It's the start of another week and to inspire you here is some more fashion from Paris set to the theme of the famous jet set Riviera TV-series The Persuaders starring Roger More and Tony Curtis. The theme was originally composed by John Barry but this is the moog version from the 1974 album The Many Moogs of Killer Watts. What do you daydream about today? (Via)
Although based in London, pianist and composer Ian Williams and singer Claudia Barton outputs music that instantly transports you to a smoky, noir jazz club in 1960's Paris. One of those clubs with a sole spotlight focusing on the elegant and voluptuous female singer. Gamine's music is not something you would listen to on a sunny and warm day - if you would, everything that is Gamine would be out of context.
The music rather craves for a moody, rainy day with a cocktail or two, starch contrasts and film noir shadows to be fully appreciated. Ian's floating dramatic piano chords and arpeggios with Claudia's incredibly sensual voice makes even the most hard heartened and unromantic person to melt into a mixed puddle of french perfume and wine. I feel like I am in a movie where I have just met the femme fatale.
I am in love.
Yet again the fabulous collaboration with British lifestyle magazine Chic Today continues. Yesterday the third article from me was published in their magazine. It is called Rendezvous in Paris and highlights two chic and design worthy hotels in Paris. I suggest that you head on over to the Chic Today website straight away and read on (links attached at the bottom). The magazine is free and features over 70 pages of interesting articles about fashion, design and lifestyle elements. Comments are as always much appreciated.
Chic Today Issue 20 - Lost in Translation (Online version)
Chic Today Issue 20 - Lost in Translation (PDF version)
Three postcards depicting the chic and fabulous (or maybe not) Paris red-light district nightlife of the 1960s. Famous cabaret Moulin Rouge (the red windmill) can been spotted on one of them. For more lovely and kitschy postcards and photos head over to Popcards.
Ultra Swank takes you back in time into the kitsch, chic and swank living of the 50s to the 70s. We mainly focus on the design, architecture and the lifestyle of the happy-go-lucky and space-age-living mentality from that era - but also on the mood music that takes you back to happier times. Ultra Swank is run by Chris who resides in Sweden. More | Contact
Good news! The author of the home movie shot at Disneyland in 1956 decided to post some more retro video goodness for all of us! In this clip we see glimpses from Adventureland, which is a cowboy and Indians themed area of the park. I believe it has changed a lot of the years though. [...]
This Les Baxter piece was released circa 1966-1967 around the same time as the press book for the movie “The Sand Pebbles” was published. Although it isn’t a official song from the soundtrack (which Jerry Goldsmith produced), it was released as a promo 45 RPM vinyl by Crescendo (GNP Crescendo 382) with Balan Samba (Bandeira) [...]
Share your retro images in the Ultra Swank Pool at Flickr!
Interested in contributing to Ultra Swank? Do you have a story you want to share? Submit it and get a chance for it to be read by lots of swell retro fans from all over the world!
Receive Ultra Swank updates to your mailbox. It's quick and easy!
Ultra Swank is your blast from the past that takes you back to a more civilized and elegant era with lush cocktail parties, retro design, tasteful architecture and dreamy mood music.
About | Contribute | Contact | Advertise
Copyright © 2005-2010, Some rights reserved. Ultra Swank is presented under a Creative Commons noncommercial-share alike licence.
