Sandy Brown: A Timeless Icon of Vintage Fashion

Sandy Brown was a prominent fashion model during the mid-20th century, epitomizing the elegance and sophisticated charm of the post-war era. Known for her classic features and poise, she was a frequent face in high-fashion magazines such as Life, Vogue, and Harper’s Bazaar, as well as advertisements throughout the 1950s and ’60s.

Brown worked with some of the most renowned photographers of her time, including Lillian Bassman, Milton Greene, Richard Avedon, and Nina Leen, contributing to the iconic visual language of vintage couture. Whether showcasing elaborate evening gowns or chic daywear, her ability to project both grace and modern confidence made her a standout figure in the competitive world of international modeling.

Take a look at these glamorous photos to see the exquisite fashion portraits of Sandy Brown in the 1950s.

Sandy Brown in dress by Elsa Schiaparelli, photo by Genevieve Naylor, 1950

Sandy Brown in poppy-red dress patterned with polka dots, photo by Karen Radkai, Harper's Bazaar UK, April 1950

Sandy Brown (foreground) in white nylon tulle ballet-length dress with overskirt by Will Steinman, model in back in pale pink tulle dress with roses by Nona, photo by Gleb Derujisnky, Junior Bazaar, November 1951

Sandy Brown in a clear blonde Hollander-dyed nutria jacket by Fredrica, jewelry by Hattie Carnegie, photo by Richard Avedon, Harper's Bazaar, August 1951

Sandy Brown in cocktail-skirt of herringbone tweed lined in taffeta by Carolyn Schnurer, photo by Nina Leen, September 1951

See more»

The Best Portraits of Brian Jones

Brian Jones (1942–1969) was the founder and original leader of The Rolling Stones. An English multi-instrumentalist, he was the person who actually gave the band its name and recruited the initial members in 1962. He was a gifted musician who introduced exotic instruments like the sitar (featured on “Paint It, Black”), the marimba (“Under My Thumb”), and the recorder (“Ruby Tuesday”) to the band’s sound.

Though he was the initial leader, he was eventually overshadowed by the songwriting partnership of Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, especially after they became a successful songwriting team.

Struggles with drug and alcohol abuse led to his dismissal from the band in June 1969. Less than a month later, at age 27, he was found dead at the bottom of his swimming pool. His death made him one of the first members of the infamous 27 Club, a group of influential musicians who died at that specific age. In 1989, Brian Jones was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the Rolling Stones.

See more»

Vintage Portraits of Joan Collins During the Filming of “Seven Thieves” (1960)

Released in 1960, Seven Thieves is a classic heist noir that stands as a masterclass in tension and character-driven storytelling. Directed by Henry Hathaway, the film follows an aging criminal mastermind, played by Edward G. Robinson, who assembles a diverse team of specialists to pull off an "impossible" robbery of the underground vault at the Monte Carlo Casino. Unlike many modern high-octane action films, Seven Thieves thrives on its meticulous pacing, atmospheric black-and-white cinematography, and the psychological weight of the stakes involved.

The film is particularly noted for its stellar ensemble cast, including Rod Steiger as the cynical son and Joan Collins as the seductive dancer who provides the necessary distraction. The heist sequence itself is a masterstroke of 1960s filmmaking, emphasizing silence, precision, and the mounting dread that even the most perfect plan can be undone by human emotion.

The film remains a sophisticated entry in the caper genre, blending the glamour of the French Riviera with the gritty desperation of men looking for one last score. Take a look at these vintage photos to see portraits of Joan Collins during the filming of Seven Thieves.

See more»

20 Stunning Photos of a Very Young and Beautiful Joan Bennett in the late 1920s

Joan Geraldine Bennett (February 27, 1910 – December 7, 1990) was an American stage, film, and television actress, one of three acting sisters from a show-business family. Beginning her career on the stage, Bennett appeared in more than 70 films from the era of silent films, well into the sound era. In the late 1920s, Joan Bennett was a rising star in both theater and film, transitioning from a stage ingénue to a Hollywood leading lady. Unlike the dark-haired “femme fatale” image she later became famous for in the 1940s, she began her career as a natural blonde often cast in sweet, youthful roles.

