Tag Archives: California

Grannies on the Red Carpet, 2024

It’s not every day that older women can steal the show on the red carpet.  However, that was the case recently when Chang Li Hua and Yi Yan Fuei showed up in Hollywood dressed in custom Rodarte.  Vogue even took … Continue reading

Posted in 2020s | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

“Five Babushkas,” 1970s. A Photo by Rod Bradley

I’m slowly forgetting all the Russian I learned in my career as a historian of the Soviet Union. However, I do remember that the proper plural of the word babushka (grandmother) is babushki.  I suppose I should be glad that … Continue reading

Posted in 1970s | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

New Year’s Day at Ocean Beach in San Diego, 1918

Greeting the New Year with a dive into water is a tradition in many parts of the world.  In South America the water might be warm, while in Russia it is surely icy.  Although temperatures usually hover in the sixties … Continue reading

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Christmas Tamales, 1960

If you are lucky enough to live in an area where people have come from Mexico or Central America, you might know about the Christmas tamale tradition.  Although this sweet or savory confection is made for many different holidays, it … Continue reading

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Dottie Quinn–A Life in Pants

I love being able to follow a woman’s clothing choices from youth to age, sometimes possible when I stumble upon a family photo collection online.  That was the case for Sylvia Dorothy Quinn, known to all as Dottie.  Her husband, … Continue reading

Posted in 1940s, 1960s, 1980s, 2000s, General | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

First Prudential Outing, Los Angeles 1908

In 1908, it was not yet clear that Los Angeles would become the megalopolis that it is today. San Francisco was the dominant city in the state at the turn of the century, but things were beginning to change.  While … Continue reading

Posted in 1900s | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

New Year’s Eve, 1967

Where did the tradition of funny hats on New Year’s Eve come from? This shot of the the Hallberg family (from left to right–son, son’s wife, mother, father) shows that they endorse the idea enthusiastically. They all wear hats–and they … Continue reading

Posted in 1960s | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Hearts on their Sleeves–The Terno in Los Angeles

In what contexts do immigrants wear their native dress?  For Filipina women, the most distinctive item of clothing is the terno—a dress or set of matching separates with a much extended, wing-like upper sleeve, as seen in the picture above. … Continue reading

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Anna May Wong, Aging

By now, everyone must have heard that Chinese American actress Anna May Wong has earned a place on American quarters.  Key elements of her famous look, including the bangs and high eyebrows, remained with her as she aged.  The photo … Continue reading

Posted in 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, General | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Barbara Carrasco’s Censored Mural

California has the reputation of a progressive blue state, but that hasn’t always been the case.  As recently as 1981, the Los Angeles Community Rehabilitation Agency commissioned mural artist Barbara Carrasco to create a work to commemorate the 200th anniversary … Continue reading

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