Hearts & Kisses & Boobies

Here are some vintage hearts and kisses direct from 1973, specifically, Australian Vogue’s August issue. (Can you believe it cost only 75¢?!)

First up is the cover, shot by long-time Aussie Vogue photographer Patrick Russell. The credits read: Springtime, dreamtime. A whole new world of feninbine fashion to choose from. Fresh new pastel colouring to influence a new and beautiful you … The makeup is by Coty, the chiffon scarf imported by department store David Jones, the pintucked smock top is by Marimekko, and the pièce de la résistance, the ‘romantic heart-shaped sunglasses’ were created for Vogue by Sunrelax. The translucent plastic is very pretty.

Now this French Fontarel cosmetics ad titled ‘Jacqueline Matthieu's mouth’ did catch my eye (for obvious reasons), the first time I flicked through the magazine in a secondhand bookstore in country Victoria. But recently my French-speaking Swiss friend flicked through it and read aloud:

‘Jacqueline Matthieu’s mouth is not the mouth of a professional model. It’s the mouth of a French woman …’

What a scream! I was so amused I asked her to translate the rest just for your edification:

‘How is it that French women always look so beautiful, so elegant? It's because French women understand the art of makeup. In France, the name Fontarel is well known. Fontarel cosmetics are ever so pure, so fresh, so natural, so beautiful. Like French women. However, they are not just any cosmetics. No. Even in France they are exclusive. And now, Fontarel cosmetics can be found in Australia. We have the lipsticks and our selection include eye shadows, mascara, foundation and powder. Fontarel cosmetics. Now on sale in selected chemists and shops.’

The last picture, covered in kisses (not my own), is the back cover of the magazine, and features an illustration by one of my favourite vintage fashion illustrators, René Gruau, for Christian Dior’s aftershave Eau Sauvage. (Read about Gruau here. I’ve also posted pictures from a monograph I have on him – click here to view.)

Click here to see ‘The New-Skirted You’ one of the fashion shoots featured in this issue of Vogue.