We go back to the 50s with retro Kerri
AS I walk down the street with Kerri Layton, heads turn, people take sneaky photos and one passerby even stops us to say that we look like we’ve just stepped out of a film set.
They have a point. With our classic Victory roll hairstyles, vintage dresses and retro make-up, we look like we’ve time travelled straight out of 1953,
Coronation year.
To celebrate the
Jubilee, 1950s obsessive Kerri has given me a makeover fit for a royal.
Jazz singer Kerri,
37, has been a fan of the era for more than 15 years and it was the sense of hope for the future following the end of the Second World
War that made the early 1950s such a fascinating time.
“There was no more war and we had Victory in
Europe,” she says.
“Times were still hard, we had some rationing. But despite this, all the loss, trauma and hardship British people went through really meant the silver screen movie icons and the new jazz records being played provided much-needed escapism and a sense of hope.”
Looking around Kerri’s home, it’s clear to see the influence the time period has on her. She points out a lot of her retro items, from a fridge to a radio, as well as artwork and a lamp from the early 1950s.
“A lot of the original appliances are too fragile and need restoring, so a lot of the stuff needs to be reproductions,” Kerri explains. “However, I do have an amazing vintage Roberts radio. I listen to it more than I watch TV.
“I even have a cute, tea trolley which I up-cycled myself. It’s perfect for mini tea parties.”
But first, Kerri has to help me look the part. Her wardrobe is packed full of stunning outfits and I pick out a strapless navy blue and white wiggle dress.
Now to turn me into a 1953 pin-up.
Foundation and powder are followed by rouge and a wing of black eyeliner.
Then using bobby pins she curls my hair. All dressed up and ready to celebrate, Kerri and I set up bunting in her kitchen and get her tea trolley, complete with beautiful floral china loaned from the Walpole Hotel in Margate, known for hosting vintage events.
“The Queen is like everybody’s grandma,” says Kerri. “She’s what most of us in this country has known for all our lives.”
Kerri takes part in 1950s cabaret and burlesque performances and also runs her own music company. Visit dixiebirdrecords.com for info.