Swimwear, Vintage Photo Contest
I have sent you some pics of my Dad who simply embodies the essence of Southern California style. Being a 5th generation Californian, I have always been in entranced the beautiful beach boy and girl myth and I love this picture. The West Coast really does have the sunshine and a certain style of it's own, No?To me, my grandmother, Françoise Gerondeau, is the most elegant and the funniest woman in the world.
In fact, that photo was taken during the Algerian War, in the late fifties. My Grandfather, who is French, had been mobilized. And just before his departure, he told my grandmother (they were dating for a year) that he didn’t love her and that he would never marry her.
But she’s very stubborn, and she asked her brother to take photos of her during their vacations, so that she could send them to my grandfather, and he would fall in love again.
The photo you see can testify.
Isn’t it childish? To me that story defines exactly my grandmother.
That photo must have a great power, since when my grandfather came back, they got married.
I wish I had a picture of my grandfather, he was very alluring and elegant too. I think that my aesthetic taste comes from the observation of my grandparents. Both of them really represent a model to me.
In fact, that photo was taken during the Algerian War, in the late fifties. My Grandfather, who is French, had been mobilized. And just before his departure, he told my grandmother (they were dating for a year) that he didn’t love her and that he would never marry her.
But she’s very stubborn, and she asked her brother to take photos of her during their vacations, so that she could send them to my grandfather, and he would fall in love again.
The photo you see can testify.
Isn’t it childish? To me that story defines exactly my grandmother.
That photo must have a great power, since when my grandfather came back, they got married.
I wish I had a picture of my grandfather, he was very alluring and elegant too. I think that my aesthetic taste comes from the observation of my grandparents. Both of them really represent a model to me.
Comments on "Swimwear, Vintage Photo Contest"
I love this. She seems like both a graceful and sassy lady. Just the sort of woman I aspire to be.
To thin this was shot in the fifties, she was ahead of her time. She shows so much confidence, quite lovely!
your grandmother is officially my role model <3
Your grandmother is gorgeous-and smart! Thank you for sharing these photos.
that is one hot dad and grandmom!
I find people back then were more fashionable no?
Such an amazing post. The story seems to be taken from a movie haha. They both look great, I love the pictures!
Love this site,
seriously, your grandmother was beautiful! and your pops wasn't too shabby either!! such a lucky gene pool..
I absolutely love it! I have this obsession myself with vintage swim-wear. I'm all for the high waists and nautical look.
Helllloooo Daddy!
Gorgeous!
All of these vintage photos are just knocking me out and the stories add so much!
hottaaayyy
I love the first photo. He really DOES embody the beach boy look. Wow!
My vote goes to gran Gerondeau. I think a man would be crazy not to go back to a woman like her, bold, beautiful and strong headed...
This is my favorite yet.
Fantastic stories and photos!
Those are really beautiful photos there! And the stories behind them make them even more special :)
Stories are meant to be shared. Thank you!
this woman was very very stylish and elegant!
her pose qnd the gesture of looking herself in the mirror.... the picture is gorgeous, and digne d'être scotchée sur un mood board....
Scott! Talk about amazing genes! You have such beautiful family members!
Beautiful picture. Love the story! I also had a stylish grandmother, she sew all her dresses, and was an important role model for me. Style never goes out of date!
That photo of your grandmother is amazing!
what a romantic story - and such a beautiful picture. i love the vintage style of old southern california but i think modern day cali conjures up too many images of plasticity
Your grandmother lools such a gorgeous lady. The centuries gone by definately knew how to pull of effortless style.
What a gorgeous family! Great genes and STYLE.
thank you for such a wonderful blog post concept. brilliant! i love hearing the stories of these family members.
This is really cool Scott. I'm loving this
I love old California, small modest houses, overgrown shrubbery, classic cars with black license plate, and trim, tan men with short shorts!! Let's bring it back!
I admire the persistence of your grandmother. I really can't imagine any young man doing this. lol
I am loving these vintage photos....smiles.
loved both pic, btw R O C K I N G bod at the first one tho.
Great story and photos!
All these photos are great, and the accompanying stories are so endearing.
The story to the second photo added so much to it. I loved it!
