Babylon Blog

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

hollywood babylon was stoked to style corin tucker band's new video "neskowin" and work with director alicia j. rose et al. it was an absolute dream to work on a project inspired be the late seventies-early eighties with such an enthusiastic director and such an agreeable cast and crew. alicia gave us the theme of the video referencing poly styrene from the x-ray spex, foxes, little darlings, and we threw in many of our personal first hand memories from our punk-rock youth. back in the a day there was a DIY sensability which we wanted to capture in the styling. we especially enjoyed dressing the kids for the arcade scene ala goonies! it's really a mash-up of seventies and eighties fashion! we loved raiding our shop for all the pieces and it's fun to see it all immortalized. the video launched a couple weeks ago on npr and spin and others, if you haven't seen it you're in for a treat! [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xY7TRjAvgvY&w=560&h=315] to see some of our inspiration for the shoot go here!

hey everyone, my good friend sunny was visiting from san francisco on tour with his band carletta sue kay they played at valentine's in portland and it was one of the best shows i've seen in a while (right up there with redd kross!) i will add some very low res video soon. check out the fab pink mexican dress carletta found at hollywood babylon and wore for her perfomance: they play again tonight, saturday september 22 in tacoma washington at the pantages theatre as part of a festival (i think it might be free?) catch 'em if you can - they put on a great show and are some of the nicest people around. [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m--zfsgkDUc&w=560&h=315] xo, hb here's the low res video from the other night that i promised: [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94C-w8eA73g?list=UUeJdcG58DDxV74o1gPU8cGQ&hl=en_US&w=560&h=315]

Everybody loves velvet paintings it seems these days and right now we are lucky enough to have some of the best ones in Portland gracing our walls. Velvet paintings by local artist Juanita are for sale at Hollywood Babylon. Check more of her work right here and keep in mind she does some incredible custom work as well...

a new pdx jewelry designer that we love, Glass Tower Jewelry & Design. we just received some of her custom earrings and they are now for sale at our retail location.

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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]

  SUNBATHE. (remember spf!)   CAMPING WITH FRIENDS!   ROADTRIP                 bring your dog along for added adventure! (our dog kaya daydreaming on a roadtrip back in the day) just a few ideas...here's hoping everyone gets a chance to squeeze in some fun this summer!!

i remember my father telling me a great story when i was young about finding a time capsule. i thought it was the coolest thing ever...i even buried a few shoeboxes out in the arizona desert behind our house filled with candy, polaroids, artwork and other surprises, inspired by his story. i recently stumbled upon this blog post on messy nessy and it blew my mind...click on the photo below to read the story and see more photos of a paris apartment left abandoned and untouched for 70 years...enjoy!

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!