This Retro Life

Think pops of pink, orange, brown, green and all the clashing patterns in the world - that's the colour pallete of Nicole from Tiara Clara's vintage life. Thrifting is in her genes, so it's not surprising she now sells vintage pieces from the 1960's and 1970's.

His mission is to bring Rockabilly culture to the world and he's doing it through the worlds biggest festival, Viva Las Vegas. Meet man behind the event that brings rockabilly, burlesque and vintage fans from around the world together each and every year. This is Tom Ingram's vintage story.

Loving vintage is about extending life. About taking something old and giving it years more love and life. Like the old photos that Liz Gruening-Hay from The Vintage Inn finds and shares. A family photo taken in the 50's get a new lease on life on Liz's blog - along with the rest of her extensive vintage passion.

The come in bright blues and greens and yellows, but just how much can a radio from the 1950's tell us about the family who owned it? Alot, according to Allen Chiang from Retro Radio Farm. He has found a passion for restoring and modernising radios of old to keep the old pieces of technology alive and find homes for these old beauties.

Bonjour! This week we're off to Paris to meet a Ukranian with a passion for vintage fashion, icons and photography. In just a few years she's become a vintage influencer with big dreams. Meet Daria Nelson.

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? NO! It's vintage comic researcher, collector and lover Jon Morris talking about the weird, the wonderful, the kitsch and quirky vintage comic characters that have graced our newspapers and graphic novels since the 1930's.

Because we're talking about vintage food this week I wanted to share a little something extra with you. There's a TV show that started in Britain and has gone around the world that's all about vintage food. It's called Back in Time for Dinner and in Australia it was the Ferrone family who voluntered to spend a week in a different era and cook only with the recipes, technology and social norms of the time. Carol Feronne reflected on the experience.

Hands up if you love food! Ok, now that one hand is raised keep it up if you've ever experimented with recipes from an earlier era. I'm talking 60's dinner parties, aspic salads, tiered potato salads (yeah really)! Michelle Ferrand is the brains behind Cup of Zest and she is all about bringing vintage recipes back to life!

A big part of living a modern vintage life is DIY. We do it ourselves when it comes to fashion, repairs, research, starting events, creating community - the list goes on. So meet someone who has not one, but two homemade vintage passions, Lauren De Marti, aka The Homemade Pinup.

What does your vintage passion mean for you? For Stephanie Lanora it's helped her find love, strength, community and even a second home. She's a 1940 loving history buff with an incredible story to tell. Hit play to hear it.

Using your vintage passion for good not evil. It's something we should all aim for and Lizzie from Killer Kitsch is putting her collection of vintage sewing and knitting patterns out there for others to learn from, study and magic modern vintage magic. We learnt more about her vintage passion!

They were the superstars of their time. Jerry Lewis and Dean Martin were a comedy duo that took the world by storm n the 1940's and 1950's. And in 2018 they are still finding new fans just like Nicholas Arnold. Who found a calling in life thanks to his ability to sound, look and act just like Jerry Lewis.

We're on the road this week to the tiny Australian town of Taylor's Arm. It's known for the Pub with No Beer and is the new home of Burlesque queen Sofonda Blackmen. She has an incredible vintage clothing collection, loves the 1970's and has just started the first ever Bowraville Burlesque Society. Bowraville Burlesque Society: https://www.facebook.com/bowraburlesque/Sofonda Blackmen: https://www.facebook.com/sofonda/

What do Manatees and mannequins have in common? There's only one woman who can answer this question and that's Maggie Wilds. She's the vintage wonder behind Denise Brain and has developed an impeccable knowledge about vintage brands and clothes. Now she's helping you live your best vintage life. How? Hit play! 

A short update on what's been going on behind the scenes at This Retro Life, and what's to come after a short break. 

With auburn hair, beautiful vintage fashion and a very cute sausage dog Miss Lady Lace is hard  to miss. So how did discovering Dita Von Teese as a teenager lead to a vintage pasion that has consumed her entire life (and that of her husband too)? Miss Lady Lace tells her story of being a pretty cool teen in this episode. 

How much do you know about space flight? I'm talking pre 1975. Before man walked on the moon, before the space race ended and before a heap of regulation and safety measures we associate with space flight today. Vintage space is Amy Shira Teitel's passion. She digs out historic gems about space flight in the 50's and 60's and shares some of them with us in this episode. 

Time for you to meet the first Australian musician since the 1950's to release a 78 record. Someone who has over 5,000 gramophone records in his collection. Who started wearing vintage clothes in highschool and now has his own orchestra bringing 1920's jazz to life! Ladies and Gents, meet Andrew Nolte! 

It was an entire town and it's architecture that led Tammy Twinkletoes (aka Tamsin Smith) to fully embrace her love of vintage. After trips to the same art deco festival in Napier New Zealand she packed up and moved there! Now she designs vintage inspired dresses for others, has started the first swing dancing school in the village and is living a modern vintage life!

