Fab 50s fashion is having a revival

Jul 6 2010 by Liz Lamb, The Journal

50s fashion is having a revival and swing dresses, pedal pushers and capri pants are making a comeback. Liz Lamb shows you how to get the look ahead of a new show in Newcastle celebrating the era.

IT was one of the most stylish decades of the 20th Century and now 50s fashion is back. The trend for vintage clothes has snowballed in recent years with shops selling fashions of yesteryear opening in Newcastle and Durham City and fashion companies selling 50s inspired clothing on the increase.

The style of the decade is one of the most popular because it is flattering to women of all shapes and sizes and also sees a return to glamorous, ladylike dressing.

Philippa Ryan, 28, and Katy Grady, 24, both of Heaton, Newcastle, launched their 40s and 50s inspired clothing company, Boulevard Rouge, on June 30.

The pair reproduce 1940s and 50s clothing in vibrant designs, authentic colours and prints, to fit the modern woman.

Boulevard Rouge stocks handmade outfits for every occasion, from a picnic in the park, to a formal garden party, cocktails at your favourite bar, or for dancing with your favourite guy.

Prices range from as little as £5 for accessories to £70 for the most expensive dress.

Philippa has seen a revival for 50s fashion in recent times.

She says: “There are numerous events around the globe that celebrate 50s lifestyle, culture and music. This had directly impacted on the increasing interest in the fashion.

“Vintage fashion makes glamour easy and with fashion companies like Boulevard Rouge popping up all over the internet the style is more accessible and provides the appeal of something different.

“The fashion and style of the 50s is often glamorous and accentuates the female form. Dressing up and feeling feminine all the time has been lost in modern dress. This is why many women nowadays turn to the 50s for inspiration.

“High waisted garments are proving extremely popular as they flatter all figures. Full circle dresses are flirty, fun and great for dancing in.”

The era is being celebrated next week when 50s blockbusting dance show Rock Around the Clock opens at the Theatre Royal in Newcastle.

Starring former Emmerdale actress Roxanne Pallett the show shakes, rattles and rolls all the way back to the 1950s and the era of Teddy Boys, quiffs, Brylcreem, poodle skirts and blue suede shoes.

It features a non-stop hit parade of Rock and Roll classics, including Great Balls of Fire, Jail House Rock, Blueberry Hill, Shake Rattle and Roll, Good Golly Miss Molly, Johnny B. Goode and many more, made famous by Buddy Holly, Bill Haley and His Comets, Chuck Berry, Fats Domino, Elvis Presley, The Platters and Jerry Lee Lewis.

Costume designer Jennifer Perkins sourced all the outfits for the show.

She says: “I managed to buy a lot of the costumes online from America as the 50s fashion we do in the show is very American rock’n’roll.

“It was so easy to source because the 50s look is still popular. I also went to the vintage shops in Camden in London.

“You can even buy bits on the modern day high street.

“There is a shop near me just opened up and it’s full of 50s swing dress.

“The 50s look is so popular because it is very flattering. Fashions always come round again, you can find 50s style on the high street and it’s all over the internet or you can buy from vintage shops.”

For the stage show Jennifer sourced original 50s pieces from America, as well as from vintage shops.

“The show has pieces that are inspired by the 50s but it’s not like a film where you have to be historically accurate – it’s theatrical,” says the costume designer. “It’s inspired by what people wore in the 50s but more fun, kitsch and rock’n’roll.

“There are lots of bright colours. We have guys in very bright jackets and girls in swing coats. We do a section on drive-in movies so we have dancers in jeans and pedal pushers and guys in plaid shirts and striped polos. There is also a prom section and the girls are wearing powdery pastel dresses. They were all vintage dresses from the 50s. It’s a really colourful show.”

Rock Around the Clock runs at Newcastle Theatre Royal from July 12 to 17. Tickets are £10.50 – £24.50. Call Theatre Royal Box Office on 08448 11 21 21 or online at www.theatreroyal.co.uk