Tuesday, 30th August 1949

Dear Diary,

Phew! What a scorcher! The sun has been blazing this week, so Grace and I decided to escape from the salon and take a day trip to Brighton.  We awoke at the crack of dawn and packed a delicious picnic basket with cheese and pickle sandwiches, potted meats, celery sticks and a few cup cakes for good measure.  Grace insisted that we slipped a bottle of sherry into the basket to enjoy a cheeky tipple whilst sun bathing.  We caught the early train and giggled continuously throughout the journey, we were so looking forward to our jolly day at the beach! 

For the sake of modesty and convenient practicality I thought it prudent to wear swimsuits underneath one’s clothes. Upon our arrival at the beach we simply slipped off our skirts and blouses ready to sunbathe in an instant.  Grace looked fabulous in her red Esther Williams swimsuit with white polka dots, whilst I felt terribly glamorous wearing a white Esther Williams bikini with the cute cherries print. 

It wasn’t long before two burly lifeguards were throwing admiring glances in our direction.  The chaps boldly approached and engaged us in polite conversation, introducing themselves as Hank and Butch. I must say I was rather impressed with such fine examples of muscle bound physique.  However, it quickly transpired that the handsome beefcakes were more interested in the line of our swimwear rather than admiring our feminine curves.  The chaps wanted to buy the swimsuits as presents for their sweethearts, so I happily furnished them with my business card.  I really don’t mind mixing business with pleasure!

Before meeting the train for our journey home, Grace and I took a stroll along the pier as the sun was setting.  We were at once accosted by a fortune telling gypsy, so I crossed her palm with half a crown and in return a tantalizing vision of the future was foretold.  Apparently I am destined to marry a millionaire!

Model: Stephanie Jay; Photography: Ian Malone Photography; Make up: Charli Gladwin

Model: Stephanie Jay; Photography: Ian Malone Photography; Make up: Charli Gladwin

Friday, 26th August 1949

Oh what a treat! Mr. Harold the traveling salesman came calling at the salon today. He was so very smart and charming with a sales pitch that would convince any woman to spend a small fortune on his delightful wares.  His battered suitcase was positively brimming with cosmetics, fancy scents, lipsticks, powder compacts and hairdressing requisites.

The sales patter began with the presentation of two bottles of scent.  I declined the first option; a ghastly looking yellow liquid called ‘Californian Poppy’ that simply smelt awful.  Instead, I preferred the rather more palatable “Evening in Paris” fragrance in the elegant black bottle complete with the Eiffel Tower embossed in gold. 

Mr. Harold disclosed that the latest fashion for lipstick would be a vivid orange colour. This unnatural but daring shade could be rather fetching, but dangerous if worn with the wrong colours.  Anne-Marie was very keen to sample this modern style and I must say it did suit her.

However I do wish that she hadn’t agreed to a demonstration of  ‘blue rinse’ hair dye. Anne-Marie had recently bleached her hair with peroxide and wanted a cool platinum blonde effect popularized by film star Jean Harlow.  The methylene blue rinse is supposed to take out the yellow tinge, but I fear that the lotion wasn’t quite diluted enough, so poor Anne-Marie emerged from the hairdryer in shock.  Her appearance was decidedly freakish, as the bright blue hair clashed severely with the orange lipstick.  Naturally, Mr. Harold was mortified, yet conveniently offered his entire range of beauty products as compensation for the blunder.   Poor Anne-Marie, she’ll have to wear a headscarf for at least a fortnight before we can rectify the matter with a new dose of peroxide!

Friday, 12th August 1949

Dear Diary,

Oh my! I’m having such a swell time!  Last Friday night was my first ever cabaret performance at The Winkle Picker Club with the band Los Chicos del Liso.  The evening had a nautical theme “Enchantment under the Sea”.  So the whole band was dressed very smartly as naval captains with peaked caps and gold braided blazers complete with epaulettes.  I was thrilled to be wearing an adorable sailor girl number with a fabulous full skirt and petticoats. Skirts ahoy!

The fancily dressed audience danced the night away and their applause was stupendous, the atmosphere was electric! I was so terribly nervous to begin with but once I got out there on stage and started to sing I had so much fun, I didn’t want the evening to end.  Two handsome fellows (who may very well have been real sailors judging by their neatly pressed uniforms) whisked me away from the microphone for a few twirls on the dance floor before gallantly returning me to the stage! The club was certainly swinging!

After the show, the Chicos and I celebrated at the cocktail bar with Mr Fitzpatrick who was chuffed to bits.  The club had sold out that night so the champagne was over flowing.  There’s going to be a fancy dress party every month, so next time the band will be on stage in safari outfits sporting a jungle theme.  Manuel the guitarist suggested that they should wear monkey suits instead. Everyone roared with laughter when Mr Fitzpatrick suggested that one of the Chicos should dress up as Tarzan and carry me off the stage!

Tuesday, 2nd August 1949

Dear Diary,

Oh how exciting!  My audition at the Winkle Picker Club was a total hit!  I had such fun meeting the eight-piece swing big band “Los Chicos del Liso” (The Smooth Guys) and so thrilled that I had chosen to sing ‘A Guy is a Guy’ with them.  The chaps are a fascinatingly maverick bunch of well-traveled fellows, all refugees since the Spanish Civil War apparently.  This tightly knit group of contemporary musicians still retains a flamenco root I’m so lucky to audition with musicians that add a flurry of gypsy passion fused with the jazz.  Each ‘Chico’ appeared smartly suited and devilishly handsome with a perfectly groomed Latin flair.  I couldn’t help noticing that most of them wore a wedding ring, just as well methinks!

Mr. Fitzpatrick the Proprietor was most definitely impressed, so I’ll be working the Friday night shows with the ‘Chicos’ band from now on!  Me oh my! Who knows what could happen?  Gosh! My secret wish has started to come true!  This could be the start of a glamorous new era on the stage!  Something was mentioned about pulling a few strings toward that elusive recording contract or West End audition.  Fingers crossed, before very long a talent scout or a movie producer could discover me.  Steady on!  Mustn’t get too ahead of oneself, my first show is this Friday!

Ooh so many preparations to make! I simply must become absolutely preened and polished at the salon over the next few days.  Doreen could do a special permanent wave for me and now that Anne Marie has perfected her manicure techniques she can give me the full treatment.  Oh and what to wear?  I wonder if I’ll have time to make something long and elegant in black satin, similar to the gown that Lola Falana was wearing?  Maybe I’ll go for the

Dolly Circle

dress?  Oh my Gosh!  I simply mustn’t be seen wearing the same outfit on stage twice!!