Double Elegance!

Let me introduce you to the icons of San Francisco, the Brown Twins. Marian and Vivian Brown (born January, 1927) are identical twins known for their signature identical stylish outfits and hats atop their meticulously coiffed hair.

The Browns pretty much have a cult-like following in San Francisco. Someone is always taking their picture. They've often been in the media, including television ads. I've even seen them on greeting cards.

I've had the rare opportunity to pass them by while shopping downtown. What an elegant pair. They walk alike, talk alike, and always have a smile on their face. They remind me of "old San Francisco." Going "downtown" in your classiest attire. Hats, gloves and all.

This pair came to San Francisco from Milwaukee in 1970, and remind me of what the City (all cities) used to be like. Elegance and class. Heavens no, they wouldn't step out the house without lipstick!


The Browns used to drive twin Oldsmobiles; white with black dashboards. They drove them off the parking lot at the dealership at the same time.

The twins reside in the Nob Hill neighborhood of San Francisco. Just before 6 p.m. every Monday, Vivian and Marian Brown walk arm-in-arm up Powell Street to Uncle Vito's restaurant. Once there, they wait in chairs side by side for table No. 2, where they split a small pizza with everything on it and a slice of carrot cake. Each gets her own glass of Merlot. Isn't that the cutest?

So if you happen to be doing some holiday shopping in downtown San Francisco this holiday season, keep your eyes open for the Brown sisters. They are absolutely delightful and we're so lucky to have them as part of our eccentric city!

Oh, and here is a cute interview that the Brown sisters gave last year.

images; BeBe LeStrange, Sparkletack, JPG Magazine, Wikiepedia, Susan Ragan

Groovy Stewardesses!

Just stumbled upon this fab image via Pinterest. These colorful uniforms were designed by Emilio Pucci for Braniff International Airways in the 1960's. The uniforms had loud designs and were made into many parts so the stewardesses could mix and match according to their own style.

Check out some more Pucci for Braniff here. Fabulous!

Tricks & Treats

To celebrate spooky Halloween week, I thought I'd post these haunting photos from the October issue of Harper’s Bazaar. They feature characters from filmmaker Tim Burton's past movies; The Night Before Christmas, Edward Scissorhands & Beetlejuice -- the models bedecked in designer clothing and accessories.

The spread is called, "Magical Fashion" and the photos were shot by the talented Tim Walker.

The spread is in anticipation of Tim Burton's career retrospective at New York's Museum of Modern Art from November 22, 2009–April 26, 2010.



To see all of the photos, visit Harper's Bazaar. And, thanks Lisa Golightly for turning me on to this eerie and fabulous spread!

photos from Harper's Bazaar

Eugenio Recuenco

Awhile back I did a post about fashion photographer, Tim Walker. Thanks to a fellow blogger who pointed out that I inadvertently included some photos by Eugenio Recuenco. Oops.

Recuenco is famous photographer from Madrid, Spain. His works includes film, advertising, and print media. In Spain he shoots exclusively for Vogue. His amazing work captures your imagination and every single picture tells a story.

Recuenco's personal style is known to be called ”cinematographic” and “pictorial"

These photos above could be right out of the 1920's. He captures the Art Deco era beautifully.

Note the photo on the left imitating Tamara de Limpicka's famous painting, Girl in a Green Dress. What brilliant work.

Eugenio Recuenco's work is decadent, don't you agree? You can check out his extensive portfolio here.

photos from eugeniorecuenco.com

Bygone Fashion Photography: Tom Palumbo

I'm captivated by the beautiful photography of Tom Palumbo. Born in Italy in 1921, Palumbo was highly recognized for his photography for Vogue & Harper's Bazaar in the 1950's and 60's.

Tom Palumbo in the early years...

I love his black and white photography...Evening Gowns, Bazaar

One of my favorite photos of the great model, Anne St. Marie in San Francisco, 1964 (Palumbo was married to Anne St. Marie at the time the shots were taken)

An outtake for Bazaar, mid 1950's. "Velvet jacket. Velvet shoes."

Bazaar outtake, July 1958. Great colors...

Harper's Bazaar, 1956/57. "Perfect for Sailing"

Outtake for Vogue...fabulous!

Outtake for Sak's Fifth Avenue...

The Lady and her Butlers...

Outtake for Bazaar...

Anne St. Marie, outtake for Vogue, circa 1960

Palumbo died in 2008. Prior to that he set up his own Flickr gallery. In over 100 fashion photographs, you can peruse outtakes from professional magazine assignments. They are all organized in separate galleries. Extraordinary! He even gives descriptions of the photos, and includes his early and later work. You can view them here. Someone needs to publish a book on this man's work!

Photos from here