 plus s&h).
By Chris
February 4th, 2012
Sometimes, the city in which a movie is set plays a role more important than that of the main characters and, over the years, New York and Paris and London have provided lively settings for many popular films. But what of Berlin? With its combination of old world glitzy decadence and the stark deprivation of modernity, Berlin captured the imagination of many filmmakers throughout the last century.
By Oline Eaton
February 2nd, 2012
Ultra Swank – Your one stop blog for retro living, style and design
Ultra Swank takes you back in time into the kitsch, chic and swank living of the 50s, 60s and the 70s. We mainly focus on the design, architecture and the lifestyle of the happy-go-lucky and space-age-living mentality of that era – but also on the music and movies that takes you back to happier times. Ultra Swank is run by Chris, a Swede born in the wrong decade that currently resides in Barcelona. Read more
Subscribe and follow Ultra Swank
Come fly with me… to fabulous and fantastic Las Vegas! Established in 1905, it was nowhere near the oasis of fun, sin and lost weekends as it is known for today. But when major developments and projectes surfaced in the 1940s, the city starting growing larger and larger. Shady organized crime personalties saw opportunities to be made in this new desert haven. Big hotel casinos started sprouting up and many of the largest ones were in fact managed by the mob. I guess you have all heard about Benjamin “Bugsy” Siegel.
The most famous part of Las Vegas is the strip – a 4-mile boulevard sized stretch of road that houses some of the biggest hotels and casinos in the U.S. Huge casinos such as The Golden Nugget and Fremont are considered landmarks today. Any fancy a game of Blackjack or trying your luck on the numerous slot machines? For more information, visit gamblingplanet.
The first, but perhaps little known casino of Las Vegas was the El Rancho Vegas, built in 1941 but sadly destroyed in a fire in 1960. However, its success pawed way for many other similar ventures such as the Last Frontier and the spectacular Flamingo. But this was just the beginning.
By Chris
January 24th, 2012
Shopping is one of Europe’s first interior shopping centers ever built. This mid-century gem is hidden away in the cold northern parts of Sweden. It was designed by famous British-Swedish architect Ralph Erskine and built in 1955. Erskine wanted to create something that would be enjoyable for everyone all year round, not being dependent on the current (and sometimes harsh) weather conditions.
The shopping centre was to become a natural meeting point for everyone in the city and to offer both entertainment, dining and plenty of merchandise and goods for all the family. It was nick named “a city within the city”. The unique floor plan of the shopping center features multiple levels that are offset to each other by half a level and all connected by numerous staircases and escalators – creating a maze that can be a bit confusing to navigate for first comers. The huge concrete pillars and walkways supporting the construction makes it a look a bit cold but at the same time very clean and easy on the eyes. This type of design was very popular throughout the 1950s, ’60s and ’70s – especially in northern Europe.
By Chris
January 16th, 2012
From WhatsBuzzin.com, comes a handful of original, well designed retro Holiday Cards that trend with the popularity of 1950s and 1960s themes as seen in the television shows “Mad Men“, “Pan Am” and 2011 film “The Help“. Featuring fun, nostalgic images of 1950′s and ’60′s Retro American Christmas.
Set up the aluminum tree, plug in the color wheel, and put Bing on the on the hi fi – now you’re ready to write out and send your fabulous retro Christmas cards. The cards are designed, illustrated and printed in the USA by WhatsBuzzin.com, a small business located in Clearwater, Florida. Specializing in retro styled Christmas cards with light-hearted messages and sometimes kitschy, but always cool, visuals of vintage ornaments and bubble lights, retro toys, model trains, and other classic Christmas memorabilia that take their cues from the colorful vintage vibes of the 1950s and 1960s.
A set of 8 cards and envelopes retails for $12.00
By Chris
December 22nd, 2011
Sometimes, the city in which a movie is set plays a role more important than that of the main characters and, over the years, many filmmakers have been drawn to the old school majesty of London. Here are a few films where London—a city of striking contrasts— makes an appearance.
By Oline Eaton
December 14th, 2011
Seattle’s CityStream goes back to the future in preparation for the 50th anniversary of the Seattle World`s Fair. Century 21 was the 1962 Fair’s theme and now that we’ve arrived, it’s time to look towards what the next fifty years will bring. (Thanks Björn)
By Chris
December 13th, 2011
