It's definitely been a while since I've posted here. I'm starting anew, though. I've deleted all of the past entries -- especially since In-Country is not only going to be receiving a complete makeover, but is also on hiatus, as well -- and am prepared to start fresh.

On that note, I am going to introduce an idea for a new original novel that I've been playing around with lately. I came up with this randomly while I was in the shower about two or three weeks ago.

I want to start writing a novel about a young American fashion model in the Sixties. I was thinking of writing it in epistolary form, mainly her diary entries, but possibly newspaper/magazine clippings and letters too, and it would basically be an account of her experiences as a model, her travels, her accomplishments and downfalls, etc. In my head, I have her working in London, thus a little more popular there (obviously, since London was the mecca of the 'Swinging Sixties'). I also have her going out with a member of a fictional English mod band who I've been calling The Shades (name is definitely subject to change; I don't really like it that much, but I thought of it off the top of my head), and whose fame is ... well. Let's just say they're known well internationally, but The Beatles and The Rolling Stones are in no danger of being knocked out of the top ten, lol.

I've been toying with this idea for a while and I think I definitely might want to write it. It's a big change from my usual Vietnam-centered pieces, but I think it could work.

So, while the fashion and cosmetic industry of the Sixties is a huge interest of mine, I'm still in the process of learning more about it. I've been to tons of sites about it, but I was wondering if any of you knew of any really helpful and/or historically accurate websites, books, etc. that would expand my knowledge of that aspect of pop culture back then, and make my story historically accurate, too. I would really, really appreciate it.

All of my Vietnam-centered pieces I seem to be taking a break from, because I haven't made any headway in months, and this is something new and fresh, and not only that, but it shows that, while I can't seem to shake the realm of the Sixties from my writing, I can write about something that doesn't significantly involve Vietnam, lol. So, this will be an interesting ride, to say the least.

I'm serious about this one, by the way. That's such a cliche phrase for me now, but I really am.

Anyway, any and/or all feedback would really be terrific. Like I said, I'd appreciate it very much. If you're planning on commenting just to say, "I like the idea," then don't bother. That doesn't help me. Perhaps it'll give me a little bit of an ego boost, but it obviously won't assist me with research, or making any type of progress with the story. Sorry if I sound like a bitch, but an ego inflation isn't really what I'm looking for -- not even a little one. Unless you're saying you like it in a helpful comment. Then it obviously won't bother me. ;)

Excuse the sentence fragments, as well.

Here are some examples of what I'm looking for with the research help and knowledge expansion, some more specific than others. Some of these I already know a little bit about, but am looking for more.

1. Where were some 'hot spots' for fashion, modeling, etc. in the Sixties, and why were they so popular for this? (Don't just give me, "because it was Paris," or "because it was London." They're big cities, that's a given. But were there big names in fashion that lived and/or worked there? Were these cities home to renowned modeling agencies, cosmetic companies and franchises, or famous magazines? Was there a famous model that hailed from that area? That's the type of thing I'm looking for with that question.)

2. In what ways could my character (who still remains nameless) have achieved her fame? Or, more simply put, if she happened to be some small-town American girl, what would she have had to do in the world of fashion to become known internationally, and approximately how long would this process take?

3. What modeling agencies, clothing, shoes, cosmetics, etc. companies might recruit her to represent them? (Make sure you're historically accurate with this information, as well. For example, Ralph Lauren did not exist in the Sixties, and GAP was not founded until 1969.)

4. What type of 'connections' might my character have to have to become known? Who would she have to associate with and where would she have to go to to be seen?

5. How much were models paid in the Sixties? Did it depend on stature, age, race, nationality, what they were modeling for, etc.?

6. Did aspiring models put together portfolios to be sent to modeling agencies back then? If so, what types of photographs might they submit, and where would they send them?

7. If my character had a certain 'look,' might she model for some companies more than others, or would it matter?

8. What brand names in fashion and cosmetics were big in the Sixties? Which ones were not as popular, but were still known and perhaps purchased internationally? Which ones were only known nationally? Which ones weren't popular at all? (If you were planning to answer any of these, you don't have to answer them all, if you're only familiar with one or two.)

9. Who were some famous or not-so-famous American and/or European models of the decade? Might my character have associated and/or become friends with any of them? (More importantly, would it infringe on any copyright issues if I were to include them in my story?)

10. Would my character have to go to some type of school, or 'study' fashion and cosmetics to better achieve fame?

I'm sure that all sounds like a lot to ask, but I really would appreciate any information that you have or have access to, especially if it answers any of those questions. But if it doesn't, that's okay, too. Any and all information would be in some way helpful to me. Websites, books, even movies if you know of any in particular, would be really fantastic.

Thanks very much in advance, and I'll keep you updated with my progress in this story. :)

<3 Sarah