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Tuesday 10 March 2015

BY INVITATION ….. FLOWERS and FASHION ……….

Our By Invitation subject this month is Flowers and Fashion …..
Flower Power is back and, sad to say, I was in my late teens / early twenties when it made it's first appearance !! 





I was a mod and spent hours in Biba and went down the Twiggy route rather than the hippy, flowery one.


….. but, even Biba entered into the flowery spirit of it all with  strong pigmented make up with flowery names …..




….. and subtle, ditzy florals in dark browns, burgundys and purples.


For a more Edwardian, feminine look, there was Laura Ashley. You could match your dress to your sofa, to your curtains to your wallpaper if you wanted to !!!!!




….. and now, in 2015, it's all back again.


Not being the biggest fan of florals when it came in in the 1970's, I don't think that I'll be buying into it this time.


I'll stick to reading about flowers …..


picking them …..


….. and growing them !!


I am paying homage to the florals by wearing my new perfume, Maison Martin Margiela Replica Flower Market ….. it really does smell like a flower shop !



Were you wearing florals the first time round { I bet some of you men out there had some flowery trousers !! } and will you be wearing it again this year ?








For more flowery frippery, the other By Invitation contributors will be putting their own take on it so, as usual, Marsha has all of the links.




image 1 & 13: via sleepless, image 2: via byronsmuse, image 3, 5, 7 & 15: via pinterest, image 4: via superseventies, image 6: via barbara hulinicki, image 8: via zsa zsa bellagio, image 9: via john rocha, image 10: via preen, image 11: via kero i am, image 12: via good reads, image 14: via nibs blog


Jackie

67 comments:

  1. J, sad to say I remember it well and I will not be doing it again except in a very soft, feminine way.
    No bell-bottoms, no midriff baring, Yes, it was a beautiful time, but most of all I remember the music! The new interpretations are really lovely though, aren't they? xx's

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    1. I think that I remember the music more than the flowery clothes too Marsha.
      …. and you're right. The new interpretations are lovely. XXXX

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  2. When I was first in the antiques business, I was briefly in partnership with Justin de Villeneuve (Nigel Davies); but he soon went off to make Twiggy into a big star (she was still just a schoolgirl). And, yes, I too spent hours in bloody Biba (high st ken), waiting for girlfriends to decide what they wanted me to buy for them!!! The only interesting bit was watching all those half naked girls prancing about.

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    1. I was probably one of those half naked girls Cro !!!! XXXX

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  3. ...lovely post Jackie!
    best regards m.

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    1. Hi Magdalena …… so lovely to hear from you. Hope all's well with you and yours. XXXX

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  4. I do love flowers...but floral designs not for me...I'm a plain girl.
    I love your images and the winter colours of 1973...I was wearing a ghastly emerald green school uniform and a grey mac that my Mum insisted I had for my new school, that of course, no other girl was wearing....funny, how you remember these things ;)
    Have a great week, Jackie xx

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    1. Hi Catherine,
      I'm a plain girl too ….. although, I have just bought two new tops. One spotty and one stripy …. a bit adventurous for me but they are in dark, muted colours !!
      Know just how you felt in your school uniform !!
      Enjoy the sunshine. XXXX

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  5. Trips to Biba were always a treat - I was a Mod too and have always loved 60's fashion but never entered into the Flower Power route either. Florals are definitely not for me at this stage in my life - I think I'll let the current craze pass me by and concentrate on the spring florals in the garden instead.

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    1. The flower power thing never grabbed me Elaine …. don't know why.
      I loved Biba and went in there as often as could.
      I should hink that you are out in the garden on such a lovely day. XXXX

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  6. Fantastic pictures from the 70's I remember it well, I was never a flower power girl. Maybe the odd subtle floral dress, but being a mere 5ft I had to be careful what a wore. Browsing through the English fashion magazines they remind me of curtain designs. This time around I think I'll certainly give it a miss and leave the flowers for the garden or a vase.

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    1. You're a girl after my own heart Barbara …. I shan't be wearing any flowers either !! XXXX

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  7. I noticed a peeling BIBA label on some exotically named paint in the darkness of the store once, and when I pulled the label back a bit further, it said 'DULUX'.

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    1. Yes …. I remember that Tom ….. still, I guess she had to get her paint from somewhere !
      I loved Biba best when it was in Kensington Church Street. It was never the same when it moved into those HUGE premises of Derry & Toms although it was done so well { apart from the labelling maybe !! } XXXX

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  8. We moved to London in 1972 & I remember my Mum wearing Biba & Laura Ashley! She had a beautiful Laura Ashley cream heavy cotton full length dress with a high collar and long buttoned sleeves just like the image above and over it she wore a full length aubergine pinafore....I can picture her in it, in my head she looked about 6 foot tall with all that fabric although she is only 5'3"!!!

    I think she still has some Biba items, they are absolutely tiny, no chance of me even getting them over my head!!!