Some people have a knack for creating community and bringing folks together. Sugar St Claire is one of those people! In the vintage, disability,  online and performing community she rallies the troops and makes everyone feel welcome. So when vintage can equal confidence, what does finding your passion for old things mean when you have a disability? Hit play to find out! 

You've probably read her books, seen her on TV or follow her sewing, vintage or steampunk pages on social media. Tara Moss has been on a fabulous vintage journey like the rest of us and is now able to thread a love of old things into everything she does. So find out why she rescues pieces, how she learnt to sew and why for her vintage = self care! 

At the Parkes Elvis Festival we were lucky enough to chair a symposium into the music that influenced Elvis Presley. Joining Kia Handley on stage was Louisiana musician Bernard Pearce, music journalist Glenn A Baker and Australian Elvis Tribute Artist Mark Andrew. 

How often do you wear a hat? When it's sunny outside or you're going to a special event - how do you think you'd go wearing a hat or headpiece 365 days a year! That's what milliner Ilana Meilak would like us all to do. She's been collecting pieces of vintage headwear since she was 8 years old! Hit play to hear how she turned this love into her work at House of Hats. 

We're kicking off 2018 with a story all about family, perfect for the festive season. How two mothers ended up involved in their daughters passions. One who wanted to ensure her daughter made friends with a common interest, and another who has been able to bond over a love of vintage. In this episode meet the incredible Miss Cherrybomb, a pinup who's competed around the world, has the best sense of humour and personality and an infectious passion for old things. 

It's like a Cinderella story, when across a crowded vintage store you spot the perfect vintage shoe.  As you approach it you dare to dream that this 100 year old beauty feels at home on your foot and then..... it's perfect! It's moments like this that inspired Bernice Bell's love of the 1920's and 1930's. Hear about her incredible style and collection in this episode. 

Could the vintage community be the secret weapon to fighting online trolls? This is the question being asked by the incredible mind of Miss Lillian Rose who has combined academia with her passion for vintage and old things. So what is the answer? Hit play to find out.

Bustles, stays, rumps and hoops! Get ready to tight lace your corset because we're going back to the 18th century. In this episode meet a woman who brings 1700's fashion to life in 2017, that has created a business around historic and vintage dress and has just released a book to teach you to be 1700's fabulous today! Meet Lauren Stowell from American Duchess. 

It's our first birthday! We have been telling modern vintage stories for a year now and to celebrate we sit down with one of the incredible minds behind the online magazine Retro Betty. So get comfy, maybe in the backseat of a classic car, because this week we're going cruising with Kirsty Wallett aka Francie Flathead.

We went behind the scenes of the Pinup Doll Australia finals held at Chromefest in NSW, Australia. The winner gets a golden ticket to the Miss Pinup International contest in London. So come inside the backstage tent and meet the wonderful finalists and men and women behind an event that grows each and every year. 

How does one man end up with over 1500 pieces of vintage Pyrex? It starts with just one. Then slowly grows and grows and becomes more and more addictive. But for Stan from That Retro Piece his love of Pyrex has turned into a resource for others and a world first book. We go down the dangerously obsessive (in a fun way) road of Pyrex collection in this episode. 

From perm machines that look like they might electrocute you to leave in hair rollers made of metal, beauty through the ages hasn't always been painless. But thanks to those inventions we now have the technology today that makes recreating vintage looks so much easier. Michelle Coursey is the makeup artist and vintage fashionista behind My Vintage Love and our guest this week

Ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain speaking. We are preparing for takeoff so could you please make sure your tray tables and seats are in the upright position, your vintage hat is cocked at the correct angle and that you're ready to take to the skies in a vintage warbird. Your pilot for this adventure is The Flying Pinup. I hope you enjoy your ride. 

What was the first vintage clothing item you owned? For many of us it can be hand me downs that end up int eh dress up box. We might only wear them around the house. But Miss Baltimore Bombshell was different. The second she found herself in the possession of a box of polyester beauties she knew she was onto something that made her happy and she bucked the teenage trend to rock old clothes whenever she could. Now, she's a modern vintage lass with an incredible story to tell. 

This week we're travelling to Norway to meet the reigning Miss Pinup International. This week Miss Chan Delier will hand over her crown and title to another fabulous lady. But before she does let's find out more about this passionate vintage lover, what makes her tick and about the vintage scene in Norway. 

Step inside some of the best mid century modern homes in the world. We are taking a trip into homes designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, Alvar Alto, Charles and Ray Eames and so many more. What started as a passion for vases in a flea market has turned into a full blown passion for vintage architecture for Marco  Guagliardo. So hit play and meet the man behind Mid-Century Home. 

This episode needs to be consumed with a delicious, piping hot cup of tea. Because it's one of the things guest Emileigh Rogers loves to do. Paired with a love for vintage, a passion for blogging and a love of connecting with people Emileigh is one of the most interesting and lovely people you can meet. So pop the kettle on, brew the pot and as you sip enjoy this weeks episode. 

