Modern Technologies in Retro Packages

Self-confessed "tortured artist, rogue scientist and international playboy" Alex Varanese is on a mission: to revisit the late 1970s with four staples of our modern-day technology, MP3 player, laptop computer, mobile phone and hand-held video game system, taken through a digital once-over with a resolute 1970s resonance; the kitsch optical twist and the copy tone lend a futuristic connection to the past by taking it off a tangent, almost like a visionary reinterpretation of vintage without complacency, which makes it a compelling project in a crazy professor sort of way!

Source: All illustrations by Alex Varanese, and part of his (1) 'ALT/1977: We Are Not Time Travelers' 14-piece series project; (2) ALT/1977 Pocket Hi-Fi print ad, (3) ALT/1977 LapTron 64 print ad, (4) ALT:1977 MobileVoxx print ad, and  (5) ALT:1977 Microcade 3000 print ad.

Palm Springs: Playground of the Beautiful People

Every day is a holiday, and every holiday a poolside cocktail party, entertained by beautiful views stretching beyond the manicured lawns and over the sierra, while the hostess with the mostest and her chic lady friends strike a pose and discuss couture, husbands, children, travel, hobbies, gossip and young lovers... and not necessarily in that order.

Source: Poolside Gossip, by American jet-set photographer Slim Aarons (1970), featured on Photographers Gallery.

Grandeur & Decadence: Detroit's Michigan Central Station

The flipside of grandeur is decadence of dizzy-high proportions; nonetheless from the tragedy, from the combined obsolescence and degenerescence of the once-bustling station emanates solemn beauty at its most pared-down form, bathed in visual silence.

Pict 1-4: Michigan Central Station is one of Detroit USA's iconic derelict constructions. Built in 1913 it was sadly doomed as a white elephant, never achieving its full potential despite its credentials. Later in the 1970s, the motor town's changing fortunes further accelerated its demise. The station's future has been hanging in the balance since closing down in 1988 and demolition is now on the cards as the only viable option. That will be yet another Detroit symbol biting the dust. Photographic footage featured by Kevin Bauman on Behance. 

Celia Birtwell: Textile Designer Extraordinaire

Celia needs no introduction as one half of the Ossie Clark duo who revolutionised fashion design in the course of the Swinging '60s and '70s, with accent on body-flattering floaty florals, ruffles, crêpe de Chine and chiffon which graced the limbs of royalty and rock royalty alike; the fruit of Celia's talent can still be enjoyed today, exemplified by her partnerships with British retailers Top Shop, Boots, Millet and John Lewis, or as shown here through her soft furnishings collections.

Pict 1-3: Bird Song fabric design by Celia Birtwell, available in French Blue on natural linen, French Blue on crisp linen, and Ivory on natural linen
Pict 4-8 (clockwise from top left): Jacobean at Night Charcoal on natural linen, Mystic Daisy Dusky Violet on oyster linen, Jacobean Rose Red on natural linen, and Little Animals Blotch Aqua on beige linen. All by Celia Birtwell.