    I must tell you, I was up in Muswell Hill about an hour ago escaping my builders & having a coffee in Caffe Nero....when I tried to access your blog, it denied me entry for "p*rnography" reasons!! I was dying to see what you had included in today's post ;) Xx

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    1. Hi Simone,
      Your mum and I obviously liked the same shops !! I had that cream Laura Ashley dress too and, I've still got it !! I have still got a Biba jacket that I can still squeeze into !
      That's weird about the p*rnography ……. they did say that they were going to do that then they retracted it ! I have never had anything remotely porny on my blog !!!!!! Oh well, maybe I'll get more readers !!!! Went to Ally Pally on Sunday …… looked out for you !!!! XXXX

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  9. plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose!!

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  10. Dear Jackie - That perfume line only recently came to the US, and I haven't been to the shops in years, but in your honor, I will wear Bond No. 9 Chelsea Flowers today. We smell gorgeous!

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    1. We shall smell flowery together Carol. I'm quite funny about perfume but this one is really lovely. Not heavy and smells like the back of a florists shop …. crushed stalks, roses, spring water …. lovely. XXXX

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  11. Wonderful post...love how you showed so beautifully the power of flowers through the ages.

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    1. Thank you ……. I do quite like looking back !! XXXX

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  12. JACKIE........YOUR IMAGES ARE STUNNING!OF COURSE, I would wear the floral motif.Just not in the pant version................THAT FRAGRANCE!I MUST HUNT IT DOWN...........as I adore the floral scents.
    BEAUTIFULLY EXECUTED your POST TODAY........as ALWAYS!
    XX

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    1. Dear Elizabeth,
      You really suit florals and look fabulous in them and, do try that fragrance …. it's really subtle and smells like a florists shop. XXXX

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  13. I have to admit I'm just not into floral patterned clothing - for me! Perhaps a little silky scarf to give a bit of pizzazz to my neutrals, a silk rose pinned on my cloche hat, but any other flowers would have to be growing in the garden or cut for a vase! I love meadows full of wildflowers, flower markets, garden centers and my flower beds blooming with roses, hydrangeas, verbena, clematis, and jasmine, moonflowers and morning glories clambering up the front porch etc., but keep them off my clothes! I'm too big and tall to be enveloped in a garden fabric, plus you don't get much repeat wear in something so conspicuous!

    Thanks for the memories of London in the '70's. I'd already left England but visited London often -brother lived in Muswell Hill. Enjoyed wandering along Carnaby Street and seeing the 'flower power' fashions, makeup on those 'English Rose' complexions etc.

    Nice post - makes me realize what goes around always comes around again!
    Happy week - Mary

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  14. Hi Mary,
    Thanks so much for your lovely comment. I'm not one for floral patterned clothing either. I love flowers in the garden, their fragrance and in our home !!
    …. and, as you say, what goes around always comes around again ! XXXX

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  15. Love flowers....They are my life.....happy week love Ria .....x!

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    1. I do too Ria …… Hope things are going well. Thinking of you. XXXX

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  16. Biba - yes! These images bring a sentimental smile. I remember gazing at Twiggy and dreaming...

    Lovely, lovely, lovely.

    Flowers really suited so perfectly then. (Of course, I am just now recalling a brief Laura Ashley phase as well. Hmmmm...

    xo

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  17. Oh how I loved Biba ……. I spent hours in there !!
    and, hmmmmmm indeed about some of those Laura Ashley dresses !! XXXX

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  18. Ciao Jacqueline, carino il tuo post; in Italia io associavo gli abiti a fiori con l'atmosfera di campagna e così non li ho apprezzati; ma ora mi piacciono sì gli abiti con i fiori, ma solo tono su tono!
    Baci da Roma

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    1. Ciao Eleonora, fiori in moda può essere abbastanza, non possono? Penso che mi limiterò a bastone per un foulard floreale !!!!
      Spero che il vostro wather è bello come stiamo avendo qui. Molto amore. XXXX

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  19. LOVE this, Jackie...
    I wish I had been to Biba... so decidedly cool... and I bet you were too... :)
    xv

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    1. Oh my goodness Vicki ….. you would have LOVED it . Teenagers and young women had nothing until Barbara Hulanicki. It really was a wonderful place…. and what was so good was that the likes of The Beatles and their girlfriends, Tha Rolling Stones etc would all be in there along with the likes of little old me !!!! I don't like living in he past but there is really nothing like it now. XXXX

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  20. I love the photographs Jackie; I wore a dress with button up cuffs and huge sleeves, mini and black boots to my brother's 21st in 1964, felt very grown up, such memories. Love the picture of Twiggy too. xxxx

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    1. Hi Rachel,
      I had a dress like that too …. takes you back doesn't it ? I loved Twiggy's look.
      … and don't forget to watch out for the Hattatt's !!!! XXXX

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  21. Fabulous post! I loved the subject!!!

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    1. Me too Penelope ……. there is nothing more beautiful than flowers in all their guises ! XXXX

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  22. Like you, I am not the biggest fan of flowers in interiors or fashion, but oh, how I love them in my home and garden. Love all of your images, but adore the first one!!

