Wednesday, July 28, 2021

Garbo, and odds and ends

Before I dive into Greta Garbo, I just want to quickly report on a recent day trip to Montpelier, VT with my partner whose birthday it was, and who wanted to check out the used record store and vintage clothing store -- not only still there, but increased in size! The record store is called Buch Spieler Records, and now, the separate vintage clothing store next door is called The Getup Vintage. Both are on little Langdon Street. If you want to shop for antique furniture and housewares, keep walking down the same street to J. Langdon.


                                                                    Buch Spieler Records


                                                                J. Langdon antiques




Outside the Getup Vintage


During what is turning out to be a continuing pandemic during which travel remains risky, I like that Vermont, the most fully-vaccinated state in the union, has plenty to offer this summer. The vibe in Montpelier remains very chill, with plenty of small shops and restaurants to keep one entertained. We had lunch on the Winooski river at an Italian Restaurant before the skies opened up (again). 

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More odds and ends: 

Shoes displayed on vertical wooden pallets at Uplifting Thrifting, White River Junction, VT

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And now for Greta Garbo. One way to "connect" the day trip with the Swedish actress is via the sunglass display. Garbo along with other stars were and are known to cover their eyes with shades. The reasons why seem obvious, to hide what is not their natural beauty because they have not spent hours in the make-up room. Because the beauty that you see on the screen is so photoshopped that the real life person may look very different. Because they are aging and don't want people to see. Because they need to maintain their "aura" (merci monsieur Barthes/Mythologies/"Garbo's Face). 



I have been fascinated with her face since I was young. I notice that it has been "changed" for the Hollywood industry, no more natural eyebrows, no more curly hair.  I realize that the "face" that fascinates me is frozen in time, as she achieved mythological status by disappearing, by her absence rather than her presence. A number of cultural critics have written about her, which reassures me that my fascination is shared by many. I just needed someone to refer to when wearing my newest vintage acquisition, a green silk suit from "Nancy the Girl," in White River Junction. (see https://fringarde.blogspot.com/2021/07/another-vintage-clothing-store-opens-in.html)

I found a felt hat to complete the Garbo look. When the weather cools again, I might find the courage to wear it. As for the shoes. TBD. 

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