A Summer to Remember: Relaxing on the Banks of the Seine in 1967

During the 1960s, the banks of the Seine served as the ultimate sanctuary for Parisians seeking a slow-paced escape from the city’s post-war modernization. This era captured a unique “joie de vivre,” where the riverbanks were not yet dominated by heavy traffic or massive tourism.

On sunny afternoons, the stone quays were dotted with students from the Sorbonne, young lovers, and solitary readers, all basking in the gentle reflection of the water. Men in slim-fit trousers and women in chic shift dresses or simple capri pants would sit with their legs dangling over the edge, often accompanied by a transistor radio, a sketchbook, or a simple picnic of baguette and wine.

The atmosphere was one of effortless cool and bohemian freedom, a timeless scene where the rhythmic flow of the river matched the unhurried spirit of a generation defining its own sense of leisure. These vintage photos capture people relaxing on the banks of the Seine in 1967.

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Dolly Parton Photographed by Mario Casilli, 1987

In 1987, the renowned celebrity photographer Mario Casilli captured an iconic series of portraits of Dolly Parton. These photographs were primarily used as publicity shots for her ABC prime-time variety series, simply titled Dolly!, which debuted in September 1987.

One of the most recognized images from this session features Parton in a custom pink gown created by the Western Costume Co., with her hair styled by David Blair. Casilli’s work during this period is celebrated for its high-glamour aesthetic, characterized by soft lighting and vibrant colors that epitomized the 1980s celebrity style.

Mario Casilli was famous for his ability to make stars look their most glamorous, and his 1987 collaboration with Parton remains a definitive visual representation of her “80s era” persona.

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30 Beautiful Portraits of European Women in Kimonos From the Early 1900s

During the early 1900s, Europe was swept by a craze known as Japonisme, a profound fascination with Japanese art, culture, and fashion.

For Western women of the Belle Époque, the Japanese kimono became the ultimate symbol of exotic luxury and artistic rebellion. Departing from the restrictive, bone-corseted silhouettes of Victorian and Edwardian fashion, high-society women embraced the kimono as a “tea gown” or dressing robe. Its loose, flowing lines and vibrant silk embroideries, often featuring motifs like cranes, cherry blossoms, and chrysanthemums, offered a sense of freedom and avant-garde style. Renowned painters of the era, such as Gustav Klimt and James Tissot, frequently depicted their muses draped in these silken garments, cementing the kimono's status as a staple of the “Bohemian” and “Orientalist” aesthetic.

This trend was not merely about clothing, it represented a bridge between East and West, where the traditional Japanese garment was reinterpreted as a modern statement of elegance and cosmopolitanism.

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When Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie Riding Around Vietnam’s Southern Ho Chi Minh City on a Motorcycle in 2006

In November 2006, one of the most famous couples in Hollywood history, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, surprised the world, and the people of Ho Chi Minh City, by appearing as ordinary tourists. Their visit has since become a legendary piece of “Brangelina” lore in Vietnam.

The couple arrived unannounced on Wednesday, November 22, 2006, flying in from Cambodia. They stayed at the Park Hyatt Hotel in District 1, but rather than using a fleet of black SUVs or heavy security, they chose to blend in.

On Thanksgiving Day, November 23, they decided to explore the city like locals. Pitt rented a Yamaha Nouvo, a common automatic scooter in Vietnam at the time. Passersby were stunned to see “Mr. & Mrs. Smith” weaving through Saigon’s chaotic, buzzing traffic. Pitt drove while Jolie sat behind him, both dressed in casual clothes and sunglasses.

They were spotted driving past the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Building (City Hall), through the city center, and eventually heading toward Ben Thanh Market for some shopping. When a reporter from the Tuoi Tre newspaper asked if he was worried about the “chaotic” traffic, Pitt simply smiled and replied, “There will be no problem.”

