“History is merely a list of surprises. It can only prepare us to be surprised yet again.” — The always quotable Kurt Vonnegut
This week’s edition of News From the Craft + Style Blogosphere pays tribute to the persistence of archivists and scavengers: fashion oddities and not-so-oddities through history, inner wear as outer wear (oh my!), design predictions for the year 2000, cute ephemera brought back to the limelight, and visual punnage at its most aesthetically pleasing.
Read on!
Square America is my newest fascination. This collection of vintage vernacular photography “tells the story of America from the 1890s through the early 1970s, literally beginning inside a surrey with the fringe on top and ending on the Moon.” There are countless “albums” to get lost in, including What We Wore, a spellbinding homage to the beautiful, dated, and often outlandish clothing, styles and accessories of the not-so-distant past. Make sure to check out “The Eternal Sunshine of Fred & Anne” for an early 20th century photo album in which all evidence of former loves has been “imperfectly, and often violently, erased.”
I am completely and totally smitten with Kate Street‘s bizarre play on punnage. (“Bird in the hand,” anyone?) Her work incorporates eyes, elements of nature and human extremities, which are some of my favorite things. This is not artwork you will soon forget. [Via Phantasmaphile]
Kingdom of Style‘s Queen Michelle does a fabulous job giving life to fashion elements that have seemingly seen their day (i.e. girdles, corsets, etc.). I’m totally impressed that she can make a rock a girdle along the same lines as the outside-the-clothes harness trend. True fashion sense means turning the “assumed” functions of clothing on its head. (Little Edie, I am channeling you!)
This video time capsule shows off 1930′s fashion designers’ conceptions of what clothing would be like in the year 2000. As a post-millenium “Eve,” I’m still waiting for my glass wedding dress. Also, sign me up for that belt that regulates body temperature! [Via Jezebel]
If you’re into ephemera and old, possibly forgotten artwork, then Ephemeratopia is for you. The blogger behind this visual treasure trove has been collecting antique postcards and artwork for years and is now finally sharing it. Good times! (Also, this site proves that the cute animal meme has been alive and well for over a century!)
Wanna give me some more artsy, style or design blogs to peruse? Leave them in the comments! And check out past installments of News From the Craft + Style Blogosphere!
99 comments
Sign in to add your ownretrothreadz says:
Love the fashion ~ great pics
3 years ago
CircaCeramics says:
Kate Street's work = Wow :)
3 years ago
chakrapennywhistle says:
Oh! I am really loving those blue tights with the shorts and matching belt. I also really enjoyed the Vonnegut quote and everything posted! Great installment :)
3 years ago
bread says:
Love the photo of balloons in a misty field!
3 years ago
adoreneko says:
Gorgeous work that really makes a unique fashion statement.
3 years ago
TuscaloosaRoad says:
I cant wait to peruse the Square America photographs! Thank you TA
3 years ago
LaveMeSoapCo says:
hott!
3 years ago
replicca says:
i'm a big fan of Queen Michelle's - Kingdom of Style is a daily source of inspiration!
3 years ago
WoollyWonka says:
Love the old pictures!
3 years ago
thestapeliacompany says:
Once again... love it. Those old photos are amazing, the artwork with the real-looking hands is creepy and great, and who can resist some paper ephemera??? Keep it up! :)
3 years ago
zwzzy says:
OOOOO one of my most favorite Craft/Style blogger posts yet! Ballerina bunny! Fashion predictions! Kitties!
3 years ago
thesocialcellar says:
Creepy comes and goes, but pretty-creepy is forever. I love everything about this post!
3 years ago
1AEON says:
this is one of my fav article!!! pretty sweet pics too!
3 years ago
aimeesarmoire says:
Man, I HAD errands to do... now I've got to find those crazy cantilevered heel shoes from the 1930s! Oh well, I'll let The Man do the errands. I have more important things to do... shoes, must find the shoes!
3 years ago
roseredwinter says:
That video of future fashion is amazing. I love the early 20th centuries idea of the future, it's so much cooler than it really is.
3 years ago
loulouandoscar says:
Thank you so much for this fabulous article, it really caught my imagination, I have some wonderful old family photographs I need to dig out. I can feel a blog post coming on!
3 years ago
JAdamsDesigns says:
I Love all the vintage things in here, thats always been a big inspiration for me. The picture of the flapper in the beaded outfit is superb!!!
3 years ago
themefragrance says:
Great article...photographs and picks were great! the retro/mod mix nicely chosen.
