The Secret Code of Beauty Spots

You’re looking at a very rare portrait from 1650 depicting a Black woman and a White woman, both appearing to hold equal status, some 183 years before the abolition of slavery act. Curiously, rather than commenting on the race debate in 17th century Britain via the uncommon pairing, the anonymous artist chose to write an…

The Tale of the 1970s Fashion Apocalypse

Because seriously, what were they thinking? The earliest signs of infection: People standing around in spread eagle pose, looking upwards. Soon men started hanging out together in tight, colorful underpants: One word people: EUROPANTS. Nothing made sense anymore… Oh so that’s why nothing is happening … I’m not wearing Eleganza. Men in shiny shirts began…

1970s Fashion: London Reacts to the Platform Shoe

More evidence of the fashion apocalypse that was the 1970s! “I don’t know what they do to your feet but the manufacturers and the fashion editors say, ‘Not to worry, they look great‘”. (This must be how the brainwashing started). A vintage documentary from the archives of British Pathé, rounded up some Londoners for a…

15 Fashion Trends of the Past that Today’s Designers haven’t Copied … Yet

Fashion tends to repeat itself … a lot. In fact sometimes it’s seems that is all it does is ‘borrow’ from another decade, another era. But let’s take a gander at some very interesting styles that today’s designers haven’t yet sent down the catwalk…. 1. Embroidered Knee Highs Knee highs were like, so hot in…

Wearing a Belt on your Head was actually a thing in 1960s Paris.

You know when get a little drunk and put a belt around your head because it seems fun at the time … no? Well me neither then, but in 1960s Paris, apparently you didn’t have to be drunk to think head belts made your head look more fashionable. From yet another LIFE magazine gem dug…

Curiosity du Jour: Inside Out Handbags of Yore

Empty a woman’s handbag inside out and you’ve got the right idea about the chatelaine. Before purses were a woman’s primary accessory, this curious contraption that fell into the annals of fashion obscurity over time, once commonly served to carry her daily armour. Designed very much like a tool belt worn at the waist, the chatelaine…

Pinterest Trend du Jour: Hair Braiding No Average Woman could Possibly Achieve

We’ve got fishtails, french crowns, greek style, cage buns, cross plaits and five strands– who knew there were so many impossibly intricate ways to braid hair. Are there braiding schools I missed out on? Pinterest ofcourse, is the place to find your hair braiding inspiration. [Follow Shelly McOwen] [Follow Emily Sanborn]…

The Braided Rapunzels of Africa & other Tribal Trends

My early weekday nights are typically spent wandering the depths of Pinterest. On this occasion, I found a rather hypnotising pin board called Fashion Around the World, where I discovered these incredible African Rapunzels… The hairstyle currently making you do a double-take is known as Eembuvi Braids, worn by women of the Mbalantu tribes from the Namibia. It’s…