Audrey Hepburn (my all time style idol) used to relax under one in between scenes, have a cigarette and conduct business with her agents, right there, under the dryer -as mentioned by Mark Shaw, the man who shot this picture back in 1953. Till this very day, it looks so avant garde, don't you think?
There are many suggestions as to who invented it. For Europe, it is being said that Alexander F. Godefoy came up with it in his salon in France, as early as 1890. For North America, some say it was Madame C. J. Walker around the same time. Oh well, congrats to whoever did it. I owe them a lot!
Much later, in 1973, Judy Garland would enjoy the process way more comfortably, having lunch and milk at the same time (??). (picture found here).I have sat under one of those. I remember my grandma had taken me to an old hair salon when I was little and I was fascinated by them. Them, and the red plastic ear covers she had to wear so she could stand the hot air for longer. In the end, I managed to get the hairdresser to put me under one, and she had to sit me on 3 pillows to get me to the right height. I was good as gold for the rest of the visit even though I nearly burned my 4-year-old hair.
Ah now this, I seriously wish I had: a portable hairdryer. It came out in the '60s as did many other very stylish gadgets. Shame they are not around anymore. Imagine doing your nails and chatting to your girlfriends whilst your hair is being nicely dried on its own...
This one looks more stylish. General Electric PLEASE BRING THEM BACK!
But not these. God no. Looks like this woman is trying to pull out her own eyeball. What were people at Ronson thinking?
Something similar to what the designers of this one must have thought: hot air is torture to your hair anyway, let's have a laugh! It really is a blowdryer, came across it at etsy.com. The user that's put it up for sale shares some lovely memories "You should see the bizarre wedding pictures our photographer got, our litte jr bridesmaids getting ready, holding this to their heads... oh my!". Oh my.
Anyways, this is what I want to buy now: a vintage hairdryer like this one. Some guy says he bought this '50s model for 18 USD and works great (http://www.vacuumland.org/). I am so jealous. I want one. Seriously, it is such a relaxing experience. And would look fab in my livingroom, just like it did in that window. Should have asked where they got it from (sorry dear brand new ceramic straighteners of mine!).
Even if it doesn't work, I could always turn it into something like this:
A vintage-pop touch looks good in every modern space. At least it would look good in my space. I think.
Anyway. Next post will be about what I'm changing the year in. Even if that ends up being my very stylish.. pyjamas! Wish me luck...
Burberry recently added their new croc leather collection either as full leather version or as trim on the backbone of the bag. The cost? The brown leather alligator tote cost a mere £11,000 while the tote with alligator lookalike trim cost almost £1000. My similar find at Zara in brown leather mock croc tote cost less than £60, while the PU mock-alligator black tote is rather cheaper at less than 40 quid.
Whatever budget you may have, the choice is yours.
P/S: Would never killed any endangered species just for the sake of fashion.
One of the store that I visited yesterday is Bally. They are quite famous with the leather footwear and bags. Ever since I saw the much anticipated Fall/Winter 2008 collection, I've been dreaming of getting the Leron tote bag in the dark brown color. So, went there hoping to get my hands on it. And I did. But the excitement really turn sour coz the bag is not what I expected for.
The tote bag is quite functional with the 2 front zipped pocket and roomy internals. Yes, it does has their infamous buttery soft leather feel. But the color and leather type is totally off! Sure, the color looks smashing in their website, but it it's not that delicious, dark chocolate color; rather lighter than expected. Plus it's really scratch prone. Very. One scrape, then it's scarred to death! And the handle is not that long, when holding it tends to incline toward the pocket side. And the price? More than £500. Not even worth it.
The other one in grey is not full leather - nylon, with leather trim and canvas strap, instead. The nylon body feels very slippery and the leather also scratch prone. The one that I get my hands on is not the tote bag, but sling type. Cheaper (less than £200) but not that nice.
So, my verdict? Never truly believe what you saw in the website. Go and get your hands on them before you pursue to buy. As they say, try before you buy...
These are my boots, checking out -well- other boots at Filonos street in Piraeus. These ones I had bought years ago from Oasis in London for 5 quid. It was the last pair on sale and my size too (i'm a lucky 5). At the mo they are so in fashion over here, everyone keeps asking where I bought them from.
Today, Filonos is a street full of shoe stores. A few decades ago though, Filonos used to be the red district of the port of Piraeus. You can get there easily by train (it's about 3 blocks away from Piraeus train station) or bus (040 from Syntagma will drop you off at Dimotiko Theatro, 2 streets opposite Filonos). I know it doesn't look like much in the picture, but dig this: it's a mile of shoe stores! 