Such a beautiful story. *sigh*
These people have amazing bodies. what great role models
Wow, gorgeous--the both of them. They make elegance seem effortless; theirs probably was.
What a delight this contest is! Lucky you to see ALL the photos. All you have posted are simply wonderful!
Love the story behind the photo!
and and and ! your dad has a hot bod!
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I love vintage photos. They're magic.
Love
S
i really love vintage photos!
she is totally a elegant and beautfiul woman!!
nice sharing!
i absolutely love this idea of vintage photos with a story behind it.
keep em coming, this is wonderful :)
XERB
Ok, that story blew my mind.
Your grandmother is a hero for persevering and staying true to her gut and risking it on a man who didn't love her. No wonder he married her. If I had gone to war and been through terror and violence, I would want to spend the rest of my life with someone strong and loving and brave by my side.
This contest was such a great idea Scott, the photos that you've shown us so far are so inspiring.
real Californain style! Love those pics!
Scott,
All these amazing vintage photographs and their respective stories need to be produced & immortalised in a book.
Thanks for this wonderful story, it really touched me :'(
Your grandmother is beautiful, mine is my model too ! :)
Love the provenance and how the youth is captured in time. The mens shorts are well cool, they are so now. Check out Franks Australia shorts, which are 1950s inspired...
What a beautiful story, and what a beautiful woman! Like a mermaid. I agree with the poster on Southern California style.
The image of your father absolutely personifies the California mystique of yesteryear. The muscle cars with lots of chrome. Surfer boys and girls. Endless summer. Nostalgia at its finest.
Beautiful pictures!!
Geez your dad was in shape. Whoooo....!!!!!!!
wow i absolutely love this... and such a wonderful story!
The photo of your father is fantastic. Of all the photos I have ever seen this has to be one of my favourite. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for sharing these photos and ideas from your family!
The story of your grandmother's stick-to-it-ive-ness and patience is a wonderful notion.
In today's world of disposable fashion and fast-pace living, these posts are grounding and refreshing.
What a way to start my Sunday!
i am absolutely loving this contest!
i love seeing the beautiful photos and reading the stories that go with them.
what a great idea this contest is!
xo
Wow, the guy on top is such a great example of Cali style. The woman on the bottom has a wonderful story attached to her. Her beauty certainly shows through in these photos and I am glad he married her. xo
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this photo is unbelievable! what a charming woman.
Besides she looks so modern and her hair is perfect!
Wonderful DNA sir! :)
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Scott, I love the idea of this competition! It must be a win-win for you too, you get a whole load of free content and we all get to be amazed by these fantastic photos and stories!
Both photos show of some slamming bods! I can imagine a photo like the second causing quite a stir in the barracks!
Scott, I love your site, but I have never commented before. (My daughter gave me your book as a Christmas gift). I feel I must comment now, because I am so enjoying your vintage photo contest - each photo is so much fun for me to see. Thank you!
wowsa! cali dad got bangin' bod!
What a fabulous series, I think it's worthy of a blog of its own for all the wonderful stories and images it brings forth from people =) Thanks for putting these up!
You got my vote. It's that simple! :)
Beautiful picture, beautiful story. My grandmother's name is also Françoise, and I was lucky enough to be named after her. Thank you for sharing this.
lovely! and what a perfect name. why do i feel that everyone in old photos had so much more style and elegance?
If I were a guy in a foxhole I'd determine to marry her too.
I'm not sure what's more American classic about the first pic, your dad or that car.
Love your gran's look and story, but I must say that your pops' the one who's giving me hot flashes! I mean, talk about HOTNESS! It's quite clear now from where you've inherited your good looks. rs
WOW~Great picture, great lookin' woman, love the peeled down pants - the whole thing is incredible. Style IS genetic!
She is gorgeous!
it runs from genes isn't it?
a hot grandma and a hot dad.
Please show more pictures of this wonderful grandmother over the decades following this lovely scene by the water.
Wow, Both are great in its own way. I still think vintage wins compared to many of the modern trash.
What a great photo! Your grandmother is too funny, too!
you're grand mother is very beautiful!
the story of this photo is interesting!
and the courage and love of your grand mother to your grand father is amazing!
I bet,they became a wonderful couple! :)
Johny Bravo on the 1st photo! :)
my parents looked nothing like that!--lol. great pictures.