Jane Birkin: The Eternal Muse of French Chic

Jane Birkin (1946–2023) was a quintessential icon of the 1960s and ’70s, whose effortless blend of British “cool” and French “chic” redefined global style.

Born in London but adopted by Paris, Birkin became a sensation through her artistic and personal partnership with Serge Gainsbourg, most notably on the provocative duet “Je t’aime... moi non plus.” Beyond her breathy vocals and her roles in cult films like Blow-Up and La Piscine, her influence on fashion remains unparalleled, her name is forever linked to the legendary Hermès Birkin bag, which was famously designed after a chance encounter on an airplane.

With her signature bangs, basket bags, and bohemian spirit, Jane Birkin embodied a timeless, “undone” elegance that continues to inspire designers and muses across the world today. Take a look at these vintage photos to see portraits of a young Jane Birkin in the 1960s and 1970s.

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The 1950 Jaguar Mark V: A Masterpiece of British Post-War Luxury

The 1950 Jaguar Mark V Drophead Coupe stands as one of the most elegant expressions of post-war British luxury, seamlessly blending pre-war traditional styling with refined engineering.

Released during a pivotal transition for Jaguar, the Mark V featured the iconic upright chrome grille and separate headlamps that echoed the classic era, yet it was the first Jaguar to utilize an independent front suspension and hydraulic brakes. The Drophead Coupe (DHC) variant was particularly prized for its sophisticated three-position soft top, which could be fully closed, fully retracted, or kept in the “de ville” position for a semi-open driving experience.

With its sweeping fenders, opulent leather interior, and polished walnut dashboard, the Mark V DHC remains a quintessential collector’s piece, embodying the grace and “stiff upper lip” sophistication of early 1950s motoring.

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40 Amazing Portraits of Alice Cooper in the 1970s

Alice Cooper (born Vincent Damon Furnier; February 4, 1948) is an American singer and songwriter. With a career spanning more than five decades, Cooper is known for his raspy singing voice and theatrical stage shows that feature numerous props and illusions. He is considered by music journalists and peers to be “The Godfather of Shock Rock.”

Before he was a solo artist, Alice Cooper was the name of a five-piece band consisting of Vince Furnier (vocals), Glen Buxton, Michael Bruce, Dennis Dunaway, and Neal Smith. After moving to Detroit, they found success with the 1971 hit “I’m Eighteen” and the 1972 anthem “School’s Out.” Their 1973 album Billion Dollar Babies hit #1 in both the US and UK, featuring a tour that broke box-office records previously held by the Rolling Stones. Their live shows became legendary for featuring guillotines, electric chairs, fake blood, and live boa constrictors.

The original band split in 1975, and lead singer Vince Furnier legally changed his name to Alice Cooper to launch a solo career. Landmark concept album Welcome to My Nightmare (1975) and its massive stage production solidified his status as a theatrical icon. Later in the decade, Cooper experimented with softer, more mainstream ballads like “Only Women Bleed” and “You and Me.” By the late 1970s, Cooper’s heavy alcoholism led to his hospitalization, an experience he chronicled in the 1978 album From the Inside.

Cooper became a household name, making surreal guest appearances on TV shows like The Muppet Show and The Snoop Sisters. The original band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2011 for their 1970s contributions.

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Two American Businessmen Destroy a Japanese-Made Car, 1982

This image captures a 1982 protest event in northern Indiana where two businessmen, Jim Coleman and Charlie Cobb, publicly smashed a Japanese-made car to protest the influx of Japanese imports and the resulting economic hardship for American auto workers.

The event was a charity fundraiser sponsored by local steelworkers’ union leaders. For a dollar per swing, attendees could take a turn hitting the car with a sledgehammer. The money raised was then used to help the families of laid-off workers in the economically hard-hit steelmaking region. The signs for “Radio Shack” and “Hoosier State Bank” visible in the background indicate the local setting where the event took place.

