There is an oft-talked about scene in my new book The Ghosts of Paris where my main character, private inquiry agent Billie Walker, enters the famous Hôtel Ritz Paris in 1947. Parisians and foreigners are happily drinking and going about their post-war lives less than...
Why Classic Crime Fiction Was Obsessed With Fashion
Early in my career as a novelist, I received a critical review of my work complaining that I described, in too much detail, the garments worn by my characters. It may have been fair comment. I was in my twenties at the time, a debut crime novelist. My writing instinct...
Seven Indomitable Women of World War II
In these times of unrest, lockdowns and change, and on the 75th Commemoration of the End of World War II, it feels more appropriate than ever to see what lessons we can take from pivotal moments in history, and the actions of those who came before us. After all, as...
Visit Me At Victory Lamour
Vintage lovers, my vintage dedicated web digs are now live at victorylamour.com and all future vintage and retro blog posts will be found there. At Victory Lamour I’ll be focusing on midcentury history, 40s and 50s fashion and film, as well as sustainability and recycling methods, authentic vintage and retro reproduction fashion, vintage caravans (and their repairs), gender and feminism, and the new body-positive pin-up movement.
Girls Will Be Boys
I recently had the great pleasure of shooting with the talented photographer Lauren Horwood. In keeping with the traditions of the vintage and retro scene I enjoy, we did some ultra-feminine pin up styles on our first shoot. This time I wanted to keep it retro, but to go for something a little different.
Vintage Red: Tara’s Lipstick Test
Some of the most frequent questions I now get from those interested in vintage style are about red lipsticks. What works? What stays? Obviously, the brighter or darker the colour, the more of a mess it makes if it comes off. With this in mind, I thought I would conduct a basic test of the three red lipsticks I have worn the most in the past year. Here it is, Tara’s Red Lipstick Test…
In Defence of High Waists and Low(er) Shoes
Don’t get snookered into the false notion that you have to be uncomfortable to dress well, just because what you see in brand clothing stores and glossy magazines is breathtakingly impractical.
WWII pin-up shoot with Bexterity
I recently did a shoot with Bek Morris, Australia’s Bunny Yeager. She is the powerhouse behind Bexterity, she runs her own photography business and reproduction vintage clothing store, has a talent for creating classic 40s and 50s pin-up looks on all her varied clients, and personally handles every aspect of her photo shoots.
A fine day for a vintage 50s Fair
We enjoyed our first 50s Fair yesterday, put on by Sydney Living Museums, the Historic Houses Trust. The event has run for the past 18 years to showcase the 1950s architecture of Harry Seidler’s iconic masterpiece, Rose Seidler House.
Vintage Workshop with Mistress Chrissy
‘There are no age or beauty barriers.’ – Mistress Chrissy.
On Sunday I attended a vintage workshop by The Lindy Charm School for Girls. It seemed like a fun opportunity to spend an afternoon with some other vintage lady-geeks. I was not disappointed.