October 12th, 2011
A Modern Take on the Turn of the Century
I just finished watching the first seasons of Boardwalk Empire & Carnivale, and while they don’t have the fashion or decor I love from the 1950’s – 1970’s, I’m fascinated by the 1920’s – 1940’s. From the excess of the 1920s to prohibition and the dust bowl, there’s a minimalist magic about America in those years that’s enchanting.
I found these photos while catching up on reading fashion blog, and I was surprised that they’re from Ralph Lauren’s RRL line. The photography for the brand has been based around 1920’s inspired mug shots, and they’re perfectly convincing, down to the imperfections and lighting. I especially love the slight differences between the model’s poses in the photos.
Do you have a favourite era when it comes to fashion & design?
I’m really drawn to the history of the 20’s – 40’s because so much happened in such a short time,
but I love the 50’s and 60’s best for the interior design, colours & patterns
Oh, my gosh! Those photos are STUNNING. I love that a brand is using inspiration from another era like that. Love, love, love.
I’d say my favorite era would have to be the 40s. Mostly because I think I should have been born in a decade where women would dress up to go to the grocery store and had closets filled with hat boxes. Heehee. I love looking at photos of my grandparents and just swoon over the adorable dresses and accessories. If only they had kept some of their clothes!
These are super cool! I think for pictures and such I love pre-war 1930s and 1940s. My grandparents were in the prime of their lives then and their outfits and appearance was just to die for.
I’d have to say the 20s-50s. I realize that’s a huge chunk of fashion-time, but I love it ALL.
The 20s-30s have always been my favorite era. (With ancient Greece coming in a close second)… Which is probably why I also love Boardwalk Empire and Carnivale (I’ve yet to see season 2 of this one!).
I definitely love the 20s, but I think it would be awesome to live in history, no matter the time. I mean, imagine living in the Egypt during the time of Cleopatra. …could be fun. :)
For design, the 50s are probably my favorite, but historically (in the US and Europe) I am endlessly fascinated by the 60s.
Love those pictures, thanks for showing them. And I have to check out those shows. We don’t have them in Germany yet…
Oh, these are very cool!
I totally agree – I love the prohibition era because of what happened, but I’m inspired more by the 50s and 60s for retro style. Brain twins!
I love the photos! My favorites are probably the 1950’s-1970’S and the 1990’s. :)
My favorite classic movie is Margie. I believe it is set in the 20s or 30s. That is the era that I like. My husband and I loved Carnivale.
Kyla, we’re twins, I swear! I too love the history and innovation of the 20s-30s, but believe the fashion and design of the 40s-50s is to die for!
These photos are stunning! I would love to recreate them – do you think this was a lot of photoshop work, TTV-type photography or a mixture of both?
Gah, this is amazing. I remember when Carnivale first came out I was obsessed. I was pretty young, so I didn’t completely understand it. I should check them out again, but it sucks the show was cancelled. I love the Dust Bowl era, and I agree, it’s fascinating to see so many things happen in such a short time.
I love the 50’s and 60’s, I would of loved to have dressed like a greaser and went into a diner. It looked like so much fun!
I love both those shows too. I’m not quite into season 2 of Boardwalk Empire yet. Margaret is one of my favourite characters, and I’m dieing for her to make a power move in the show. Like stop living under Nucky’s wing-perhaps hook up with that cute Irish boy they’ve introduced? ;) I really like the war vet and want to see more story lines about him. The show definitely shows that even though women were gaining a bit more authority in their homes and society-that they were still incredibly oppressed.
Eeee, such a clever marketing idea! I love past eras. 20s, 30s, 40s… You get the idea. I love the fashion, and the make-up; the houses and the housewares, the pictures themselves and oh, the music, of course. Etc., etc. <3