3 years ago
HAREandDRUM says:
Fun finds! I bookmarked a lot!
3 years ago
lovelygifts says:
That video is priceless
3 years ago
TipsyTimeMachine says:
Oh, those hands are beautifully creepy. I was looking through pictures of my mom's teenage years, to use for invitations for her birthday. Always fun to look at the hairstyles and clothing.
3 years ago
Morado says:
I love the photographs...specially the very first one...with balloons in the field...soo eeery
3 years ago
oyster says:
Oh my - need me some navy tights, NOW!
3 years ago
rhealeanne says:
Very cool pics!
3 years ago
ToHellinAHandbag says:
I love the old photos! Is that my mom at the beach?
3 years ago
PipocaHandmade says:
Awesome! Love the artwork from Kate Street!
3 years ago
gloilocksandbody says:
Aww, thats my lil' stack! Thanks Allison :D In total agreement with the girdles.
3 years ago
loopylocks says:
Thanks for sharing square america blog with us. I just checked it out and now I am hooked!
3 years ago
weirdwolf says:
So great! I love the Ephemeratopia site.
3 years ago
weirdwolf says:
Haha the man of the futures belt with candy for cuties! Brilliant.
3 years ago
ericawalker says:
love this- i'm fascinated by kate street's work- especially the "bird in hand" (i seem to have a knack for finding dead birds and enjoy photographing them, weird?...). and hello, you have to love the ladies in the cat eye glasses!
3 years ago
IceCreamCandy says:
the first photo is so so dreamy...love!!
3 years ago
vivilian says:
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3 years ago
HelloVictory says:
great article as usual. LOVE love love that night sky skirt!
3 years ago
KOALACaddie says:
My mom wore those corsets! I remember her disapproval when my sisters and I refused. It would be fun to photograph clotheslines with lingerie evolving over the last 50 years. Thanks for a great post.
3 years ago
dragonhouseofyuen says:
really gorgeous items in the mini treasury!
3 years ago
asundrynotion says:
A good one! Glad Square America has put together some of the millions of cast off, forgotten old photos. Always in love with Victorian chromolithographs & trade cards. The cats are so darn cute!
3 years ago
vintageandnew says:
NICE ITEMS AND PICTURES
3 years ago
shavingkitsuppplies says:
I love it when someone takes a vintage look and updates it like with the garters and girdles. So sexy! And colored tights with ankle boots is such a hot look - have to get some colored tights now! Everything's so wonderful.
3 years ago
tadaboutique says:
Love the photos. I had a nostalgic moment. Loved all of it. Thank you!
3 years ago
variation says:
Thanks for sharing the Square America site! It's fantastic.
3 years ago
kate84 says:
Great video - and guys will have compartments in their clothing for "candy for cuties"?? Love it!
3 years ago
f2images says:
Wow, what an interesting read. First, image by Rachel Marsden is STUNNING!! Second, it's interesting to me to see the different images through the years. It makes me happy that I do follow certain trends, because when I look back on the images throughout my years, they have a much more interesting story to tell. Emiko ;)
3 years ago
sealmaiden says:
great job bringing us new insights from things that have come before!
3 years ago
Pir8t says:
Wonderful!
3 years ago
artlab says:
Nice story! Thanks for introducing me to the work of Kate Street and showing some great styling from Queen Michelle. She does it in such a seemingly effortless way!
3 years ago
HibouCards says:
Love Kate Street's art, thanks for sharing this with us... It's so great to discover new artists! lots of cool picks too :) great job!
3 years ago
mybirch says:
Awesome Article TeenAngster! Totally loving the Kate Street showing!
3 years ago
artlab says:
Thank you for the u tube video on futuristic fashion predictions!!! Brilliant!
3 years ago
TheCottageCheese says:
Great old photographs from Square America! I love the little tree embroidery pick. And I can watch the fashion prediction for the year 2000 video over and over!
3 years ago
monkeyandsquirrel says:
all so very surreal... love it!
3 years ago
blueberryshoes says:
i drooled everywhere--
3 years ago
zeropumpkin says:
love all the old pics :)
3 years ago
VitalTemptation says:
The first picture with balloons is amazing. The fashion pics are crazy beautiful.Gorgeous collection.
3 years ago
OneEcoTree says:
I think this is my favorite so far! I LOVE history & that video is classic!! Check out the guy's belt at the end! Oh, if only we dressed like that! LOL! Oh, I am LOVING tinywarbler's bunny & entire shop! Very nice work!!
