Saturday, March 26, 2011

Singapore Pop 60s Fashion On Vinyl Covers (Part I)




15,000+ readers on
this posting alone.  

SINGAPORE FASHION AMONG CHINESE POP 60's ARTISTES:

Ladies fashion in the 60s seems to focus on colours and tones but less on accessories. Dresses are elegant and evening gowns are usually full-skirted. For casual wear, the ladies have British fashion guru Mary Quant's mini-skirt for leggy jaunts. And the word 'mini' comes from the iconic 60s Cooper mini-car. 

Compared with their sisters in the West, our local Chinese pop singers dress conservatively when appearing on the covers of the vinyl they publicize. Sakura, Frances Yip, Mona Fong and Carrie Ku Mei (images) look resplendent with their pleasing, eye-catching and fashionable dress sense. 

The light purplish dress with fluffy puffed sleeves that Sakura wears, is either for a concert or nightclub act. Note her bee-hive hairdo. Is she over-dressed? Not really. Carrie Koo Mei and Mona Fong are also ready for a formal evening concert in a darker purple cheongsam with psychedelic prints (?) to woo audiences with their stage presence and songs. I love their simple but charmingly styled hair and stilettos. 

A very young Frances Yip appears set for a stroll in the park with her short, captivating sun-hewed print mini. Perhaps she's ready to sing a twist or shake 60s hit during a tea-dance. Or is she?
Then the Bunga Sakura (trans: flower) above. Now whether they finally put her on a vinyl cover she recorded is a question to ask. But I do find her garb a little heavy. Like they say, though, one man's meat...

One very outstanding vinyl and I have reproduced it whole, is the cowgirl in a simple light-coloured blouse and dark pants with boots to match. Very outstanding, especially with the bee-hive hair to add height. But the holsters and plastic guns are a wee bit too small in comparison.

I am no expert, so do write in if you are familiar with Singapore 60's dress code and comment on the fashion sense then. 

For those interested in the Chinese record covers above: 

Image 1: Sakura COLUMBIA/EMI ECHK. 614. 
Image 2: Frances Yip LIFE RECORDS/EP 2092. 
Image 3: Carrie Koo Mei and Mona Fong PATHE/EMI: 7EPA-206.
Image 4: Sakura again but without a vinyl cover. The background looks similar.
Image 5: An odd one out. A Chinese cowgirl outfit from 60's.

Images/original article: Andy Lim.

26 comments:

ANDY: Pop Music Not Pills. © said...

Thanks to all the kind folks who's joined the 'Followers' group.

I hope I can keep on going. It's not easy though.

Roger said...

The cheongsam was and is elegance par excellence and in the right body shape, sexiness exemplified.

ANDY: Pop Music Not Pills. © said...

Especially if it's worn by a beautiful singer adequately highlighted on stage. It just enhances her whole being.

The band accompaniment and voice quality complete the perfect Singapore 60s diva.

Latest Punjabi Music said...

i have followed your blog also

ANDY: Pop Music Not Pills. © said...

Thank you for visiting. You have a fresh and invigorating blog. I am learning some Punjabi music too.

Unknown said...

Andy could spearhead a renaissance of the cheongsam in Singapore.

ANDY: Pop Music Not Pills. © said...

It's never gone out of fashion. Trouble is our ladies find it too form revealing.

As you commented earlier, ladies only look good only "in the right body shape."

Anyone know a song about the Cheongsam? In English or Chinese or any language?

Lam Chun See said...

I don't know about the fashion, but as far as the singing is concerned, I think the old timers were definitely better. My siblings and I were big fans of Ku Mei. Up till today; nobody could do 不了情 (Love without end) anywhere close to her standard.

Some songs should simply be left alone, don't you agree? E.g. American Pie. Bridge Over Troubled Waters.

ANDY: Pop Music Not Pills. © said...

You are right Chun See. Ku Mei's rendition of 'Endless Love' surpasses those of many female singers.

Songs are usually associated with the singer's interpretation of the composition.

Thank you for bringing us back to this blog's focus - 60s music. Fashion only comes along the way.

Anonymous said...

Of course the ladies on record-sleeves are well-dressed! However, from the photos I've seen, my grandma (and other older ladies) was dressed in 'sam-foo' (a loose-fitting top and pants set) in the 1960s. The younger people (like my mom and dad) were dressed more fashionably (think Elvis and Twiggy).

ANDY: Pop Music Not Pills. © said...

Thank you for the comment and visit.

Like I've explained, I am no expert with fashion and appreciate your reminder about young folks in the 60s dressing like Elvis and Twiggy.

All six images on the 2 postings about clothes are fashion from CHINESE record covers.

You must agree their fashion style is different, an 'off-shoot' perhaps of their Western counterpart.

I am learning a lot from your blog.

ANDY: Pop Music Not Pills. © said...