Say cheese! This week is all about vintage photography. But we aren't looking at magazine spreads of the 1980's. Glamour shots of the 1950's. We are going all the way back to the 1800's. When carnivals had a tent with a man, a trunk and an odd looking machine that would capture your image for ever. Today we're looking at wet plate photography and how Melbourne based photographer Sophie Caligari is keeping this old technique alive all these centuries later. 

Passion for true crime is everywhere at the moment. Podcasts, books, articles and general conversation. But most true crime lovers tend to focus on modern history. Not Richard Jones from the True Crime Historian podcast. He is all about the vintage scoundrels that caused trouble from the late 1800's until early 1940's. So this week on This Retro Life we are taking a look at vintage and historic crime. 

Time to meet another amazing pinup who is off to London in September to compete at Miss Pinup International. Miss Emerald Elle hails from Ireland and is a pinup, burlesque dancer, vintage lover and World War Two reenactor! She started the Irish Pinups Facebook page and is one of the many people behind getting Ireland vintage scene and talent known! 

Howdy partners this week we are off to find out if things really are bigger in Texas. You need to pack your sequins, big hair and excess energy because we are about to go go dance with The Pistolettes. They might be named after bread but there's nothing crumby about this group of retro dancers! Hit play to be transported directly to the swinging 60's! 

This podcast is about to get a little bit glamorous. Prepare to be wrapped in luxury. We are lounging around in our best silk and satin vintage wear for a night in with Melissa Heart, the creator of Evette Dubois Lingerie. So step back in time to an age where what we wore underneath our clothes deserved just as much attention. So hit play and enter a 1920's lingerie shop in the heart of Paris. 

Did you know Marilyn Monroe loved to write poetry? Not only that between takes on a movie set she could often be found with her nose in a book. So do we still have an appreciation for mid century literature today like we do fashion? This is one of the questions vintage lover Paris Brown has been asking as part of her university study. So hit play and find out more about the stories that have inspired our modern vintage loves! 

We love vintage hats! And the art of millinery and hat wearing dates back into the middle ages. So let's bring back our daily connection with hats and perhaps learn something about ourselves along the way. We want you to meet Waltraud Reiner the brain behind the Hatmobile, a travelling hat making workshop that combines millinery and mental health in these modern times! 

Have you ever tried one of those miracle diets? The ones that you see online that can help you lose weight overnight or in a matter of weeks. Turns out it's not a new phenomenon. Advertisement of miracle weight loss cures can be seen early in the 20th century. Kitty Von Tastique is a vintage girl with a passion for health and wellness. She's the Wellness editor for Vintage Life Magazine and this week takes you through diets of the past! 

Picture this. You're wearing your favourite summer vintage outfit, the sun is out, you're with friends and it feels like you are flying. This week we are virtually travelling over bridges, past windmills in one of the most picturesque countries in the world. We are going Roller Skating in the Netherlands with the Rollin' Ragdolls. Find out how skating and vintage goes hand in hand and have a bit of fun along the way! 

Start your engines. Picture your dream vintage camper trailer and get ready to go on an across country road trip of the United States of America. The third stop on our virtual vintage voyage is California to meet Paul Lacitinola from Vintage Camper Trailers. Prepare yourself! If you don't want a vintage caravan now, you probably will after you hit play! 

Time for stop two on our virtual vintage voyage around the world for the month of June. When you think of Art Deco architecture what city comes to mind? Was it somewhere in America or Europe. What about Shanghai? Thanks to international architectures in the mid 20th century the Chinese city has some hidden Art Deco gems that are being bought to the worlds attention thanks partly to Patrick Cranley from Shanghai Art Deco. Hit play and learn more

For the month of June we are going on a virtual vintage voyage around the world. Pack a suitcase and get your passport ready because we are travelling to far flung places to meet incredible retro folk. Our first stop is Barcelona Spain. Say Hola to the beautiful Miss Sixties Twist! 

Just how big is your collection of vinyl records? Whether you have 1 or 1000 have you ever thought about what it would be like to take your favourites to a groovy bar and spend the night behind the turntables playing DJ! With the Melbourne Record Club you can thanks to Leif van den Dungen! 

Ok so would you class 3150BC as vintage? Because that's where we are going in this weeks episode. In fact we are going to straddle ancient Egypt, 1800's America and the 1920's. It sounds impossible but Dr Colleen Darnell does it with ease. She loves old stuff and we loved talking to her about being an Egyptologist with a 1920's flare!

We've decided to run away and join the circus. To join a troupe of daring, dangerous and delightful performers. And our leader is the incredible Adele La Belle, the pint sized pinup and Hula Hoop artist. This week we discover how vintage, pinup competitions, psychobilly, Olympic coaches and Hula Hoop all come together to create one pretty fabulous retro life!