ESTEREL FASHION 1966

Happy Sunday, Spy Vibers! It's a long holiday weekend here in the States and the Spy Vibe lair is filled with sunshine and the sound of records spinning on the Hi-Fi. I was exploring some vintage 1960s news footage about fashion shows- as one does- and thought I'd share this great time capsule from 1966. The Space-Fashion era during the mid-sixties was dominated by new ideas that sought to feature geometric designs and accentuate those Twiggy-like figures. Although the narrator in this short Pathe clip suggests we forget Dior and Courreges and concentrate on the "forward look", the collection is indeed a wonderful amalgam of those playful trends of the period such as Op Art, cut-outs, customizable glasses and hemlines, Mini dresses, and Pop Art. The outfits here were designed by Jacques Esterel (Charles Martin), who was an entertainer and designer famous for bringing theatricality and novelties to his designs. His whimsical approach apparently did not impress the fashion press, but he did enjoy wide promotion- even behind the Iron Curtain- and he patented a number of innovations for garment construction. One detail that stood out to me in his bio is that Esterel experimented with built-in lights- a notion that would be right at home in today's "Makers" culture. More about the designer here. Additional photos below of Esterel's Op-inspired work, cut-outs, and his "Dalmatian Show." Want to see more? Check on-line for cool images of Esterel with Bardot, as well as the designer's French LP record covers. Enjoy!

Selected Spy Vibe Posts: Exclusive Ian Ogilvy Interview, 007 Tribute Covers, The Phantom Avon novels return, Ian Fleming Festival, Argoman Design, Sylvia Anderson R.I.P., Ken Adam R.I.P., George Martin R.I.P., The New Avengers Comics, Trina Robbins Interview, The Phantom at 80, 007 Manga, Avengerworld Book, Diana Rigg Auto Show, The Prisoner Audio Drama Review, David McCallum novel, Andre Courreges R.I.P., Who's Talking on Spy Vibe, UFO Blu-ray, Avengers Pop Art Interview, Fergus Fleming Interview, Avengers: Alan Hayes Interview, Jaz Wiseman Interview, Diana Rigg BFI Interview, Casino Royale Interview: Mike Richardson, Lost Diana Rigg Interview, Honor Blackman at 90, UNCLE School, Ian Fleming Memorial, Portmeirion Photos, Doctor Who Exhibit, Farewell Steed, Pussy Galore Returns, Diana Rigg birthday, Sherlock at 221B, Invisible Agent, Saint Interview: Ian Dickerson, Saint Doppelgänger, Fleming's Typewriter, Rare Fleming, Fleming's Music, Ian Fleming's Japan, Jim Wilson Corgi Interview, Fantomas Design, John Buss interview, Saint Volvo, Mod Tales Interview, Agente Secreto Comics, Danger Man Comics 2, Danger Man Comics, John Drake Comics, Der Mann Von UNCLE, Golden Margaret Nolan, Man From UNCLE Rocksteady, Pussy Galore Calypso, Cynthia Lennon R.I.P., Edward Mann Fashion, Leonard Nimoy Tribute, Shatner at 84, Bob Morane series, Thai Bond Design, Bond vs Modernism, Tokyo Beat 1964, Feraud Mod Fashion, Green Hornet Manga, Avengers Interview: Michael Richardson, Ian Fleming: Wicked Grin, Jane Bond Hong Kong Records, Ryan Heshka Interview, Comics Week: Man From R.I.V.E.R.D.A.L.E., Comics Week: Archie, Comics Week: Robots, Comics Week: Cold War Atomic, Comics Week: SPYMAN, Comics Week: Jimmy Olsen, Shakespeare Spies: Diana Rigg, Shakespeare Spies I, Rodney Marshall Avengers Interview, Richard Sala: Super-Enigmatix, Cold War Archie, Playboy Bunny Interview, The 10th Victim Japanese and Kindle, U.N.C.L.E. Japanese Books, Catsuits, Batman '66 Green Hornet Interview: Ralph Garman Ty Templeton.

