The Speakeasy...



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My daughter, Miss Tine, called me this morning
and asked if I could help her. She is planning a Ball 
around 1920's Prohibition and the Speakeasy.

She asked if I could could get in touch 
with people of 'my era...the older set'
who might have ideas on where she could
look for inspiration. I did mention in passing
that I was not a twenty something in the 1920's.

But I do know of a very talented group of readers who might
be able to suggest a few ideas for the twenty something crowd.

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I thought of actress Clara Bow...

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and The Great Gatsby.

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I then thought of what a twenty something girl 
today would wear to a Speak Easy Ball.


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and then wondered what I would wear, being that
I am 'of an era--in the older set'.
It didn't take me long to find this Poirot Design 
worn by Peggy Guggenheim. 
Photograph by Man Ray.
Yes please...


Penny Guggenheim in a Poiret Design
Photo by Man Ray
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So my question to you..when you think of the 1920's...
Prohibition...Speakeasy.. what else comes to mind? 
Any books, movies, photographs, links that might
help a young twenty something plan a Ball to remember?

I found this....




With that..
I wish you a rip-roaring weekend of fun and laughter!
1920's style..

Jeanne xx

Comments

  1. Love your choice of what to wear Jeanne...Jazz...the charleston and flappers come to mind for me.
    I hope your daughter's Ball is a great success!
    Have a lovely weekend.
    xx

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  2. Hi Jeanne - How much fun your daughter must be having planning a "flapper" ball! There are so many sources of inspiration these days...maybe she should watch "Midnight in Paris" or the original "The Great Gatsby"?

    This dress at Anthropologie: http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/product/dressshop-lbd/25942061.jsp is very flapperesque - especially when "jazzed" up with some bling!

    Enjoy your weekend and let us know how the ball turns out!! xoxoxo

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    1. Great suggestions Sandy..I forgot about 'Midnight in Paris'. Thank you for the link, you are fab! xx

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  3. Replies
    1. Virginia of Glamour Drops perfectly summarized it in a nutshell in her well researched series here http://blog.glamourdrops.com/2012/04/elegant-entertaining-jazz-age-inspired.html. Very inspirational indeed.

      Woody Allen's Bullets over Broadway and The Purple Rose of Cairo, though set in late 20-s depression might help.

      Chicago bands of Jazz Age and lots of glittering statement jewelry, stockings, perl strings, tiny hats, killer smokey eyes, looooong cigarettes, decadent ambience, perfume, cocktails, charleston and tango. Rudolph Valentino and Gloria Swanson the epitome of style and era.
      http://jewelyettofind.blogspot.ca

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    2. Could not agree more Becky... and Natalie...loving your suggestions and the links. Thank you! My daughter will appreciate all the buzz words...it makes such a difference, thank you! xx

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  4. Did you tell Miss Tine that not even her grandparents were twenty something in the 20's?

    I love the idea of a speakeasy ball. My grandmother was a dress designer in Chicago in the 20's. I'll have to rummage around for some of her sketches.

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    1. I mentioned that too Kyle..daughters! I hope you find the sketches, they would make for a fantastic blog post. Let me know when you do! xx

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  5. I am not very familiar with 1920s America but somehow, the movie Chicago comes to mind.

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  6. bobs and saxophones and flirting!

    delicious.

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    1. Sounds like a great title for a post Gloria...you must! :)

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  7. I will most definitely think on this; in the meantime may I say what a delicious idea for a Ball. I hope she has a wonderful time. Oh they must have a bath tub to chill the "booze". Love your dress!

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    1. Bathtub to chill the booze...Love it Bonnie! :)

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  8. An unusual idea for a young lady but I real like it. I love the 20's too particularly the little heats and their music. There was so much joie de vivre and hilarity.
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7DdF4-KVsAU

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    1. The perfect soundtrack to set the mood Rena...thank you! :)

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  9. Dear Jeanne,
    I think that you've thought of everything ........ our daughter and her boyfriend went to a 1920's night. It was organised by a company for someone's birthday and they don't tell you the venue until the last minute !!!! Our daughter had the hairband, fringed dress, cigarette holder, long pearl necklace and, she even borrowed a vintage fox fur ( yuk ) ..... the one that's a whole fox that you throw around your neck ( double yuk !!!! ) ..... she borrowed it from an older lady that we know who was around in that era !!!! She doesn't agree with wearing fur but, as it was vintage, thought that it would be OK . They all had a great time.
    Hope you are well Jeanne and enjoying your life in Vietnam. XXXX

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    1. Thank you Jackie....just reading the list of all that your daughter assembled for her outfit is fun! Lovely to hear from you Jackie...as always. xx

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  10. Wow - great ideas all. The 1920's is one of my favorite eras - for clothing, music, and expressions (Now you're on the trolley!). What a great blog Natalie posted. If you haven't yet watched the PBS series The House of Elliot, you're in for a treat with the fabulous fashions. Please ask her to let us know what she decides to do and send pics - I'd love to see them!

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    1. Oooh...Teri, now we are talking, The House of Elliot..I know it but do not believe I have seen it. I must go see...this is very exciting news. I just finished The Cazelets on DVD...a different era but still a fine English drama, the kind we love.. Thank you! xx

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  11. Welll... ;)...if it is a speakeasy that means an underground scene--think darkness, chinese lanterns maybe and not a lot of fancy stuff. As they were illegal, you "gotta" have the password to enter too. And not wine, nope, cocktails and beer for the gents. Hats and lots of hats. Peanuts galore. And Billie singing....

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    1. You are talking serious speakeasy Heather...very intriguing. Passwords, cocktails, hats, peanuts and Billie..now that sounds like fun! xx

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  12. How exciting! Speak easy's were pop ups. There could be a wonderful contrast between glamour (attire) and the location (abandoned buildings) or ....set against the back drop of a wealthy home. It was all about risk, celebration, beauty and bravado in an otherwise tough time. The tension is what makes this era still so relevant and compelling. Drama baby! Love!

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    1. Drama baby is right Brenda...now I want to throw my own speakeasy...and you are all invited! :)

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  13. Hello Jeanne from BYW:Blog Boss
    What a beautiful blog you've got! I've just looked through it and I'm amazed not only by the content but also by the photos - oh the colours in the previous posts to this are amazing.
    See youin class and have a wonderful week

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    1. Margarida...Welcome! So nice to see a fellow student. I will come look for you in the forum! :)

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  14. Hello Jeanne

    This is going to be a delightful Ball.
    What came to mind immediately on reading this is a recent movie we saw "The Eye Must Travel" Diane Vreeland. If you have not seen it, a must!
    In the movie, a documentary, she speaks of this era.
    I hope Tine sends photos to you.
    Helen xx

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    1. I have not seen it Helen and am dying to see it. I looked it up on itunes and Amazon for the best price. Amazon won out so I have to wait until it arrives via courier, Mr H...in mid-April. Can't wait! xx

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  15. OMG that dress! http://omgthatdress.tumblr.com/tagged/1920s has a wonderful collection of photos of dresses from the 20s that could provide inspiration. One of the Smithsonian's blogs has recently done a four part series, History of the Flapper: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/search/?keyword=%22history+of+the+flapper%22

    hope this isn't too late,

    Jan

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Can I just say....that I so enjoy what YOU have to say. If you would like to write to me directly, I would love to hear from you... jeannecollageoflife@gmail.com

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