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    1. I'm much to old to wear flowery prints !!!! I'll stick to plain clothes and enjoy the real thing ! XXXX

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  23. When I was a little girl (in the 1970s) I thought the height of sophistication was a Laura Ashley sprigged flowered cotton dress - how extraordinary that that became mainstream fashion, in hindsight. This time round, it's so much more sophisticated, but perhaps we still need the romance....

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    1. You can't beat a bit of romance, can you ?!! XXXX

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  24. The big power of flowers ! I love your beautiful invitation !

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  25. Hi Jackie,

    I have always been a flowery girl! I love floral dresses ever since I was a young girl and still find them difficult to resist when I see a beautiful one hanging in store. Especially in summer. I am not so sure about floral trousers though. Definitely not my thing! I like the mod look too. I believe I am sort of a chameleon. Wearing all sorts of styles :-)

    Have a good week!

    Madelief x

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    1. This is perfect for you Madelief …… bright colours and flowers, so Madelief !!
      Florals came back in in the 1980's and I had a pair of turquoise trousers with bright pink roses on them !!!!
      Enjoy your week too ….. I expect you will be gardening { as we are }. XXXX

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  26. Oh my gosh, I remember Biba! I loved this trip down memory lane with all of your wonderful images.

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    1. Thanks ……. I love remembering the Biba era ……. you couldn't keep me out of Biba !! XXXX

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  27. What a fantastic post and how much fun in the comments section too! I love it! Alas, I will let you down though as I am a strictly black, tan, white, denim and gray girl with the clothing...nothing even CLOSE to flower power for me! ;)

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    1. You're not letting me down at all Heather ……. if you open my wardrobe, it's black, black and a bit more black !!!! { maybe the odd piece of grey, burgundy and brown !!! }. XXXX

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  28. Dear Jackie, beautiful post! Makes me dream - Biba - ha, Twiggy - ha! (She kept very well). And florals: as you say: I was also never much into them (though last summer I bought a beautiful simple Armani etui-dress - dark ground, and a few (Japonese-inspired) cherry (or plum) boughs with blossoms -- such a lovely thing, and everybody comments on it.

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    1. Hi Britta,
      Twiggy still looks lovely, doesn't she ? Your Armani dress sounds lovely …… and, as much as I wear black nearly all of the time, I do pop a bit of colour in sometimes !! XXXX

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  29. wow!!! love your pictures!!! angie

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  30. Hello Jackie,
    You have taken us on a wonderful trip down memory lane.

    I can just imagine you at Biba turning the heads of rock stars snd I bet you wore high heeled platform metalica shoe. I remember being in London in 1972 where I purchased pale pink metallic platforms with heels that were extremely high. On return to Canada, Customs searched my suitcase and the cheeky official said " I see Miss Glynn likes to dance".
    I wore flowers in my hair.
    A

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    1. It sounds as if you really embraced the 70's Helen, much like myself ! I have to say that I LOVED Biba …… I even remember the smell of the shop !! XXXX

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  31. I was quite a Biba girl myself, back then...I will admit that i also wore Laura ashley pretty shirts and dresses..

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  32. Biba was my favourite Francine but, I have to admit that I wore Laura Ashley dresses too ….. in fact I still have three from the late 70's, early 80's !! XXXX

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  33. Jackie, i'll have to sniff that one out. I worked in a flower shop for 8 years.
    Enjoy this wonderful Tuesday.
    It's thawing out in Maine.
    yvonne

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    1. You will definitely love that perfume Yvonne ….. it smells like a flower shop. Glad to hear that the weather is warming up !!! XXXX

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  34. So enamored am I of flowers that when I spy a floral frock I have learned to ask myself, "Now think, do you want to wear it, or upholster a chair in it?". I rather think I look better wearing a one-colour dress, but carrying a riotous, gargantuan bouquet. xo

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    1. You are so right Pamela ……. for me, florals on a dress just don't suit me. XXXX

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  35. Ah but will you be wearing the flares?
    I went out with a friend last night and she was wearing a lovely floral dress. I was more leopard print tunic and leggings. I think I need to buy into the floral without looking frumpy which is a danger at ffffffffy

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  36. i'm not a floral print person either.
    i like geometrics and solids.
    great post.

    luv u

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  37. Hi Jackie, I was a Mod as well, those Rockers were too rough and leathery for me. I loved Twiggy but I always wanted to look like Jean Shrimpton....some hope ;) Although I remember doing my eyelashes like Twigg's did hers. I've quite taken to the floral style, I wasn't much into it back then though. I adore flowers everywhere, and I'm very lucky my husband buys me bunches whenever he goes to the shops. But I wish wish my garden was tidy alas my digging days are over. ;(

    Hugs dear Jackie,
    Jane x

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  38. I love floral motives, they are so fresh and make the entire look so bright. I saw some pretty dresses and bag and I'm thinking to buy something for the spring and summer.

    Floor cleaners Battersea

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  39. Wouldn't it be fun to wear all of these, even for a moment. I'm a floral girl so you can be sure it would be for longer than a minute! How I love your posts Jackie!!!!! I loved bendy (and no, I'm not)!
    much love....

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