WASPs

Women Air Force Service Pilots By: Hella Goode Although the term usually brings to mind images of pointy-headed individuals, WASP does not always refer to a White Anglo Saxon Protestant, but in this case, something way more exciting. WASP refers to the Women Air force Service Pilots who bravely served their country during World War II. When Rosie the Riveter was queen and women were taking the place... [Read more]

Legends: Josephine Baker

Editor’s note: Our very own Hella Goode has her very first book out (under her legal name, of course)! We couldn’t be more proud of her! You’ll check it out, won’t you? 101 Mexico City Travel Tips Legends: Josephine Baker Story: Hella Goode When Frida Kahlo painted her double self-portrait, the Two Fridas, she couldn’t possibly have been imagining that she would meet another Frida... [Read more]

Herstory of Bloomers

By: Hella Goode Maybe my next piece should be the history of gossip and misconceptions. It appears that Amelia Bloomer is not the inventor of bloomers. I repeat, Amelia Bloomer did not invent Bloomers. A woman named Elizabeth Smith Miller did in the late 1840’s to early 1850’s. So then why does Amelia Bloomer get all the credit? Amelia Bloomer did not create the first pair of bloomers, but she... [Read more]

History of Perfume

By: Hella Goode Perfumes have been around since the development of recreation and civilization and not just the mere search for food, sex, and shelter. And, thank goodness, we took the time do take care of our odor needs. Over the centuries people have made taking a bath a more frequent activity, but this was not always the case. Imagine au natural smelling au natural….it wouldn’t likely... [Read more]

Dia de los Muerto (Day of the Dead): A History

Dia de los Muerto celebration in Mexico In the last few years, the US, particularly Texas and California, have taken notice of the Mexican celebration known as Dia de los Muerto, or the Day of the Dead. Cavaleras (or skulls) that are brightly decorated, or skeletons wearing clothing and engaging in activities- playing music, getting married, etc., have become popular imagery for clothing and accessories.... [Read more]

New Orleans Burlesque, Then and Now

New Orleans Burlesque Festival 2009 Flyer. Courtesy of Rick Delaup Story: Divertida Devotchka, Photos: Courtesy of Rick Delaup Some of the biggest acts in burlesque will be appearing September 11 through the 13 at the New Orleans Burlesque Festival. The festival is the first of its kind in New Orleans since 2001’s Tease-O-Rama, and it’s shaping up to be one of the biggest burlesque happenings... [Read more]

Herstory of Masquerades

By Hella Goode The function of a mask can seem obvious-to hide. People use them to hide emotions, to hide their acts, or to hide their identity. Throughout human civilizations, from ancient Africa, long ago Mesopotamia, the Maya and other indigenous groups in the Americas, and Asia, people have used masks for religious ceremonies, theatrical performances, and one must assume that when a mask is covered... [Read more]

History of Lipstick

By Hella Goode I remember as a girl, my mother refusing to leave the house without “putting on her face.” Who would want to see their mother without a face? I waited patiently for her to make herself into her version of beautiful. Have red lips always been a sexy, fashionable feature? Most of us picture a healthy face as one with rosy pink cheeks and soft, red lips. Subconsciously these... [Read more]

Gypsy Rose Lee

 by Hella Goode “You Can’t Have Everything.” Maybe Gypsy Rose Lee heard this a few times in her life. After all, this Aquarius, born Rose Louise Hovick on Thursday, February 9, 1911 in Seattle, (although later she would claim to have been born three years after in 1914). Circumstances and opportunities for women at the time were scarce. It seemed the stage, however, was the exception. Rose’s... [Read more]

History of Pin-up

By Shoshana Portnoy Instead of repeating what I’ve already said, check out my short, vital history on American pin-up on my site!  Read More →