David Hamilton for Show Magazine: April 1970

Ages ago I mentioned finding some David Hamilton images from a 70s magazine called Show. I found the magazine at a huge warehouse sale amongst stacks and stacks of old magazines and paper ephemera. I promised scans at the time, but a cluttered household kept me from getting it done. I rediscovered the magazine during the move, so here I am six months later, delivering that prolonged promise. 

I've admired David Hamilton's work for a long time. Maybe it's because he photographs pretty girls in fields, wearing sheer white dresses and floral sunhats, carrying delicate parasols. It seems to really fit my style. I'm constantly looking at his work for inspiration, and as much as I adore his photographs, I really appreciate the behind the scenes perspective of this article. It's from April of 1970 and it talks about how he quit his job as a top magazine photographer in London to pursue a free-lance career. He bought a 800-year-old house in the Saracen village of Ramatuelle (Southern France) and invited his models to come live with him for weeks or months at a time. Ewa and Irja are the two featured in this editorial. They're both Swedish, ages 17 and 18. 

As much as it sounds like a Charlie Sheen-goddess situation, I actually think David Hamilton's tactics were brilliant. Having his models live with him must have allowed for a very creative and productive household. And unlike ol' Charlie, he always delivered a tasteful perspective –– never raunchy.

I like the over the shoulder views of him with his camera and the girls in the background. It's nice to be in his line of sight –– very helpful for a wannabe photographer trying to scramble ideas together for a shoot. You can find more photos on my flickr page if you're interested.

Thrift Trip Magic

It's about time I did another 'thrift trip magic' post. I don't think I realized it until a couple of days ago, but these are my absolute favorite kinds of posts to do. I don't usually like to go back through my archives – I hate re-reading all the random things I talk about – but re-visiting my thrifted treasures always puts a nice big smile on my face!

I bought enough things at the last couple of estate sales to make an enormous post, but I decided I'd spread them out over a few days instead. Today I'm showing some of the prissier items that I picked up!

1. I found this magazine at a really great warehouse sale near the Capitol downtown. It's the same place that I found all those great items for my very first giveaway when my blog was in it's early stages. The couple that owns the warehouse has been holding a weekly sale once a month ever since the last time I went and I had no idea until I talked to them the other day. Unfortunately, this is the final week. A warehouse full of old Cosmopolitan magazines, photo albums, war jackets, and movie posters will be sold off to a pair of doctors who plan to use it as a warehouse for their software something-another.

I made off with a few special things and this magazine is without a doubt my favorite. I was very patient when I went, sifting through almost every publication in the building, making sure not to miss anything. My fingers were gray and dusty by the end. This magazine, Show: The Magazine of Film and Arts, was hiding under five other editions. As soon as I saw the cover, I knew it was David Hamilton! Two pretty girls standing in tall grass with pretty hats and an umbrella. I felt so lucky to have discovered it! I'd like to scan in the photos and small article from the feature soon.

2. At the estate sale I went to last weekend – the one where I bought the 60's coat and the kitty bag – there was a lot of really great vintage lingerie. Most memorable was this pair of rayon and lace shorts and a pair of printed cotton shorts with a matching cotton bra. The set instantly made me think of something a teenage girl would have worn at a slumber party, circa 1960! Unfortunately, it was one of things that I left behind on the first day. It wasn't there when I went back.

3. The headband came from the same warehouse sale as the magazine. I really don't have much to say about it other than the fact that I love it. It's simple and elegant and reminds me a lot of something a Spartan queen would have worn.

4. This was another dress I went back for on the estate sale discount day. It's got a few troublesome stains – please tell me your secrets as to how to get rid of those –  but it's such an exquistie piece with a great print and the most gorgerous flutter sleeves that I figured I'd at least attempt to rescue it.

5. The floral dress came from the same estate sale and has a few less stains than the other, but it's still in need of a little help too.

6. The last dress is without a doubt my favorite. It reminds me of the mustard-colored dress from the Orla Kiely fall collections, mostly because of the big velvet bow! My goal is to loose an inch from my hips so I can wear it for Christmas.