The couple spent their evening at Temple Club, a popular restaurant on Ton That Thiep Street converted from an old temple. They reportedly enjoyed a quiet dinner, with Brad describing Vietnam as “wonderful.”

Beyond sightseeing, this trip laid the groundwork for their deep connection to the country. During this visit, they stopped at the Tam Binh Orphanage in Thu Duc. It was here that they first met a three-year-old boy named Pham Quang Sang, whom Angelina Jolie would officially adopt a few months later in early 2007, renaming him Pax Thien.

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This Whaling Suit From Greenland, Made Sometime Before 1834

This whaling suit from Greenland, crafted sometime before 1834, reflects the ingenuity and resourcefulness of the Inuit people. Designed for the harsh Arctic environment, it allowed hunters to remain dry and insulated while navigating icy waters during dangerous sea hunts. Every element of the suit was carefully considered for practicality and protection, ensuring the wearer could focus on hunting without succumbing to hypothermia.

Constructed entirely from sealskin, the suit was both flexible and durable. Its central opening allowed the hunter to crawl inside, after which the hole was tightly secured to create a nearly waterproof seal. This simple yet effective design demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of materials and environmental challenges, turning natural resources into life-saving technology.

Today, the suit is preserved at the National Museum of Denmark, serving as a testament to Inuit craftsmanship and survival skills. Beyond its practical use, it offers a glimpse into the daily lives and ingenuity of Arctic communities, highlighting how cultural knowledge and adaptation were crucial for thriving in one of the world’s most extreme climates.

30 Fascinating Photos of Susanna Hoffs of the Bangles in the 1980s

Susanna Hoffs (born January 17, 1959) was arguably the ultimate “girl with a guitar” icon of the 1980s. She co-founded the all-female rock band the Bangles in Los Angeles in 1981 alongside sisters Vicki and Debbi Peterson. Originally part of the “Paisley Underground” scene, the band transitioned from garage rock to mainstream pop-rock success through three multi-platinum albums.

The band achieved massive success with the album Different Light, featuring the Prince-penned hit “Manic Monday” (No. 2) and the global chart-topper “Walk Like an Egyptian.” In the “Walk Like an Egyptian” music video, Hoffs’ side-to-side eye movement became an iconic 1980s visual; she later revealed it was a subconscious habit she used to combat stage fright.

In 1988, she co-wrote and sang the power ballad “Eternal Flame,” which reached No. 1 in nine countries. Despite their success, internal tensions regarding the media's focus on Hoffs as the “lead singer” led to the band's dissolution at the end of the decade.

Hoffs was celebrated for a singing style that blended “pep, coy sweetness, and an occasional plaintive resonance.” As a guitarist, she favored 1960s-inspired “jangly” sounds, helping to revive the pop-rock aesthetic of that era. Beyond her music, she was a major 1980s fashion icon, known for her tousled hair and chic, laid-back wardrobe.

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Piper Laurie: From Hollywood Starlet to Dramatic Powerhouse

Piper Laurie (1932–2023) was an American actress whose career spanned over seven decades, marked by her remarkable transition from a “red-headed starlet” to one of the most respected dramatic performers of her generation.

Initially cast by Universal Studios in decorative “ingenue” roles during the 1950s, most notably opposite Tony Curtis, Laurie famously grew frustrated with the lack of depth in her scripts and walked away from Hollywood to study acting in New York. This bold move paid off when she returned to the screen to deliver a searing, Oscar-nominated performance as Sarah Packard in The Hustler (1961). To younger generations, she is perhaps best known for her chilling portrayal of the fanatical mother, Margaret White, in the horror classic Carrie (1976), and for her captivating, Golden Globe-winning role as the villainous Catherine Martell in the cult TV series Twin Peaks.

Piper Laurie’s legacy is defined by her immense range, her fierce independence, and her ability to bring a haunting intensity to every character she portrayed. Take a look at these beautiful photos to see portraits of a young Piper Laurie.

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