From yesterday.sg:

Posted by: Princess Road
Posted on: April 8th, 2011

I remember seeing photos of my grandma in the 1960s dressed in sam-foo (high-collared short-sleeve top and loose flowing pants) all the time.

Only the younger people were more fashion-conscious, thanks to Hollywood and Hong Kong movies!

Dogcom said...

Sakura I would say was a Diva of that era.

ANDY: Pop Music Not Pills. © said...

She was, Dogcom, the hot, sexy one. But personally I prefer Rita Chao, the quiet, sensual one.

Thanks for visiting.

Anonymous said...

Posted by: Bintan
Posted on: April 11th, 2011

That's actually a very nice dress in the picture, I think it has dated quite well : )

Anonymous said...

Posted by: bajar de peso abdomen
Posted on: April 13th, 2011

It brings back memories of my grandparents showed me pictures and they were dressed like this. Thanks for the good memories. Excellent post!

Anonymous said...

Posted by: ch3sT#+R
Posted on: May 24th, 2011

ilovegladys

Anonymous said...

Posted by: chesterfromrvhs
Posted on: May 24th, 2011

ilovegladysstill!

Anonymous said...

Dated: 22nd June, 2011

Most Popular Posts from yesterday.sg:

1.Tanjong Pagar Railway Station tours (3676 views)
2. Tanjong Pagar Railway Station Tour (1627 views)
3.Best places to catch the last train (1256 views)
4. Local 60s pop icon fashions (961 views)
5.A slice of Singapore's transport history (901 views)

ANDY: Pop Music Not Pills. © said...

Thanks to everyone who commented on this particular blog, highlighted at yesterday.sg

Appreciate all your feedback. Big thanks also to noelbynature who's been doing this for some time now.

Number four with nearly 1000 reads. Not too bad.

Anonymous said...

8th April 20 11:
'Local 60s Pop Icon Fashions'
Posted by 'noelbynature' under Lifestyle, people (6) Comments: 1463 Reads

I suppose style is evergreen, but fashion tastes changes from time to time. Taking the cue from pop record vinyl covers of the 1960s, Andy surveys the fashion tastes of men and women of that time.

What about the men? Of course, there’s a post about men’s fashion as well, and you can read about them on another posting.

JimLim35 said...

I'm a fan of the Singapore scene from the 60's. I have some collection on vinyls but its very difficult to find now. I used to go to Sungei Road where this gentleman by the name of George has old vinyls and if you are lucky you may find some EPs. But where is the flea market relocated to?

Robin Chan said...

So great to come across this blog accidentally. as a teenager during the sixties I love that era. Frankie Valli, Cliff, Elvis, Dusty Springfield, Beatles, CCR, Rolling Stones etc.. As for the local scene- Talk of the town, Babarella, Spot Spot, Ban Chuan Cafe, Orchard road car park hawker centre brings back great memories of such happy vibrant years! I scout around for old vinyl records and have quite a collection. I even have a phonograph to play them, working condition but of course.

ANDY: Pop Music Not Pills. © said...

Thanks Robin for your memories and visit. If you love this blog please recommend it to others.

FACEBOOK CHATS said...

Tan Ser Kiong
Later bare back dress & topless dress Twiggy style

Tan Ser Kiong hi, it's true. topless, not too sure. thanks ser kiong.

Freda Hanum
I still loved the olden days fashions, it represent those old golden days.. isn't it Andy

Freda Hanum hello, thanks for your greetings from two points. cheers. golden days and saturdays were always golden nights.

Andy Young
Author
I was told by two young ladies 60s fashion is back today. So here's fashion by 4 pop ago-go singers from that era. Guys clothes will come in another post. Rave on.

Andy Young
Author
Thanks Jimmy for the early 'like'. You are a true blue friend.

Jimmy Appudurai-chua
Andy Young bell bottoms and hipster trousers

Jimmy Appudurai-chua hello, yes, bells and hips. we used the term, 'cool chicks', remember. thanks jimmy.

Rose Khoo
The 60s was the era of mini skirts

Rose Khoo hi, mini skirts were so mini and with thin belts around the waitline.

Patricia Chew
I was so skinny then, lucky for me, Twiggy came on. How did the world get so fat today

Andy Young
Author
Patricia Chew hi, twiggy was a hit. the world is eating too much, i think. thanks for the reaction patricia.

FACEBOOK said...

THANKS GUYS FOR LIKING THIS POST
Patricia Chew
Ho Victor
Tan Ser Kiong
Rose Khoo
Freda Hanum
Joey Koh
Jimmy Appudurai-chua
Clifton Ang
Michael Huang
Ivan Loh
Jimalifnur Mohamed
Suan Ching Chew
Patrick S H Tan
Elizabeth Clare Surin
Rosemary Lim
Francis Arios
Angeline Lee
Daniel Tan
Louis Ho
Weera Chak