Rockabilly Workshop Part IV: Hell Kittens vs Circle Skirts

[www.VintageGrace.com]

Welcome to Part IV of the Rockabilly Workshop

Today we will be looking at Women's Rockabilly Fashions, or what I like to call:

[align=center]Hell Kittens vs. Circle Skirts[/align]

I have invited one the most beautiful and famous women of the 1950s to assist me in this workshop, Miss Bettie Page.

[align=center]

Courtesy of www.artie.com[/align]

Bettie is here because she represents all aspects of a woman. She was stunningly beautiful and could take her looks to become the ultimate temptress or the simple girl next door. Bettie is the first to admit her amazement over the attention she garnered. She never saw herself as an icon. Rather she was just always being herself.

Perhaps that is why the world still adores her.

[align=center] "I never kept up with the fashions. I believed in wearing what I thought looked good on me."
~Bettie Page[/align]

So, sit back and relax as Bettie takes you on a fashion show that will show you the contrasting differences between the Rockabilly Hell Kitten and the Rockabilly Girl Next Door!

[align=center]In everyday life Bettie was simply the girl next door.

In Bettie's other world, she was a ravishing temptress.

Sometimes she was almost the girl next door...

Sometimes she was almost the Hell Kitten...

Bettie's swimsuits, which she often made herself, also ran the gamut from demure...

...to total bombshell

Bettie was pure sugar and spice

...to pure fire

A very big part of the Rockabilly look are Leopard Prints and no one looked better in leopard than Bettie...

Unless, of course, it's our own Sandra aka Debutante Clothing

So many times, Bettie could be both sweet and alluring - much like Rockabilly fashion itself.

"[Jerry Tibbs was] the one who got me wearing bangs. For years I had my hair parted down the middle in a ponytail, tucked down around the sides. But he said to me, 'Bettie, you've got a very high forehead. I think you'd look good if you cut some bangs to cover it.' Well, I went and cut the bangs, and I've been wearing them ever since. They say it's my trademark." ~Bettie Page

Bettie Page was all American girl.

Bettie Page was the all American woman.

To learn more about the life of Bettie Page, click on the photos below to visit the official Bettie Page website.
<a href="http://www.bettiepage.com"><img src="http://www.bettiepage.com/images/banners/125x125_banner1.gif" width="125" height="125" border="1"></a>
[/align]

 

[Patentleathershoes]

Holey Moley Maureen....this is DROP DEAD FANTASTIC!!!

I want to get rid of all my clothes that don't look as fabulous as this and buy all new stuff!! I want a whole new wardrobe!!

And WOOHOO Sandra, quite the fashion plate!!

 

[alonesolo]

This is a great presentation

Thank you for that! I loved it!

 

[bartondoll]

Maureen, please thank your 'special guest'......found it fascinating! And I love seeing all the different examples of clothing that is offered.

Wonderful presentation!

Sue

 

[artizania]

Brilliant!! Well Done!

 

[route66gal]

:drool:
:love008:

Excellent presentation, Maureen! I think Bettie is such the perfect example - what bad girl clothes can do to a good girl :D Dressing well is truly an art.

Did you see that show - I think it was along the lines of an E True Hollywood Story or something - about Bettie? They build up that they have an exclusive interview with her - and then when they got to it at the end, she was in silhouette. She said she wanted for people to remember her the way she was - fair enough, I guess! She truly has had a fascinating life. One day she just up and disappeared from the whole thing, feeling guilty about what she was doing, and turned to religion. Apparently, too, she had no clue for a long time that a whole new generation idolized her in the 80s and 90s. She's fascinating.

-Melanie

 

[dibs2002]

 

[gaildavid]

Adding my clapping hands. Bravo!!



Thank you, Maureen.... and Bettie!

Gail

 

[www.VintageGrace.com]

Thank you all for your kind comments!

I did see that show Melanie. Yes, she refuses to be photographed now. I think that just continues the mystery and intrigue about her.

