Capote on Ice
28/01/2013 § 5 Comments
Admission: I’ve never been ice skating. I suppose I could blame it on growing up in Los Angeles, and my parents’ extreme aversion to a vacation spent anywhere other than a tropical climate — but since I am (technically?) an adult now, I really can only blame myself. Especially when New York City has so many beautiful places to tie on a pair of skates (see: Bryant Park, Central Park, Rockefeller Center, Chelsea Piers, the Standard Hotel). Perhaps I should make it a mini winter resolution of sorts to finally get myself on the ice.
Providing a bit of sartorial inspiration for my skating kit, Life Magazine photographer Alfred Eisenstaedt captured a 35 year-old Truman Capote skating at Rockefeller Center in 1959 — perhaps giving new dimension to his very famous bon mot, “New York is a diamond iceberg floating in river water.” I couldn’t find the article they correspond to, but I have to believe that Truman in his Fair Isle sweater is reason enough to call your attention to them.
All images via the Life Archive.
Where Do Santas Come From?
11/12/2012 § Leave a comment
In the early 60s, America’s “No.1 Santa” (of Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade fame) set up shop in Albion, New York and created the country’s only school of its kind, to certify Santas for department stores. These photos, taken for Life Magazine by Alfred Eisenstaedt of the graduating class of 1961, were too good not to share. After paying $75 and attending a five-day course, newly-minted Kris Kringles received a Santa’s Helper degree, well-armed with the history of Santa Claus, practice applying makeup and selecting costumes, and how to be properly jolly — even if they found a crier or a beard-puller on their lap. If you’d like to read the original article the photos were shot for, you can find it here.
All photos via the Life Archive.
Words || Richard Avedon
13/08/2012 § 2 Comments
Too good to not share.
Let’s promise to not wait for our Mondays anymore.
“I believe in maniacs. I believe in type As. I believe that you’ve got to love your work so much that it is all you want to do. I believe you must betray your mistress for your work, you betray your wife for your work; I believe that she must betray you for her work. I believe that work is the one thing in the world that never betrays you, that lasts. If I were going to be a politician, if I were going to be a scientist, I would do it every day. I wouldn’t wait for Monday. I don’t believe in weekends.
If you’re headed for a life that’s only involved with making money and that you hope for satisfaction somewhere else, you’re headed for a lot of trouble. And whatever replaces vodka when you’re 45 is what you’re going to be doing.”
Richard Avedon (1923 – 2004)
Photographed by Alfred Eisenstaedt in New York, 1963.
Image via the Life Archives.
Summer on the Cape
03/08/2012 § 1 Comment
For a perfect summer on the Cape, you’ll need some pretty sailboats, a few rainy bike rides, wavy fields of tall grass, a clambake on the beach, and an overloaded jalopy. For best results, serve over ice in a highball glass and garnish with a gaggle of Kennedys.
Photos by Alfred Eisenstaedt for Life Magazine, 1940. Via the Life Archive.
LIFE Archives: New Hampshire Girls’ ROTC, 1942
07/11/2011 § 1 Comment
All images via LIFE Archive.
LIFE Archives: Farewell at Penn Station
31/05/2011 § 2 Comments
Searching the LIFE Archives with Memorial Day at the front of my mind, I discovered these poignant images taken by LIFE photographer Alfred Eisenstaedt. Taken in 1943 and 1944 at the original Penn Station, these photographs capture servicemen saying goodbye to their wives, girlfriends and lady friends prior to shipping off for WWII. These kisses were meant to last until that happy day of reunion, but for some, they were destined to be a final farewell.
Quite Continental 