1950s Vintage Style Photography

Vanity Fair Celebrates the 1950s with a Nostalgic Lookbook

Vanity Fair Magazine is paying tribute to fashion from each decade with a series of new VF100 Lookbooks, such as ‘The Nifty 50s’ lookbook featuring 50s vintage photography. Vanity Fair pays homage to a variety of different looks from the blonde to the Nuclear family housewife. No 50s look is left unexplored with these nostalgic, mostly black and white photos.

For example, the Greaser look that was made iconic in John Travolta’s portrayal of Danny Zuko in Grease, is featured with a shot of a rebellious youth mugging for the camera. And where would the 1950s be without the beloved Marilyn Monroe? The sex goddess of the 50s slides under the ‘Hollywood Beauty’ category, with a sensual shot of the late actress dabbing some perfume. The voluptuous Bettie Page also gets a mention for her famous Pin-Up girl look that battled the 1950s conservatism. All these looks and more can be found in ‘The Nifty 1950s’ Vanity Fair collection Lookbook.

Vintage-inspired Photography
Opportunities for photographers to innovate with modern takes on vintage fashion photography.
Decade-based Fashion Tributes
Opportunities for fashion brands to capitalize on nostalgia by paying tribute to fashion from previous decades in their marketing materials.
Reviving Iconic Looks
Opportunities for beauty and hair brands to revive and modernize iconic looks from past decades for a new generation.

Who This Affects Most

Photography
With an increased interest and appreciation for vintage-inspired photography, photographers who specialize in this style may experience a surge in demand.
Fashion
Fashion brands can create successful marketing campaigns by tapping into nostalgia and paying tribute to fashion from previous decades, such as the 1950s.
Beauty/hair
Beauty and hair brands have the opportunity to revive and modernize iconic beauty looks from past decades, such as the Marilyn Monroe or Bettie Page look, for a new generation.
SCORE
5.5 out of 10
GENDER
30% Men70% Women
MARKETTop markets: North America, Europe
GENERATION
  • Gen Z
  • Gen Alpha
  • Millennial (primary audience)
  • Gen X (primary audience)
POPULARITY
Popularity 87%
Activity 70%
Freshness 8%

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