Posts Tagged ‘forties’

The cars, the snow, her hair, her pearls, her reindeer sweater, I love this.

Via Chronically Vintage

Jo Hedwig Teeuwisse is a historical consultant living in Amsterdam, and she’s what us swing dancers call a “lifestyler.” She lives and breathes the 1930s and 40s everyday, dressing in authentic clothing, living in an historically decorated home, the whole shebang!

Photos from her Flickr Stream, via Lark About

Such a classic swing girl look from the early 1940s. I wear this combination all the time – striped top, high waisted skirt. I have a pair of dance shoes with a similar look:

They’re from Remix and my lovely boyfriend bought them for me!

A lovely shot of a bystander at the Summer Jamboree Festival in Senigallia, Italy. It’s one of the biggest rock and roll and retro-themed festivals in Europe, and it’s based in a gorgeous Italian seaside town, on the Adriatic coast. I was there a few years ago as a swing dance instructor for the dance camp that is part of the festival, and I’d love to go again just for fun.

The tiny town was packed with retro enthusiasts from across Europe and the globe, many of whom drove their retro cars, motorcycles and scooters into town. There was an enormous vintage market that just about destroyed my bank balance, and everyone was dressed vintage style head to toe (mostly 1950s), every moment of the day. Dita Von Teese was there that year, and I had the pleasure of meeting her backstage (she’s really tiny) and seeing her live show, as well as watching the myriad of rock and roll music legends that the festival brings in (Jerry Lee Lewis was there that year).

Recommended if you’re a fan of 1940s/50′s and rock ‘n roll. The dance camp teaches Lindy Hop, but it’s not really a swing event overall – more rock ‘n roll, rockabilly and boogie woogie. Anyway, everywhere you turned was a glamorous sight like the lady above. Drop me a line if you know who she is…