Showing posts with label PearlModern. Show all posts
Showing posts with label PearlModern. Show all posts

Thursday, June 9, 2011

Collecting Hats Is Serious Business - Mr. John



Mr. John was born John P. Harberger in Germany around 1902. He was as famous in the world of hats as Christian Dior was in the realm of haute couture.





Mr. John's hats were worn by the Duchess of Windsor, Gloria Swanson, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Gloria Vanderbilt, Lauren Bacall, Joan Crawford and Rosalind Russell. Mr. John created hats (astonishingly) for over one thousand classic films. His hats were worn by such film icons as Marlene Dietrich in "Shanghai Express" and "The Scarlet Empress", Greta Garbo in "The Painted Veil", Vivian Leigh in "Gone With The Wind" as well as Marilyn Monroe and Jane Russell in "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes". 

His work was featured on the covers of countless fashion magazines such as Vogue and Harper's Bazaar, photographed by Irving Penn and Horst P. Horst. Mr. John was a wildly creative genius milliner and a fabulously eccentric gentleman.




 

 




Here at Pearl Modern, we are always on the hunt for exciting hats. We have developed a deep appreciation for the creations of Mr. John. We tend to choose hats that have a certain "attitude", hats that a movie star on the lam might choose, worn with ridiculously large dark sunglasses. We love real glamour and think that one can look glamorous any time of the day and in any situation, from walking the dog to sipping cocktails. Hats are a brilliant way to up the ante with one's wardrobe, either giving your look an edge or softening it with a giant pouf of tulle sitting just so...





Below is an attention grabbing 1960's Mr. John woven raffia checkerboard hat with a daring black vinyl feather.





                                                                                                                                          available here



Below is a wildly sexy 1960's Mr. John leopard print faux fur hat. Rawr!



                                                                                                                                          available here



Below is a 1960's Mr. John mod Carnaby Street bubble hat.







                                                                                                                                        available here



Below is a 1960's Mr. John chic bohemian floppy hat.










                                                                                                                                          available here 


For a more in depth look at the incredibly interesting life of Mr. John, please read this excellent article from Framework.

Sunday, June 5, 2011

In Rotation - Scott Walker


Here at Pearl Modern, we have been obsessing on the discography of Scott Walker and The Walker Brothers. 

Beginning in 1964, The Walker Brothers recorded several albums such as "Portrait", "Images" and "Nite Flights".

In 1967, Scott Walker wrote and recorded the classic "Montague Terrace (In Blue)" released on his first solo album "Scott". 











In late 1967, Walker recorded the whimsical song "Jackie", written by Jacques Brel.












In 1969, Walker released the haunting ballad "If You Go Away", a reworking of "Ne Me Quitte Pas" by Jacques Brel, with English lyrics by Rod McKuen.










From 1969's Scott 4, another Walker penned masterpiece, "Angels of Ashes", recorded at Olympic Studios in London.







Below are two album covers from the Walker Brothers. After their reunion in the 1970s, the final Walker Brothers album "Nite Flights"(1978) foreshadowed the future darker tone of Scott Walker's later work...












"The Electrician" from "Nite Flights"(1978)







Finally, an under appreciated bluesy number written by Scott Walker from his 1970 solo album "'Til The Band Comes In" entitled "Joe".



Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Cocktail Of The Week - "The Joan Holloway Martini"



Inspired by the fiery red hair and sweet and sour nature of this iconic television character, we created this feisty cocktail just for you.

Cocktail Of The Week - "The Joan Holloway Martini"

Serves Four

8 oz calvados
2 oz sweet vermouth
4 oz martinelli's apple juice
1/2 tsp angostura bitters
1 tsp grenadine

fill cocktail shaker with ice
add all ingredients
shake well
strain into four chilled martini glasses

enjoy! 
 





On the subject of cocktails, below is an art deco chrome tantalus. Perfect for presenting your rarest spirits.







































                                                                                                                                          available here




Below is an art deco chrome cocktail set, ideal for an intimate gathering of fabulous guests.
































                                                                                                                                          available here

Monday, May 30, 2011

Read This: Thomas Pynchon "Inherent Vice"

Cover image: Darshan Zenith / Cruiser Art


Blow your mind! 

Through a drug smoke haze, Thomas Pynchon's "Inherent Vice" takes us on a wild ride through late 1960's Southern California, painting a perfect picture of our post-hippie youth. At times the landscapes seem apocalyptic, but in reality they are just astute depictions of sprawl and decay juxtaposed with acerbic wit.



Below are photos inspired by the wordscapes of Thomas Pynchon.











 Hollywood Freeway - 1969

Saturday, May 28, 2011

Concrete Jungle Girl














































Below is a rare find, an amazing wicker monkey handbag from the 1950s. This is the perfect carry-all for a concrete jungle girl to transport her essentials (iPhone, fuchsia lip gloss and fancy chocolates).





                                                                                                                             available here




 Jungle girl, show your wild side!




Below is a wild tiger print dress, the perfect neon camouflage for stalking your prey at night...


                                                                                   available here


 A concrete jungle girl always needs extra flash, why not throw on a big chain with a wild beast surrounded by rhinestones! A hunting trophy, perhaps?



                                                                                                                                           available here

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Of The Tropical Persuasion













The days are getting warmer and here at Pearl Modern we are going tropical! We have been searching the world for fun, graphic patterns and lush colors inspired by the legendary Brazilian style of Carmen Miranda, the fabulously decadent nightlife of pre-revolutionary Cuba and the fun-in-the-sun sixties of Waikiki Beach.








The fabulous dress below is from 1960's Guam, a geographical and cultural crossroads. Its flavor is both Polynesian and Japanese, with a little Latin flair.








                                                                                   available here






 Waikiki Beach! Below is a fun and flirty 1960's Kamehameha mini dress that is the perfect thing to throw on over a bikini (with the perfect sandals, of course)...










                                                                                   available here




Copacabana - 1947


















Below is a long, slinky gown ideal for cocktails and dancing late into the night...




                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   available here


Cocktail of the week - "The Tropical Persuasion"


Serves Four


2 to 3 cups crushed ice
3/4 cup vodka
1/4 cup white rum
3 tbsp canned coconut cream
juice of two large lemons
1/4 cup superfine sugar
1 kiwi fruit, peeled and sliced


Garnish:


additional kiwi fruit slices


In an electric blender, blend all ingredients (except garnish) until frothy. 
Serve in chilled glasses, garnish with kiwi fruit slices.




And the closing musical number for tonight is from the amazing Cuban upright bassist Cachao, performing a rendition of one of his famous descargas.