IAN FLEMING

007 author Ian Fleming was born on this day in 1908. After serving as assistant to the Director of Naval Intelligence in the Admiralty during WWII, Fleming became the manager of foreign correspondents for Kelmsley newspapers, owners of the Sunday Times and other papers. His job offered him three months off a year to spend time at his Goldeneye retreat in Jamaica. In 1952, he sat down and created the first James Bond novel, Casino Royale (published in April, 1953). Where some writers aim to tug at the heart or stimulate the brain, Fleming confessed that the target of his books lay "somewhere between the solar plexus and the upper thigh." Fleming has been a great inspiration, both for his genius invention and as a role model as a writer. He established a disciplined routine that he later described in an essay called How to Write a Thriller: He wrote for three hours in the morning, then for one hour between six and seven at night. He would not edit or revise as he went, allowing the words to flow naturally. By the end of six weeks, producing four hours per day, he would complete a solid draft of each new novel. Fleming eventually published fourteen 007 books, as well as Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, The Diamond Smugglers, and Thrilling Cities before his death in 1964. Celebrate Ian Fleming today by picking up one of his books, available in print and eBook editions through Amazon. Or better yet, spend the morning writing, followed by an afternoon of snorkeling around your own private tropical cove- That's how he would have wanted to spend the day!

It was Fleming's gift of language and talent as a writer that has allowed his work to endure. Here is a passage from my favorite short story in For Your Eyes Only, From a View to a Kill, photographed below from my first edition published by Jonathan Cape in 1960. Ian Fleming Publications here. Selected related posts: Fergus Fleming Interview, Fleming's Typewriter, Rare Fleming, Fleming's Music, Ian Fleming's Japan, Ian Fleming: Wicked Grin, Ian Fleming Memorial, Thai Bond Design, Bond vs Modernism, The Goldfinger Variations, Double 007 Book Designs, Double 007 designs II, rare Ian Fleming edition, Book Design Dopplegangers, Turkish Bond design, Erno Goldfinger, Ian Fleming Catalog, Jon Gilbert interview, Double 007 Designs, Fleming's Royal gold typewriter, David Tennant Reads Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Spy Vibe's Ian Fleming archive on Pinterest. Enjoy!

Selected Spy Vibe Posts: Exclusive Ian Ogilvy Interview, 007 Tribute Covers, The Phantom Avon novels return, Ian Fleming Festival, Argoman Design, Sylvia Anderson R.I.P., Ken Adam R.I.P., George Martin R.I.P., The New Avengers Comics, Trina Robbins Interview, The Phantom at 80, 007 Manga, Avengerworld Book, Diana Rigg Auto Show, The Prisoner Audio Drama Review, David McCallum novel, Andre Courreges R.I.P., Who's Talking on Spy Vibe, UFO Blu-ray, Avengers Pop Art Interview, Fergus Fleming Interview, Avengers: Alan Hayes Interview, Jaz Wiseman Interview, Diana Rigg BFI Interview, Casino Royale Interview: Mike Richardson, Lost Diana Rigg Interview, Honor Blackman at 90, UNCLE School, Ian Fleming Memorial, Portmeirion Photos, Doctor Who Exhibit, Farewell Steed, Pussy Galore Returns, Diana Rigg birthday, Sherlock at 221B, Invisible Agent, Saint Interview: Ian Dickerson, Saint Doppelgänger, Fleming's Typewriter, Rare Fleming, Fleming's Music, Ian Fleming's Japan, Jim Wilson Corgi Interview, Fantomas Design, John Buss interview, Saint Volvo, Mod Tales Interview, Agente Secreto Comics, Danger Man Comics 2, Danger Man Comics, John Drake Comics, Der Mann Von UNCLE, Golden Margaret Nolan, Man From UNCLE Rocksteady, Pussy Galore Calypso, Cynthia Lennon R.I.P., Edward Mann Fashion, Leonard Nimoy Tribute, Shatner at 84, Bob Morane series, Thai Bond Design, Bond vs Modernism, Tokyo Beat 1964, Feraud Mod Fashion, Green Hornet Manga, Avengers Interview: Michael Richardson, Ian Fleming: Wicked Grin, Jane Bond Hong Kong Records, Ryan Heshka Interview, Comics Week: Man From R.I.V.E.R.D.A.L.E., Comics Week: Archie, Comics Week: Robots, Comics Week: Cold War Atomic, Comics Week: SPYMAN, Comics Week: Jimmy Olsen, Shakespeare Spies: Diana Rigg, Shakespeare Spies I, Rodney Marshall Avengers Interview, Richard Sala: Super-Enigmatix, Cold War Archie, Playboy Bunny Interview, The 10th Victim Japanese and Kindle, U.N.C.L.E. Japanese Books, Catsuits, Batman '66 Green Hornet Interview: Ralph Garman Ty Templeton.

