Embracing the Groovy '60s: A Timeless Love Affair with a Decade Gone By
Outdated Technology: The Era of Tube TVs and Dial-Up Phones
Picture-perfect for a '60s magazine cover, Kitty Steiner exudes an undeniable charm of yesteryears. Both in her personal abode and salon, time seems to stand still, encapsulating the essence of the decades she adores—the '60s and '50s. This begs the question: what makes revisiting the past so captivating?
Dressed from head to toe in vibrant hues, Kitty Steiner, residing in Gelsenkirchen and her Düsseldorf hair salon, epitomizes a bygone era. Every nook and cranny of her home echoes the past, filled with vintage furniture, appliances, and an array of design elements reminiscent of yesteryears. The enthusiast shares her fascination: "I love the fashion, the hairstyles – the entire aesthetic. I also appreciate the furniture, the design, the color palettes, the shapes."
Her home is a testament to her admiration, having transformed every square foot to mirror the past. Electronics, household items, wallpaper, lamps, and even her water closet adorned with a classic metal chain all hail from different eras. And that's not all; her 1950s-style kitchen gleams in pastel shades, retaining the charm of a bygone era with a vintage boiler serving hot water and a 1958/59 cooking appliance she firmly stand by.
A quick glance at the shelves and cupboards reveals a trove of treasured items – irons, vacuum cleaners, and countless original packaging, items boasting decades of use.
Beyond the Screen and Wheels
Telephones with cords and dials, or television sets with black-and-white images, complete her household inventory. Closets brimming with clothes in shades of yellow, green, or pink house matching shoes, hats, and fashion accessories, allowing Kitty Steiner to step back in time.
Her connection with the past began as a child in Saxony, where she was allowed to play her parents' old records on her grandmother’s turntable—Katja Ebstein, the Beatles, or Shakin’ Stevens. "That marked the beginning of my fascination," she reminisces. Over the years, she rescued discarded vintage items from the trash, fostering her collection.
Navigating the world in a VW Beetle, she boasts an old-timer license plate – a poignant symbol of her chronological dollop. In her words, "It slows things down a bit, creating a sense of calm." Having reached the age of 41, Kitty Steiner counts this paean to the past amongst her lifelong themes, a heartfelt passion that brings her immense joy.
A Longing for the Good Old Days: Nostalgia or Escapism?
Trend experts like Eike Wenzel unravel the threads behind this retro craze and surging wave of nostalgia. "People intentionally distance themselves from today's crisis-ridden reality," explains Wenzel. He breaks it down for us: this is an attempt to escape the present, a coping mechanism for grappling with a challenging world.
The trend for retro styles, dating back to the 1950s, has persisted across generations. Younger individuals often harbor nostalgia for the noughties. So, what is it about the 1960s that holds people's hearts so dearly? According to the director of the Institute for Trend and Future Research, it's the economic stability, advancements in science and research, the absence of climate change, and a bright future which caught the attention of the time.
Reflecting on current times, a longing for simpler, more carefree days seems to resonate profoundly. However, while people may don the clothing and drive vintage cars, it's rare for them to adopt the lifestyles of the times whose fashions they mimic.
Kitty Steiner acknowledges the influence of modern technology in her life – mobile phones, laptops, and the internet are essential. Yet, she leverages these tools for running her hairdressing salon and shopping online for vintage items. Similarly, her husband Thomas, an ardent admirer of the '50s, can't responsibly abandon his flat-screen television despite thinking it rather unsightly.
As the internet forms a pulsating retail hub for vintage finds, retro 'influencers' reign supreme on social media platforms. One such digital personality, Shirin Altsohn (@Shirinatra), with 1.2 million Instagram followers, consistently shares photographs in romantic vintage attire – a magnet for admirers of the past.
A Foot Firmly in the Present
Impeccably preserving the '60s spirit, Kitty Steiner's hairdressing salon evokes a bygone age. From the hairdryer to the coffee cups, everything reflects the magic of the '60s. Particularly intriguing are the intricately styled 'beehive' and 'banana' cuts, accompanied by the soothing strains of old Schlager music emanating from a charming pink transistor radio.
A contented customer, Silke Schwarz, articulates her sentiments: "There's something classic, elegant, and stylish about the outdated hairstyles. Compared to the fashion of today, it offers a unique charm. Both the hairstyles and the salon atmosphere are one-of-a-kind."
Kitty Steiner delights in the fashion and lifestyle of the '60s, but she makes it crystal clear that she embraces the here and now. "I live in the present," she affirms fervently. Even the modern dynamics of marriage are mirrored in her household, an emblem of contemporary equality.
Be it fashion, design, or cultural expression, the allure of the past serves as a fascinating bridge between generations, inspiring longing and admiration of times gone by.
As Kitty Steiner applies vintage hairstyles in her 1960s-themed salon, she blends community policy (the shared appreciation for a bygone era) with her personal lifestyle, incorporating both fashion-and-beauty trends and home-and-garden design elements from the era. In her pursuit of the past, she maintains a recognizable online presence (employment policy), using social media to showcase her retro-inspired looks and share her love for the bygone decades.
