Babylon Blog

if you pop by hollywood babylon in the next month or so you will be in for a treat, as we are currently displaying the awesome art of tim goodyear. (you may have seen it before inside pork magazine) we kicked off the show with a bad movie night in the shop featuring deadbeat at dawn and the uninvited...friend us on Facebook to stay tuned on facebook for future events at hollywood babylon. (always free) [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6pKPkf9dJKw&w=420&h=315] [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AX-baqOLO4g&w=420&h=315]

all day saturday, january 19th we'll be having an INSANE SALE party starts at 7pm...stop by and toast our 2 years in business with us! we'd love to see ya! hot mama salsa + drinks provided

i recently stumbled upon this trailer for upcoming documentary - Diana Vreeland: The Eye Has to Travel [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8CvE0PPW9wk&w=560&h=315] Diana Vreeland (1903-1989) was the 20th Century’s greatest arbiter of style, an exotic and vibrant character who, during her fifty-year reign as the “Empress of Fashion,” dazzled the world with her unique vision of style high and low. She launched Twiggy, advised Jackie O, and coined some of fashion’s most eloquent proverbs such as “the bikini is the biggest thing since the atom bomb.” She lived a vibrant and remarkable life, and as the star performer in her own drama, Diana began writing the script for it at an early age. She was the fashion editor of Harper’s Bazaar where she worked for twenty-five years before becoming editor-in-chief of Vogue, followed by a remarkable stint at the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute, where she helped popularize its historical collections. DIANA VREELAND: THE EYE HAS TO TRAVEL is an intimate portrait and a vibrant celebration of one of the most influential women of the twentieth century, an enduring icon who has had a strong influence on the course of fashion, beauty, publishing and culture. Along the way, the story of Vreeland illustrates the evolution of women into roles of power and prominence throughout the 20th century, and travels through some of the century’s greatest historical and cultural eras, including Paris’ Belle Epoque, New York in the roaring twenties, and London in the swinging sixties. It also spans such historical events as the great wars, the flights of Lindbergh, the romance of Wallis and Windsor, the Kennedy inauguration, and the freewheeling spirit of the 1960’s youthquake, and the advent of countless fashion revolutions from the bikini to the blue jean. (copied from here) i read her biography years ago - what a cool intriguing creative life she lived...i haven't found any showtimes of the movie yet here in portland, oregon....but as soon as i find out when/where it's playing i will be sure to post...i'm dying to see it myself (it's now playing - as of 10/20/12) in the meantime here are a few pic of her legendary style: photo by: Horst P Horst a look from one of the many images she created she was also known for her one liners. here are a few: - The only real elegance is in the mind; If you've got that, the rest really comes from it. - What do I think about the way most people dress? Most people are not something one thinks about. - Pink is the navy blue of India. - Blue jeans are the most beautiful things since gondola - I always wear my sweater back to front. It is much more flattering. - Too much good taste can be boring. - (Balenciaga) did the most delicious evening clothes. Clothes aren't delicious anymore. - People who eat white bread have no dreams. what's not to love? xo, hb Diana Vreeland: The Eye Has to Travel now playing at the regal fox tower in down town portland oregon ‎12:25‎ - ‎2:25‎ - ‎4:50‎ - ‎7:00‎ - ‎9:40pm‎

Tonight we will have the pleasure of seeing glam punk legends Redd Kross headline East End's annual Block Party. Known for their infectious power pop and their often over the top vintage fashion we thought it'd be the perfect time to share a few pictures of them past and present. Formed in 1978 they were a huge part of the LA punk scene and their bass player Steven McDonald also plays in a little band called OFF! with Keith Morris from the Circle Jerks / Black Flag. Redd Kross are releasing their new album "Researching the Blues" next month on Merge records after 15 years of silence and tonight are playing right here in Portland Oregon. Here's hoping they they stop in the shop today for some new vintage duds... [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6nSIp6o6N8]

vintage t-shirts have always been one of our favorite things and we also like to make things! here are some recycled t-shirt dresses we made that you can buy on etsy: yes that is a baby wolf... a dream catcher AND a sexy indian maiden....to buy go here we have an in-house serger here and if you have any old large or x-large t-shirts that you would like reshaped, feel free to bring them by or pop it in the mail for us to re-style for you. the silhouette is universally flattering. (rates vary based on quantity) for a limited time we have these cloud print tees...available in small, medium or large and in varying lengths. message us to place a special order at info@babylonvintage.com thanks and stay tuned for more designs coming soon... have a great weekend everyone!

many a fine shoe have passed through our little shop, and as many of you know, shoes are my passion (i occaisionally host popups where footwear is the main attraction) i've always been a fan of unique footwear and was thrilled by the resurgence of platforms a few years back...and they seem to be here to stay. maybe they aren't for everyone, and not everyone knows how to rock them, but they are beautiful as an object at that.   above: ferragamo recently re-produced this style originally conceived in 1938 above: november 10, 1944 - carmen miranda poses with her large collection of wedges above: twiggy posing in biba's kensington store, 1971 looks featured on whowhatwear below

 

there is something irresistible about a leather clad bad boy. am i wrong? the leather jacket is an essential ingredient of the tough guy image.

here is a little photo tribute to some dudes looking bad in leather through the years...

below: archival photo of a hells angel wearing his metal studded leather jacket 1960 - 1970

above: Steve McQueen was the ultra-cool male film star of the 1960s, and rose from a troubled youth spent in reform schools to being the world's most popular actor.

above: Marlon Brando in 'The Wild Ones'

James Dean above.

above: the T-birds

below: our favorite gang of leather jacket wearing dudes The Ramones

above: The Misfits circa 1977

above: Mr. John Lydon with Sid Vicious in the late seventies.

stay tuned for a bad girls post yet to come....

above: Brigitte Bardot on a motorcycle circa 1971

Hollywood Babylon was honored to participate along with other local Portland designers and boutiques in this year's 'For Love of Boobs' fashion show to benefit breast cancer awareness...we tried our hardest to create over the top runway looks for our sassy models who worked it like seasoned pro's.   this was their sexy boho-y fur look. andy parker was a hit with the ladies... beautiful sara e. walked with daughter taeo in honor of loved ones who have battled cancer. thanks to the lovely coordinators of this event, all who came out, and special thanks to our sweet models!