ROBERT FUEST ARTICLE

Kimberly Lindbergs has posted an interesting article on Movie Morlocks about director Robert Fuest. Fuest, known for blending laughs with gasps, brought his unique style and sensibility to such projects as The Avengers, The New Avengers, Just Like a Woman, and The Abominable Dr. Phibes. Read about him at Movie Morlocks here. Spy Vibers may be interested to know Fuest helmed the Avengers episodes: Game, My Wildest Dream, They Keep Killing Steed, The Rotters, Take Me to Your Leader, Pandora, Take-Over, and New Avengers: The Midas Touch and The Tale of the Big Why. Perhaps more importantly, Fuest helped establish the look of The Avengers in its first stages (1961-1962) as a production designer. He also worked as a designer on The Protectors and Z Cars, and as a writer, he contributed to many shows, including Not Only... But Also starring Peter Cook and Dudley Moore. Readers might remember the support between my early Spy Vibe and Kimberly's blog Cinebeats, and it's always interesting to check in to see what she is watching and writing about. Enjoy!

Selected Spy Vibe Posts: Exclusive Ian Ogilvy Interview, 007 Tribute Covers, The Phantom Avon novels return, Ian Fleming Festival, Argoman Design, Sylvia Anderson R.I.P., Ken Adam R.I.P., George Martin R.I.P., The New Avengers Comics, Trina Robbins Interview, The Phantom at 80, 007 Manga, Avengerworld Book, Diana Rigg Auto Show, The Prisoner Audio Drama Review, David McCallum novel, Andre Courreges R.I.P., Who's Talking on Spy Vibe, UFO Blu-ray, Avengers Pop Art Interview, Fergus Fleming Interview, Avengers: Alan Hayes Interview, Jaz Wiseman Interview, Diana Rigg BFI Interview, Casino Royale Interview: Mike Richardson, Lost Diana Rigg Interview, Honor Blackman at 90, UNCLE School, Ian Fleming Memorial, Portmeirion Photos, Doctor Who Exhibit, Farewell Steed, Pussy Galore Returns, Diana Rigg birthday, Sherlock at 221B, Invisible Agent, Saint Interview: Ian Dickerson, Saint Doppelgänger, Fleming's Typewriter, Rare Fleming, Fleming's Music, Ian Fleming's Japan, Jim Wilson Corgi Interview, Fantomas Design, John Buss interview, Saint Volvo, Mod Tales Interview, Agente Secreto Comics, Danger Man Comics 2, Danger Man Comics, John Drake Comics, Der Mann Von UNCLE, Golden Margaret Nolan, Man From UNCLE Rocksteady, Pussy Galore Calypso, Cynthia Lennon R.I.P., Edward Mann Fashion, Leonard Nimoy Tribute, Shatner at 84, Bob Morane series, Thai Bond Design, Bond vs Modernism, Tokyo Beat 1964, Feraud Mod Fashion, Green Hornet Manga, Avengers Interview: Michael Richardson, Ian Fleming: Wicked Grin, Jane Bond Hong Kong Records, Ryan Heshka Interview, Comics Week: Man From R.I.V.E.R.D.A.L.E., Comics Week: Archie, Comics Week: Robots, Comics Week: Cold War Atomic, Comics Week: SPYMAN, Comics Week: Jimmy Olsen, Shakespeare Spies: Diana Rigg, Shakespeare Spies I, Rodney Marshall Avengers Interview, Richard Sala: Super-Enigmatix, Cold War Archie, Playboy Bunny Interview, The 10th Victim Japanese and Kindle, U.N.C.L.E. Japanese Books, Catsuits, Batman '66 Green Hornet Interview: Ralph Garman Ty Templeton.