At age 18, Bennett made her professional Broadway debut in the play Jarnegan (1928), performing alongside her father, Richard Bennett. She became a movie star almost overnight in 1929 with two major roles. Her first significant film role in Bulldog Drummond (1929), playing Phyllis Benton opposite Ronald Colman. She played Lady Clarissa Pevensey in Disraeli (1929), opposite George Arliss.

Before she famously dyed her hair chestnut brown for Trade Winds (1938), Bennett was one of Hollywood’s most promising young blonde starlets. Her look in the late 1920s often styled in finger waves or soft curls typical of the flapper era. She frequently wore dropped-waist dresses, pearls, and cloche hats. Even as a teenager, she possessed a distinctive, cultured speaking voice that helped her transition easily from silent films to “talkies.”

Joan was part of the famous Bennett acting dynasty. While her older sister Constance Bennett was already an established, high-paid star known for playing sophisticated society women, Joan was initially marketed as the “magnolia-drenched” younger sister, specializing in pert, poised ingénue roles. During this period, she was already a young mother. Having married at 16 and divorced by 18, she reportedly entered the film industry out of a “necessity” to support herself and her daughter.

Unlike many silent film stars whose careers withered with the arrival of microphones, Joan thrived. Her stage background (coming from the “Theatrical Bennetts” dynasty) gave her a technical advantage. By 1929, she was under contract with Fox and was being groomed as a major star, representing the refined, “classy” side of the Roaring Twenties.

See more»

Rare Ambrotype Portraits of Japanese People From the Late 19th Century

In the late 19th century, as Japan navigated the transformative Meiji Era, the ambrotype, known locally as garasu-shashin (glass photos), became a cherished medium for capturing the nation’s changing identity. Unlike the fleeting paper prints of the time, these underexposed glass negatives, backed with black material to create a positive image, offered a hauntingly sharp and ethereal depth.

Sourced from tokyogaz, these portraits are remarkable for their cultural synthesis, they often depict subjects in a state of flux. Typically encased in custom-carved Kiri-wood (Paulownia) boxes, these ambrotypes were treated not merely as photographs, but as sacred family talismans, preserving the stoic dignity and quiet grace of a society standing on the threshold of the modern world.

Ambrotype in pawlonia wood case. Father and son in kimono and tabi, January 2, 1882

Ambrotype of 3-year-old boy named Sawa Genzo

Ambrotype of a 19-year-old man, April 8, 1888

Ambrotype of Japanese gentleman named Suzuki Gohei in kimono, 1898

Ambrotype of three men seated at a table, upon which there is a stack of books. One of the men has a 'chon-mage' or top-knot

See more»

Portraits of Elizabeth Taylor as Cleopatra Taken by Philippe Le Tellier, 1962

In 1962, French photographer Philippe Le Tellier captured iconic behind the scenes portraits of Elizabeth Taylor on the set of Cleopatra at Cinecittà studios in Rome. His photographs are notable for showing the actress in her elaborate regal costumes while highlighting her relaxed and human side during the film's famously high-pressure production. 

The photos were taken primarily in March 1962 during the Roman phase of filming. His work often features Taylor in her iconic blue crown or golden headdress, showcasing the Academy Award-winning costume design. These images remain essential pieces of film history, depicting Taylor at the peak of her “screen goddess” status amidst the extravagance and scandal that defined the production.

Vintage Cover Photos of ABC Film Review Magazine in the 1950s

First published in 1950, ABC Film Review (later known simply as Film Review) was a cornerstone of British cinema culture for over half a century.

Originally created as a promotional magazine for the Associated British Cinemas (ABC) circuit, it quickly transcended its marketing roots to become the UK’s longest-running film publication. For generations of moviegoers, the magazine was an essential companion to the silver screen, famous for its glossy star portraits, behind-the-scenes features, and its comprehensive “descriptive reviews” that helped shape public taste.

By capturing the transition from the Golden Age of Hollywood to the blockbuster era, ABC Film Review served as a vivid historical archive of changing cinematic trends and celebrity fandom. Even as digital media eventually took over, the magazine’s legacy remains a nostalgic symbol of a time when the magic of the movies was first captured on the printed page, making it a prized collectible for cinephiles and historians today.

Below is a collection of ABC Film Review magazine covers from the 1950s.

ABC Film Review magazine first cover, 1950

ABC Film Review magazine cover, 1950

ABC Film Review magazine cover, March 1951

ABC Film Review magazine cover, April 1952

ABC Film Review magazine cover, August 1952

See more»