Jackie Stoloff: The Quintessential Muse of 1950s High Fashion

Jacqueline “Jackie” Stoloff was a celebrated model in the high-fashion world of the late 1940s and early ’50s, epitomizing the era’s transition from post-war elegance to the spirited “Youthquake” movement.

Renowned for her striking bone structure and effortless poise, Stoloff was a frequent presence in the pages of Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar, often working with legendary photographers such as Richard Avedon, Georges Saad and Philippe Pottier. She was more than just a model, she was considered a muse who could embody both the sophisticated “New Look” couture and the emerging, more relaxed styles of mid-century modernism.

Her ability to project a sense of quiet intelligence and refined grace made her one of the most sought-after faces of her generation, leaving an indelible mark on the visual history of 20th-century fashion.

Jackie Stoloff wearing feathered hat by Jacques Fath, photo by Willy Maywald, 1950

Jackie Stoloff wearing wide brimmed black horsehair hat broken by four cross folds evoking a windmill by Caroline Reboux, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1950

Jackie Stoloff in a finely tailored coat-dress by Jacques Fath, photo by Seeberger, Vogue, Paris, November 1950

Jackie Stoloff in black silk crêpe dress printed with large blue butterflies, by Jeanne Paquin, photo by Georges Saad, 1950

Jackie Stoloff in black-and-green pin-checked dress worn nunder a belted tunic jacket by Jean Dessès, photo by Jean Moral, Paris, Harper's Bazaar UK, October 1950

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Key-Book Portraits of Ida Lupino for Use in Promotion of Her Second Film for Paramount, “Come On Marines!” (1934)

In the 1934 pre-Code comedy-adventure Come On, Marines!, 16-year-old Ida Lupino plays the female lead, Esther Smith-Hamilton. The film follows a squad of Marines who are sent into the Philippine jungle to rescue a group of shipwrecked “children,” only to discover they are actually a troop of beautiful young women.

Lupino portrays Esther, the leader of the shipwrecked “beauty chorus.” At this stage in her career, Paramount marketed Lupino as “The English Jean Harlow.” In this film, she sports a platinum blonde coiffure and elegant attire that stays surprisingly pristine despite the jungle setting. She plays the primary romantic interest for Richard Arlen's character, Sergeant “Lucky” Davis, who is tasked with her rescue.

While the Marines are depicted in muddy, wet clothes, Lupino and the other women remain “elegantly dressed and beautifully coiffured” throughout their jungle ordeal. The film features other notable “beauties,” including a very young Ann Sheridan (credited as Clara Lou Sheridan) and Toby Wing. The jungle scenes were shot on the Paramount lot in a studio tank replicated to look like a swamp, as well as at Sherwood Lake.

Come On, Marines! isn’t remembered as a classic, but it’s important in Lupino’s arc: a young British-born actress learning how Hollywood works, long before she’d rebel against it by becoming one of the first major female directors in American film history.

40 Amazing Photos Capture Boston Streets in the Winter of 1960

American photographer Nick DeWolf took these amazing photos which offers a nostalgic journey back to the winter of 1960, capturing the grit and grandeur of Boston’s streets under a heavy blanket of snow.

From the elegant, slush-covered brownstones of the Back Bay to the bustling, frost-nipped corners of Downtown Crossing, these images preserve a frozen moment in New England history. You’ll see vintage sedans navigating icy thoroughfares, residents bundled in classic mid-century wool coats, and the quiet, ethereal beauty of the Public Garden in white.

Whether it’s the glow of streetlights reflecting off frozen puddles or the towering snowbanks lining the curbs, these photographs serve as a poignant time capsule of a city defined by its resilience and timeless winter charm.

Anderson Street, Beacon Hill, Boston, 1960

Acorn Street, Beacon Hill, Boston, 1960

Alley, Beacon Hill, Boston, 1960

Beacon Street, Beacon Hill, Boston, 1960

Beacon Street, Beacon Hill, Boston, 1960

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