Monday, September 04, 2006

circa 1974

Somewhere in Middle America . . .

1974

My mom made this dress for me. I picked out the pattern and the Holly Hobbie fabric. It was one of my favorite dresses of all time.

It tied in the back. And note the collar and sleeve cuffs ... the knee socks ... and the shoes: blue and white oxfords. It's a whole look.

You may laugh (and for good reason: I look like a dork) but I was so fond of that dress that I still think I looked great in it.

This picture was probably taken on the first day of school. My mom always made a new outfit for me to wear on the first day of classes.





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A brief foray in to architectural and interior design history: Is that house a classic '70s era split-level ranch with redwood siding? Why yes, yes it is. Did my bedroom have mod rainbow wallpaper in shades of yellow and orange? Yes it did. Did the sheets match? Funny you should ask. Indeed they did. But that was nothing compared to the previous decor: ruffled bedspread and cafe curtains covered in hallucinogenic pink and purple mushrooms.
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This is a close-up of the fabric.
It's an old photograph so this is as good as it gets.







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(Below) Spring 2006: Anna Sui, and Fall 1974: Mom.







1 comment:

Anonymous said...

I bought some Gunne Sax dresses from E-Bay for my high school students to wear for "victorian" photo props. We are shooting "old time" photos.
The girls are going nuts over the ruffles, lace and patterns of the Gunne Sax dresses, I see this as a fashion trend, I remember Gunne Sax prom dresses, my sister wore one!