I wonder when they will make a feature film about her life?? Wouldn't that be fantastic! Just don't cast Demi Moore in the role!! UGH!! I think they would need to go with an unknown actress.

~M

 

[Patentleathershoes]

They build up that they have an exclusive interview with her

That is so interesting. It is Garbo-esque in a way. But instead of being a recluse, she has a whole different life. I wonder if people around her knew that she was THE Bettie Page. Is she still alive?

 

[route66gal]

Yes, last I heard, she's still alive. I read about this movie starring Gretchen Mol as Bettie. They have pictures of Gretchen playing her here.

I have a book my husband gave me as a gift a few years ago that is really a downer - I'm not sure why he got it, as it's called "The Real Bettie Page: The Truth About the Queen of Pinups". It talks about things that she never wanted to be known, but the guy who wrote it dug around in public records and found some really disturbing stuff about her during the 80s and early 90s. Anyway, thought I'd throw it out there that maybe you'd want to pass on this book if you'd like to remember her the way she was.

-Melanie

 

[Patentleathershoes]

Someone somewhere who was a part of some forum was working in some capacity on the Bettie Page movie. Goshdarnit, for the life of me I don't remember who or where! Wasn't it for HBO?

At any rate, I love all the different personas of 50s ladies fashion. I have only just discovered that it works on me better than a lot of other era and now just can't get enough of it.

 

[vintagecurves]

Awesome job!
I love how you showed the huge range from good to bad girl and everything in between.
Bettie Page actually has been photographed recently, having appeared at two different playboy parties.
<a href=http://thebettiepage.com/archives/2003/08/14/bettie_page_at_age_80.html">
"Here at Hugh Heffner's birthday bash</a>
<a href="http://thebettiepage.com/archives/2003/08/14/bettie_at_playboy_50th.html">At Playboy's 50th Anniversary party</a>
I say she's lookin' great

 

[materialmemories]

Maureen,
First, THANK-YOU for such a LOVING TRIBUTE to ONE of MY FAVORITES!!!
Bettie is a TRUE PIONEER and ONE OF A KIND!!

You showed, VERY CLEVERLY I might add, through Bettie's photos, ALL SIDES of what I believe ALL WOMEN are a MIX OF.
I find that SO INTRIGUING.

As I have said before CLOTHING is a WAY of EXPRESSING OUR INDIVIDUALITY, UNIQUENESS and ALLOWS US to SHOW ALL SIDES of OUR PERSONALITY.

This WHOLE WORKSHOP is AMAZING!!

 

[vintagecurves]

Consarnit. The links didn't work.
But if you go to <a href="http://www.thebettiepage.com">www.thebettiepage.com</a> and click on their news section, they have her there

 

[www.VintageGrace.com]

Here is a working link from TheBettiePage.com
They have info posted about the upcoming HBO movie (yes, it is Gretchen Mol who will be playing her. Who is she? I'm not familiar with her work). There is also a new DVD out about Bettie.

I found the photo of her at the 50th anniversary party. Now I ask you, does this LOOK like an 80 year old woman??? I think NOT!!!!

You go Bettie Page! You go girl!

I heard about that book, The Real Bettie Page. It's a shame that people take delight in trying to ruin someone, even after all those years. (At least you didn't get Ant Stakes Melanie!)

~Maureen

 

[Patentleathershoes]

I know! She looks really great for 80!

 

[hipvintage]

She's right! She STILL has her bangs!!

 

[debutanteclothing]

I just got in from a weekend in Vegas for a Punk Rock Bowling tournament! Big hugs and congrats on such a great workshop Maureen! You did a great job of presenting such a wide spread topic. Bettie really is the perfect marriage of the girl next door meets sex pot vixen! Awesome, amazing job!
Sandra

 

[www.VintageGrace.com]

Thanks Sandra!!

Punk Rock Bowling!!!!!!!

I'm so jealous!!!!!!!

I hope you had an absolute blast-o-rama!!!!!

Thanks for stopping by :D

~Maureen