Though pompadours run thickly in my blood — my father and many varied relations wear their honor high, proud and incandescently gelled — I’ve never truly embraced the rockabilly oeuvre. I’ve dabbled, if that implies anything: I can’t deny my love of Beatle boots, leather jackets and rhythm and blues via LP.
But I’m getting ahead of myself, as rockabilly is just the style descendant of being a rocker (when it still meant something transgressive). The nuanced beginnings of this milieu only became clear to me upon reading Nell Dunn’s Up the Junction, a raw portrait of working class London of the 1960s — from a female point of view.
Though Dunn’s sassy cast of characters earned small duckets wrapping candies at the sticky, demeaning confections factory, they made up for it by living large once night fell. With beehives teased and pan-cake makeup pounded, every factory worker was a sex kitten looking for a grind at the local pub come 5 o’clock. Youth was a time for motorcycles, showing your assets in a nicked skirt and seductive wails on the jukebox through a smoky sex haze — while avoiding the seeming inevitability of going “up the junction” (i.e. gettin’ pregs). Who can resist the siren’s call of no responsibilities and massive amounts of eyeliner? Sounds pretty damn appealing to me.
Is there anything sexier than cigs and skintight skirts? Crystal Renn makes this editorial pop. I’m already thinking about how to channel my pomp roots…
[Editorial photographed by Carter Smith. Via Rackk and Ruin]
No related posts.
Crystal Renn is amazing! Curves in the right places and oodles of confidence = massive sex appeal. In that way where your imagination has to fill in the blanks.
I totally want her ‘do! If only I could get my hair to do that…
This is all the more stunning because it features Crystal Renn — gorgeous! I’m excited about your new blog; I’ve been reading you on Etsy for quite some time.
Cheers!
Tara
http://nothing-elegant.blogspot.com
Holy smokes! A TEENANGSTER blog! yes, yes, yes.
omg… LOVE these images! These handsome devils remind me of my dad in the late 60′s… the hair! (He has lost most of it now – but he’s still got a killer smile and contagious laugh.)
the girls hair in the second pic is a must have! those chaps are pretty dapper too…
Your photos are awesome. When I was a little girl my grandfather used to take me to Coney Island. It was a few decades after your photos, but people still dressed like that for fun.
xoSherry
This is amazing! I love Crystal Renn. I also love your new blog. HOT.
Oh my gosh, these photos are AMAZING. Thanks for posting them!
As if I wasn’t having a hot enough rockabilly minute on my own — you’ve stoked the fires! SO so thrilled you’re finally blogging for you, can’t wait to see what you’re obsessing over next.
This is one sexy post. I’m so happy you’ve started your own personal blog. I can’t wait to see what comes next!
oh, god. those photos are dreamy.
Hi Alison, great post! I love the photos
