Photographer

RIP, Bert Stern. I wrote the noted photographer up years ago here. He sadly passed away recently. Here are just a few of the iconic images he leaves behind.

Be sure to check out the lovely Jazz on a Summer’s Day too.

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Posted on July 15, 2013

Fashion Illustrator

Opera gloves, couture gowns, fancy summer beaches – Rene Gruau made glamour more glamorous with his simple, elegant, witty and industry changing illustrations.

Beyond being the pinnacle of couture illustration, Gruau is well known for his sumptuous Dolce Vita poster.

His designs, while accurately portraying the high styles of their time feel modern and getting lost in them is exhilarating and inspiring.

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Posted on June 20, 2013

RIP

Jack Vance is simply my favorite science fiction author. His stories are clever, rich, unforgettable and funny. I became an immediate and immense fan after casually picking up Tales of the Dying Earth and have been delighted every time I’ve opened one of his books since.

If anyone’s ever asked for book recommendations, I’ve undoubtedly pushed Demon Princes Volume 1 and 2 on them, I’ve even made life long sci-fi haters fall in love with books like Showboat World.

I am sad! I will always regret I never sent a note to thank him for creating such fantastic worlds (he’s one of the only people I’ve felt compelled to write in such a way).

As a man, he was modest and gave much credit to his wife for helping edit his stories and had no pretenses of being a “great” writer (even though he was great).. But he enjoyed it and continued to write even after becoming legally blind with the aid of his wife and computers.

As I always say, if you haven’t read his work, do, it’s made my imagination sing and my life a richer place.

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Posted on May 29, 2013

Style Icons: Male »Ray Harryhausen

Special Effects Legend

While I’ve written up Ray Harryhausen in the past, with his recent passing, the special effects pioneer and genius is worth revisiting.

He leaves behind a legacy of imaginative and highly influential work (just take a look at any of his greats – I recommend Jason and the Argonauts).

I vividly remember watching his magic with my dad. He will be missed but his influence lives on in pretty much any film with special effects. harryhausen2

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Posted on May 8, 2013

Songs,Style Icons: Male »Richie Havens, Here Comes the Sun, Wonder Child

RIP

Folk icon Richie Havens is remembered not only for his long career in folk music and particularly his break out performance at Woodstock but for being a genuinely kindhearted man. He devoted his time to educating children about the environment and never let fame get in the way of his life and his music.

It’s difficult to choose a favorite song from such an impressive list but I’d recommend a listen to his fantastic version of Here Comes the Sun, one of his biggest hits, and his touching cover of Wonder Child, a lesser known song originally performed by Helen Reddy on Sesame Street (it might bring you close to tears if you have little kids though!)