3 years ago
Faeriedtreasures says:
Ooh, swish. :)
3 years ago
AnnLuise says:
Thank you for that article and these pictures. The oddities of our lives are quit inspiring in any way. Just those "hand holders" are really really weird.Love, AnnLuise
3 years ago
RachelMarsden says:
Wow! Someone just told me my image was on Storque. I'm thrilled to find it here. What a lovely surprise and way cool article!!!!!
3 years ago
CutieDynamite says:
Those vintage photos are amazing! Great article!
3 years ago
whitemetal says:
I love the pink skirt! cool pics
3 years ago
moonovermaize says:
'Oh swish' haha..that video is fabulous! Great article!
3 years ago
baconsquarefarm says:
Square America is quite a hoot, great article, got all these places saved I can read again. Oh liked the post cards too. Thanks TeenAngster
3 years ago
littlepinkpebble says:
amazing pictures~!! *clap*
3 years ago
SugarMohawk says:
Soooooooo Cooooooool! Soooooooo Yooneek!
3 years ago
onecreativegirl says:
Square america is great - thanks for turning me on to it!
3 years ago
enhabiten says:
thanks for the square america link. i am looking forward to spending time there. i don't know how you find all this stuff. it's such a pleasure to read.
3 years ago
edor7 says:
I like the peachy/grey/black color scheme loads. heavy duty belt and neck gear is also too cool.
3 years ago
worksandfinds says:
Oooh, that video got me. Electric headlight to help you to find the honest man?
3 years ago
babook says:
i like the role picture lol .lol . lol .lol .lol ....
3 years ago
minouette says:
"The Eternal Sunshine of Fred & Anne" is fascinating, and of course I love anything with hands and natural history. Thanks! Agence Eureka is also great for ephemera: http://bibigreycat.blogspot.com/
3 years ago
Radness says:
great inspirational pics! thank you
3 years ago
KidsVille says:
Beautiful pics and interestint pics. http://kidsville.etsy.com
3 years ago
allthosethrees says:
Loved the futuristic fashion predictions!
3 years ago
selflesh says:
So good!!!
3 years ago
ireneagh says:
Love this foto!! Cool! :)
3 years ago
Gwendolynsdesign says:
Love the vintage pictures of our not too far gone past. i really love the ozzy & harriet stage of dressing. They were still modest but fun, perhaps I need to look further into that and let it influance my clothing...
3 years ago
QuercusSilver says:
Any blog that quote the mighty Vonnegut is great by me. I l love dipping into new things and I am delighted my pool ring is featured here, too!
3 years ago
bellasparty says:
Interesting pictures!
3 years ago
barbjensen says:
Kate Street = fantastic work. I love the video too. Nice article!
3 years ago
MidnightDesignStudio says:
Thanks Teen for this article! Most of my artwork & prints is from vintage tin types and photography from the not so distant past... as some quite distant, ha! So this is completely inspirational! Best article ever! Rock!
3 years ago
odiliafu says:
TeenAngster, I always enjoy reading your articles. Great pics!! Wonderful sites!! Love them!!
3 years ago
SundraSandrusi says:
Great article!!! photographs!!! and picks !!!
3 years ago
missmaisy says:
great piece and fab picks! am a big quercussilver fan too :)
3 years ago
BroadstoneDesigns says:
Love the video of the future predictions, and hey they got some of it right we all have a persoanl telephone and radio now. great
3 years ago
exclamationpoint says:
Is that what went wrong???? <---------------forgot to purchase her "electric light to find an honest man" hair accessory.
3 years ago
CarriersCozyCottage says:
I love everything Vintage...this article truly grabs the imagination ! I like posting Vintage Fashion Tips in my Shop announcements.
3 years ago
StrungAlong says:
Love!
3 years ago
RoughGems says:
great pics, great post! I love the craft/style blog! <3<3<3
3 years ago
ChanceVintage says:
The Square America - I owe you big for this one! I am blown away...
3 years ago
kissavintagedesign says:
so good. need I say more?
3 years ago
DesignCoach says:
I have to check out Square America. I collect old photos in houses, especially interior shots. Old ones are hard to find, but when I do, the challenge is in figuring out the year (or decade) they were taken.
3 years ago
Luna66 says:
Love the old pictures!
3 years ago
nosideup says:
love the exteriorized undergarments!
3 years ago
BluCille says:
Cool ring!
3 years ago
Love2BInspired says:
Amazing how risque things where even long ago. Things have evolved but yet with the same intents.
2 years ago
SummerLetters says:
Place me on the grass among the balloons...
2 years ago