Don't know who i am referring to? Well you might know her better under her nickname "Twiggy" (from twig – tree). Twiggy was born September 19, 1949 in Neasden, London. She became famous in the swingin' 60s as a model icon and revolutionized the fashion world with her slim and boyish figure, short hair and big eyes that set trends all over the world. From then on every girl and young woman wanted to look like Twiggy. Now for her 60th birthday, the National Portrait Gallery in London is showing a exhibition in her name and launching a new photographic biography book of her life. The event Twiggy: A Life in Photographs will be on display from September 19th, 2009 until March 21st, 2010. You could also easily run in to her at the book -signing event today Friday 18th September between 1pm and 2pm. Happy Birthday Twiggy!
The Post Office Tower (later British Telecom Tower) was built in the early 1960s on commission by the General Post Office to be used to carry groovy signals across London. It raises almost 180 meters over the ground and once had both a observation deck, cocktail bar and a restaurant at the top. Sadly, the observation deck was closed down in 1971 after a bomb exploded in the mens toilet and the restaurant was closed in 1980 leaving London without any revolving restaurant that can be found in most big cities around Europe. If you want to view London from above today, the London Eye offers a spectacular view. The embedded movie below was made around the opening of the tower and takes you on a kitsch and interesting tour around it.
One of my all time favorite John Barry scores is the one from British movie Follow Me! (also known as The Public Eye). Released in 1972 and set in London it portrays the story of a wealthy jealous banker hiring a eccentric and strange private detective played by Topol to follow his wife, played by Mia Farrow around London in a cat and mouse type of game. Not only does London play a big part in the movie, it is almost a character on its own and it is really thrilling to see it come alive in the early and some what gloomy 1970s post flower-power era. More info and a clip from the movie after the jump.
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For many of us the 1960s was the fashion decade of the 20th century. Especially if you lived in London at the time, which was known as "Swinging London" - a definition made in April 1966 by British magazine Time. Most of us can only daydream what it was like during that era from what we have seen or heard in magazines, music or movies such as Smashing Time, Blowup and The Knack which coincidentally features a very groovy and hip soundtrack by musical maestro John Barry. But don't despair, today Ultra Swank is taking you all back in time to London in the mid 1960s to relive the atmosphere and style of the fashion and music capital of western Europe. The clip is called 'In Gear' and is taken from the DVD Look At Life - Swinging London which can be obtained through Amazon among many other places.
Before Starbucks, Espresso House, Nero and other major coffeehouse chains invaded every city on the western hemisphere there were thousands of smaller coffee houses or coffee bars as they were referred to back then. London, England saw a major expansion of these quaint places in the early 1950s, right about the same time as the first Espresso machine was introduced there. The clip below is taken from the DVD Look At Life - Swinging London, which features sixteen kitschy and fascinating short films about London life in the 1950s and 1960s. Groovy!
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You've waited and wondered with starry eyes, will there be another Ultra Swank compilation? Of course and here it's the first one for 2008. As the title suggests we are moving away from lush cocktail parties, stewardesses and martinis for a while to go down one flight of stairs into the world of swingers, beatniks, hipsters and cool cats. Welcome to the Electric Psychedelic Swingers Pussycat Club downtown London, were we play psychedelic rock and pop from the late '60s and early '70s until the break of dawn.
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Alright so it has been a while. I've been busy with work related projects and what not - sadly, life is not only about glamorous parties, international flights, premieres and posh penthouse apartments. Fortunately the past is always the present here at Ultra Swank and you are always more than welcome to stay for the night and enjoy the company of our lovely flight attendants. Speaking of stewardesses, I had a great time in London last month with my friend. London is such a great place for culture, shopping and enjoying life. What is your favorite weekend destination?
Remember what it was like? When jet travel was luxurious and exciting. When you dressed up in your best suit or dress before boarding the plane. When working as a stewardess was almost the same as being a astronaut. For you who doesn't, let's go back in time to 1970. When the first trans Atlantic flight to London was made with the Boeing 747 by the great Pan AM airline. Ultra Swank will also be heading off to London with a lady friend for a couple of days on Thursday. We will sadly not be traveling in a 747, but as a globe trotter and man about town, I always keep up the style anywhere I go - and so should you.
