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Post by nycgirl on Jun 19, 2013 3:57:17 GMT
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Post by bixaorellana on Jun 19, 2013 4:17:18 GMT
Found you instantly ~~ SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO pretty!
Can't wait to see your report.
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Post by nycgirl on Jun 20, 2013 0:46:35 GMT
Thanks!
I didn't realize Baz Luhrmann was there the same day I was.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 20, 2013 0:53:25 GMT
Scouting for The Great Gatsby 2?
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Post by nycgirl on Jun 24, 2013 18:55:48 GMT
After having a great time last year, I once again attended the Jazz Age Lawn Party on Govenor's Island. Flappers and gents turned out in droves to picnic, imbibe, dance, and, of course, show off their outfits. It's my favorite people-watching NYC event. I hopped on the free ferry and took in the iconic views. Govenor's Island is a pleasant place to bicycle, take in outdoor art, or just roam around. Today, though, I followed the vintage-clothed crowd. This looks like the right place. This girl got a lot of attention for her sartorial homage to Josephine Baker. There was a group dance lesson that I considered joining, but I opted to take photos of the participants instead. Most of the ladies wore very glamorous and super-feminine ensembles. This one, though, went for a jaunty menswear look and pulled it off nicely. Between the fashion and the period jazz music playing, the lawn party was like stepping into a time machine. Some 21st century incursions were still seen, though. I saw some bold choices of color... ... patterns... ... and accessories. Parasols were popular.
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Post by htmb on Jun 24, 2013 19:21:49 GMT
Oh, wow, nycgirl. I'm enjoying this! Nice pics, and such interesting costumes. I love the parasols. Your last picture is especially nice.
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Post by mich64 on Jun 24, 2013 19:29:27 GMT
Oh this must have been so much fun! Your entertainment was every where you looked. I loved the pose of the lady wearing the menswear, I am pretty sure she must be a professional jazz dancer but the leg and hand positioning. I enjoyed looking at all the details from the hats down to the shoes!
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Post by mossie on Jun 24, 2013 20:09:14 GMT
That is a super event, and people have really made an effort to be in period. Josephine Baker was almost correct but missing, or should I say, had added, an unwanted detail. Lovely set of photos all the same.
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Post by nycgirl on Jun 24, 2013 23:23:26 GMT
Josephine Baker was almost correct but missing, or should I say, had added, an unwanted detail. Yes, I don't think she'd be allowed in public if she wore an 100% authentic recreation of a certain Josephine Baker costume.
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Post by bixaorellana on Jun 25, 2013 2:22:08 GMT
Sooper-dooper report, NYCGirl! I love the way you started it, especially that 2nd boat shot. Everyone looks as though they're having so much fun & that they took pains to recreate the era. Some 21st century incursions were still seen, though. The one incursion from a later time that bothers me are the women's shoes, none of which should be flats. Sheesh, even gardening books from the 20s & 30s show the ladies delving & planting in heels. "Josephine's" bodice works for the period, but the shoes break the illusion. The menswear woman chose well, though. Look at the picture below her: the girl on the right looks perfect because her shoes are so totally correct. My favorite shoes in this report are on the woman in the purple dress & red cloche, 2nd dance class picture, although there are some other good ones in that photo. Favorites so far (because there will be more, right? ): The natty man & his bicycle, Josephine (major points for moxie), the woman in knickerbockers & the man next to her, the couple in the forefront of the last dance picture, and the girl with the lace dress, navy blue hat & fuchsia parasol.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 25, 2013 5:04:42 GMT
I hope it never rains during this kind of event!
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Post by mossie on Jun 25, 2013 7:05:35 GMT
Josephine Baker was almost correct but missing, or should I say, had added, an unwanted detail. Yes, I don't think she'd be allowed in public if she wore an 100% authentic recreation of a certain Josephine Baker costume. Hope springs eternal
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Post by nycgirl on Jun 25, 2013 14:22:38 GMT
Bixa, we're on the same page and I'll have you know I made a full commitment to wearing heels. I switched to flats on the subway ride back home, once the spell was broken. Yes, JB girl gets points for originality and confidence. She was a good dancer, too. (Unfortunately, most of the dance photos I took are junk. I haven't learned to capture motion well.) I agree, the woman in the red cloche was well put-together from head to toe. I think I recognized the man with the bike from last year, he looked as dapper as he did then. I also liked the menswear look with the added feminine touches, and the demure white lace dress. I hope it never rains during this kind of event! They have alternate dates scheduled in case of rain. On this day the clouds were gathering but fortunately the rain held off.
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Post by nycgirl on Jun 25, 2013 16:21:27 GMT
People were very happy to pose, either for my benefit or for each other. I spotted a familiar face from last year. A few people asked for my photo as well. Here I cozied up to some new acquaintances. (Regrettably, though, the nice guy taking the picture cut off our shoes.) Families with young children enjoyed themselves. The event was also a great place to bring a date. A few more pics... It's funny, I didn't notice anything unusual about this hat until I zoomed in on the photo later. The party was even more crowded than last year, probably due, in part, to the release of The Great Gatsby film. As I said before, director Baz Luhrmann was in attendance. I combed through my photos to see if I had unwittingly took a picture of him but, alas, I did not. No sign of Leonardo diCaprio, either (of course). Despite the increased popularity, the atmosphere was as inviting and convivial as ever. It was a see-and-be-seen event but without any pretension or snobbery. Everyone was just happy to be there. I hopped on the ferry and said goodbye to the Jazz Age, until next time.