The 35 euro boots that elsewhere will cost you 100. Now I've got proof. Print it and rub it at the face of those who think they can cheat this way:)
Apart from the excellent prices, I really like the shops down there for being unique and covering aaaall styles and types of feet. It is more than fashion really and I think that's great. It should always be about personal style and not what big brands want you to stock on each season. Style is beyond fashion, and that's what this blog is all about anyway.
Most shops are quite old and still have this ancient system of protecting their windows (or should I say vintage?). Boots look imprisoned in there and this adds to my desire of wanting to free them and take them home. (any excuse...)
I quite like the red pumps on the left. Maybe I'll buy them, price is totally silly.
And these are my sister's next target. Not sure how I feel about shiny leather on such a large surface, but for 70 euros, what the heck!
Hope this was inspiring. I definetely enjoyed sharing.
*boots cost me 50 euros, very pleased.
It's 26th of December! Meaning... It's Boxing Day! SALE!!
Oh my God, loads and loads of people at Oxford Street today! Not contempt with the economic downturn, almost 1 million people crammed London West End to begin their anticipated Winter Sale, especially the one from Selfridges. Other than Harrods, Selfridges Sale is the one to look for finding great bargains. Anything from Gucci and Prada footwears, Dolce and Gabbana bags, Dunhill briefcase, Mulberry luggage and Louis Vuittons.. it's really a haven for the bargain hunters. It is estimated almost more than 10,000 people are in Selfridges this morning alone searching and snapping the offers. Most prices are slashed 50% like shoes and bags. No wonder there's massive queue at the Gucci, Prada and Chanel booths.
Not just that, Debenhams and House of Fraser also started their winter sale. Prices are slashed down up to 70% from shirts, tees, undies and even perfumes. Crowds are nightmare. To enter the mall is one problem, to pay is another. Expect the queue being like a snake being beaten up!
Sale, Sale, Sale!! Shop when their drop!
Talking about summer, one thing for sure is to change what we put our feet on. Away with high leather boots (or u may get preheated to oven temperature), in with the canvas plimsols, sandals and loafers. The would-be big next season must have been the boat shoe (or sometimes called deck shoe). Probably taken it's name by people who aboard the ship or cruise, the loafers have a trademark 'stiched' upper and shoe lace on the side.
ASOS offers boat shoes in various colors such as black, white and also the bubblegum blue, yellow and pink with white soles and smooth leather uppers. At River Island the fabric used is denim while French Connection and Sperry goes for slightly high-grain leather.
If you wanna unleash the Gilligan in you, boat shoes might be a good choice.
Boat shoes @ ASOS
These are my new pumps. Fake, black aligator pumps. I am sooo happy for this buy. First of all they are very easy to walk on, which means hours of dancing around the Christmas tree tomorrow. Second I bought them for 400 euros. Ooops. I meant 40. Fourty euros, can you believe it? I've discovered this shoes paradise (location to be revealed in a following post) where everything is magically cheaper to anywhere else. My sister is still kicking herself for buying some boots for 100 euros, which we then found there for a mere 35!
Front hidden wedge is most likely what makes them so impossibly comfy.
The zip at the back was love at first sight. I think it is ever so stylish in a sort of ..kinky way.
And the length of the heels will keep me at a decent height this holiday!!
Merry Christmas everyone!
Speaking of Lily Cole, this is a picture of her taken last summer at Glastonbury (came across it here). It reminded me how of comfy as well as kind to my feet wellies have always been. Truth is I feel wellies are so 2005 (remember? Kate Moss & Pete Doherty? yellow Marc Jacobs wellies on ebay?). Anyways, I found the closest thing to them, as comfy, but so right now, this season's DKNY wellie-like boots. Even though I am not a fan of logo emblazoned shoes, they are so convenient that I decided to bring them home with me. Guess what: I was not the only one appreciating them.
These are my feet, happily wearing them.
Oh and this is my cat, totally and mysteriously loving ...my left boot!
Whenever I leave them outside the shoe storage unit, I find that left boot in her beddy. It's crazy.
At first I thought it was some kind of smell she liked so much (had I stepped on something fishy?) but no. After spying on her several times I realised she likes to check out her reflection on the shiny parts. (still working on why she keeps choosing the left one).