IPCRESS LOCATIONS

Reel Streets has posted an interesting study of locations used in the 1965 Harry Palmer film, The Ipcress File, starring Michael Caine. Spy Vibe has often celebrated the movie for its interesting cinematography, style, and for its connection to the Bond films. But location-spotting is a relatively new hobby in my world. Spy Vibers may remember I visited many filming locations last summer that were featured in The Prisoner and the ITC shows in the 1960s. It was incredible to immerse oneself in each place. I found those experiences not only brought the classic shows to life and provided a behind-the-scenes view of their production, but they also gave me a great appreciation for the way things have changed- or stayed the same, in many cases- in the UK since the programs were shot 50 years ago. I suppose it was akin to meeting a new potential romance and looking through her family photo albums, visiting the ancestral home, and falling in love with the whole person. I say that because I really did fall in love with the UK. One of my favorite discoveries was watching my British friends during a weekend car rally around locations in the Elstree area. Many of them, as it turns out, had grown up with a passion for using maps and hunting down and documenting locations used in the classic spy shows and in Doctor Who. In fact, there's a whole sub-culture of research and location spotting going on over there. The web is full of site documentation, travel routes, and there have been many books published, as well. It was charming to consider that while I was content to read Frank Miller's Daredevil comics in my dorm room as a teen (hey, those Ninjas were awesome!), my friends in the UK were busy studying maps and meeting up at fan conventions. I wonder if the United States was just too vast, and land development too rapid, to cultivate the hobby to the same extent. I will be returning to the UK in July to visit many more locations from The Avengers, The Saint, The Prisoner, Doctor Who, etc, and look forward to sharing some of my photographs in August. Readers can see my images on Spy Vibe from last summer's trip to Portmeirion here. Nothing can really compete with standing in the actual place and breathing the air, but it's still interesting to see images comparing screen-shots to current locations. Reel Streets has provided quite a collection that documents The Ipcress File. If you're fascinated to visit some of the spots in the film, this can provide an excellent guide. My one complaint on an aesthetic level is that their screen-captures from the movie are pretty fuzzy and could use some editing to make them visually stronger (sorry, career photography teacher here!). You can check it out here. You can also see current Ipcress location shots at the Movie Locations website here and at the Movie Tourst blog here. I'll spotlight additional research sites this week. Below: a really cool contact sheet of actor Michael Caine. Enjoy! Now, I'm off to celebrate my birthday with some walks and meals with pals. Have a great day, Spy Vibers! 

Selected Spy Vibe Posts: Exclusive Ian Ogilvy Interview, 007 Tribute Covers, The Phantom Avon novels return, Ian Fleming Festival, Argoman Design, Sylvia Anderson R.I.P., Ken Adam R.I.P., George Martin R.I.P., The New Avengers Comics, Trina Robbins Interview, The Phantom at 80, 007 Manga, Avengerworld Book, Diana Rigg Auto Show, The Prisoner Audio Drama Review, David McCallum novel, Andre Courreges R.I.P., Who's Talking on Spy Vibe, UFO Blu-ray, Avengers Pop Art Interview, Fergus Fleming Interview, Avengers: Alan Hayes Interview, Jaz Wiseman Interview, Diana Rigg BFI Interview, Casino Royale Interview: Mike Richardson, Lost Diana Rigg Interview, Honor Blackman at 90, UNCLE School, Ian Fleming Memorial, Portmeirion Photos, Doctor Who Exhibit, Farewell Steed, Pussy Galore Returns, Diana Rigg birthday, Sherlock at 221B, Invisible Agent, Saint Interview: Ian Dickerson, Saint Doppelgänger, Fleming's Typewriter, Rare Fleming, Fleming's Music, Ian Fleming's Japan, Jim Wilson Corgi Interview, Fantomas Design, John Buss interview, Saint Volvo, Mod Tales Interview, Agente Secreto Comics, Danger Man Comics 2, Danger Man Comics, John Drake Comics, Der Mann Von UNCLE, Golden Margaret Nolan, Man From UNCLE Rocksteady, Pussy Galore Calypso, Cynthia Lennon R.I.P., Edward Mann Fashion, Leonard Nimoy Tribute, Shatner at 84, Bob Morane series, Thai Bond Design, Bond vs Modernism, Tokyo Beat 1964, Feraud Mod Fashion, Green Hornet Manga, Avengers Interview: Michael Richardson, Ian Fleming: Wicked Grin, Jane Bond Hong Kong Records, Ryan Heshka Interview, Comics Week: Man From R.I.V.E.R.D.A.L.E., Comics Week: Archie, Comics Week: Robots, Comics Week: Cold War Atomic, Comics Week: SPYMAN, Comics Week: Jimmy Olsen, Shakespeare Spies: Diana Rigg, Shakespeare Spies I, Rodney Marshall Avengers Interview, Richard Sala: Super-Enigmatix, Cold War Archie, Playboy Bunny Interview, The 10th Victim Japanese and Kindle, U.N.C.L.E. Japanese Books, Catsuits, Batman '66 Green Hornet Interview: Ralph Garman Ty Templeton.