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Post by htmb on Jun 25, 2013 16:35:05 GMT
What fun! I got the feeling a lot of those folks were practiced posers. Your photos are wonderful, and you looked fantastic, as well! Wouldn't expect anything less.
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Post by mossie on Jun 25, 2013 18:29:53 GMT
It is so nice to see people joining in and having fun
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Post by Deleted on Jun 25, 2013 19:10:09 GMT
Since Hollywood has put so many wrong ideas in our heads, I was wondering if high heels at such an event might be an anachronism. My research showed that they already existed, but I did not find out if they were a common article or not. Old family photos would seem to indicate that "semi high heels" were considered appropriate for fancy dress, but there was no trace of stilettos (or just even shoes that tall) anywhere.
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Post by bixaorellana on Jun 25, 2013 19:53:04 GMT
Kerouac, "heels" in womanspeak means shoes that aren't flats. The Twenties [context] + heels [footwear] + authentic [theme of comment] = That said, you are so right that very high heels &/or stilettos would be out of place there. More great pictures, NYCGirl! I love how so many people didn't just show off their outfits when posing, but also channeled a 20s spirit. An alarmed question: is that redhead in pic #6, Reply 13 giving birth to twins?! How many people told you that you had the best dress there? The girl next to you looks fabulous, as well, in her shimmery fringe. More favorites ~~ the "familiar face", the white-clad red wine drinker, and the absolutely perfect crushed velvet woman in the next photo.
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Post by htmb on Jun 25, 2013 20:05:16 GMT
An alarmed question: is that redhead in pic #6, Reply 13 giving birth to twins?!
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That threw me for a loop, bixa. I had to go look at the picture again. What IS going on?
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Post by fumobici on Jun 25, 2013 22:06:43 GMT
Maybe it's my being too hetero or just stylistic differences but to me most of the women in this report look wonderful and most of the men look like posh nobs. But no matter, terrific report nyc, looks like a great time.
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Post by lugg on Jun 26, 2013 5:47:33 GMT
What a fun report , thank you. Loved looking at the costumes, some of the dresses are stunning.
...or has she got extremely hairy knees?
I must say you look very lovely. Your dress is fab.
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Post by komsomol on Jun 26, 2013 20:30:34 GMT
Looks like a fun event. Do any other cities do it?
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Post by mossie on Jun 27, 2013 7:13:18 GMT
On a second reading it struck me how much more attractive the ladies look in those costumes
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Post by fumobici on Jun 27, 2013 14:36:01 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jun 27, 2013 18:09:22 GMT
Super cool report NYCgirl!!! Great costumes and everyone looks to be having a splendid time. And, so natural looking and at ease in their garb. There's a particular phenomena that occurs when people gather together in costumes, (as in Mardi Gras here) and, assume a natural comfortableness with themselves. And, curiously enough, no two look alike, very original. I also happen to really like the style and fashion of that particular era, especially the women's clothing and look. Thanks for this!!! Was the music live?
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Post by Deleted on Jun 27, 2013 21:35:22 GMT
I confess that I am wondering about why this era is still so popular. Is is because it was the time in the past when women wore the most revealing clothes?
I suppose we'd have to go back about 5000 years to find a time when men were more revealed.
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Post by bixaorellana on Jun 28, 2013 1:32:00 GMT
5000 years? Hardly. The codpiece was a fairly revealing part of men's attire in the 15th & 16th century. But tights & short skirts had revealed men from the 14th century through well into the 16th century. I've wondered the same thing, though, about why that one decade continues to capture the imagination. Was it because so many entrenched mores and conventions were overthrown after the horrors or WWI? It was a heated time for creative people, so many of whom became famous. The movie Midnight in Paris captures some of the romantic gloss of the period. As far as the clothing, I think the devil-may-care, kick over the traces attitude of the period is reflected in the clothing, giving it a spirit of fun and self-expression.
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Post by nycgirl on Jun 28, 2013 4:25:52 GMT
Looks like a fun event. Do any other cities do it? Not that I know of. They should! An alarmed question: is that redhead in pic #6, Reply 13 giving birth to twins?! How many people told you that you had the best dress there? The girl next to you looks fabulous, as well, in her shimmery fringe. More favorites ~~ the "familiar face", the white-clad red wine drinker, and the absolutely perfect crushed velvet woman in the next photo. They were pretty funny, but I was more surprised by the girl in the photo below who was carrying her friend using only her ass. I thought those girls really nailed it. Yes, the band was great and really helped set the mood. When the musicians were on break they played music from old gramophones.
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Post by nycgirl on Jun 28, 2013 4:47:42 GMT
I confess that I am wondering about why this era is still so popular. Is is because it was the time in the past when women wore the most revealing clothes? It was a very free-spirited and "naughty" time. People drank despite Prohibition, whites fraternized with blacks (sometimes), women smoked in public, hung out in bars, and wore short skirts or, perhaps even more daringly, pants. As Bixa said, there was a huge outpouring of creativity and stars were born. The fact that the Great Depression ended the fun and games and the public reverted to a much more restrained lifestyle in the subsequent decades makes the Roaring '20s even more alluring.
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Post by lola on Jun 28, 2013 21:19:23 GMT
One great image after another. I love your costume, nycg!
The Josephine Baker is adorable, too. I especially like the couple dancing just above the menswear gal. It makes me happy to look at them.
So grateful that you took us there again. I'm glad you have the discipline to include the entire foot in your shots; an important but difficult touch to pull off somehow.
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