More Than Just Flower Power: The Attraction of the 60s Ain't Just About TVs and Phones
Outdated TV Sets and Ancient Landline Phones Replace quality of modern flat screens and digital communications.
LinkedIn Instagram Reddit E-Mail Print Copy Link Kitty Steiner could be the cover girl of a magazine from the swinging sixties. Her home and salon are in a time warp. But what's so appealing about retro vibes?
This gal's a bona fide blast from the past. Kitty Steiner will give you chills with her vibrant outfits, eye-catching accessories, and jaw-dropping hairstyles - like the gals of half a century ago. She lives and breathes the '60s, and her home in Gelsenkirchen is a veritable time capsule, right down to the kitchen from the 1950s and the metal-chained toilet.
From her abode to her salon in Düsseldorf, time seems to have stuck in the 60s. Every nook and cranny brims with period furniture, appliances, kitchenware, decor - you name it. Why? "The fashion, the hairstyles, the overall look of ladies back then - I've always had a soft spot for it. I dig the furniture, design, color schemes, and shapes from that era too," Kitty Steiner declares.
Study Kitty's humble abode, and you'll find an eye-popping array of vintage bits and bobs. More than just retro, it's a love letter to a bygone era. Rusty rotary phones, black-and-white TVs, and dusty five-and-dime store trinkets - if it's from the 60s, Kitty's got it!
The Jukebox Jive: Old Tunes and Cars
Going old school ain't a crime - she's gotta VW Beetle with an antiquated license plate and no modern frills, Kitty cruises to work in style. Some chores take longer for her, sure, but she doesn't mind. "It's a bit therapeutic," she says.
Remember her childhood days in Saxony? Kitty was lucky to get a whiff of the old records her parents played and her grandmother's turntable blasting tunes from Katja Ebstein, the Beatles, or Shakin' Stevens. "That's when my love affair with vintage stuff started," she reminisces.
To Nostalgia or Escape?
What's the deal with the retro trend and that '50s-'60s wave of nostalgia? "People want to get away from the present, which can be rough, especially nowadays," says trend researcher Eike Wenzel. In other words, it's about escaping reality. Retro trends have resurfaced in every generation, dating back to the '50s. Yup, imagine that - even the youngsters feel nostalgic when they look back on the '00s.
The Edge Non-Stop Nostalgia: Why the Past Feels Better in the PresentCentral theme: "For many folks, it's just plain fun to step back in time. It's a hoot to imagine you're living in older times. There's just something about the past that's appealing," states director of the Institute for Trend and Future Research. The 60s and 50s, in particular, strike a chord. Why? "Back then, the economy was stable, there was progress being made in science, there was no climate change, and people had a rosy outlook on the future." Trends for the '80s and '90s are also having a moment now.
A nostalgia wave can be a reaction to uncertainty about the present, no matter what age you are. But Kitty's not exactly living like her old-school style icons. She can't do without a smartphone, laptop, or internet for her hair salon or online shopping.
Her '50s-loving husband, Thomas Bosbich, parks his flashy TV on the shelf. "I can live without that bulky '60s stuff. There's no way I'd ditch my flatscreen," he laughs. "I might not like its design, but it's essential, ya know?"
Kitty's hair salon is a veritable shrine to the past, from the 60s hairdryers to the coffee cups. And the 'do's? You won't find any modern cuts here - only the timeless "banana" and "beehive" styles. Regular customer Silke Schwarz couldn't be happier. "Yeah, it's a tad outdated - but it's more classic, elegant. It's unique in our community."
Kitty Steiner loves the 60s vibe and way of life, but she ain't gonna endorse their attitudes. "I'm all about living in the present. My marriage is contemporary, equals all the way," the 41-year-old declares. She draws the line at rigid gender roles, sharing, "I have a modern marriage, with both partners pulling their weight."
Source: ntv.de, Yuriko Wahl-Immel and Sascha Thelen, dpa
Insights:
- The allure of the retro trend, and specifically the '60s, stems from distinctive aesthetics, cultural motifs, and emotional resonance. Nostalgia plays a significant role in influencing contemporary lifestyle choices.
- The '60s are known for bold colors, geometric patterns, and unique design elements, all of which evoke a sense of familiarity, comfort, and identity.
- Mid-century jewelry from the '60s exhibits clean lines, abstract forms, and innovative use of materials, as well as an optimistic, space-age outlook that endures today.
- The '60s evoke a cultural mood of innovation, freedom, and change, with motifs like go-go boots and colorful shapes symbolizing youthful energy and social transformation.
- Nostalgia triggers emotional responses, creating feelings of familiarity and security. Retro designs provide a sense of identity, allowing contemporary consumers to express individuality and connect with a cultural heritage.
- The retro trend is compatible with contemporary values such as environmental consciousness, as modern packaging may incorporate sustainable materials while maintaining retro aesthetics. Vintage clothing and jewelry, appreciated for quality materials and craftsmanship, align with slow fashion and sustainability movements.
- Kitty Steiner's home and salon, immersed in the style of the 60s, showcase an extensive collection of community policy artifacts, such as fashion-and-beauty items like vintage hairdryers, and home-and-garden pieces like relics from the 1950s kitchen and old metal chained toilet.
- In the realm of entertainment, Kitty's affection for the 60s is evident through her collection of nostalgic items, including rusty rotary phones, black-and-white TVs, and trinkets from the era, which she avidly showcases in her home.
- The allure of the retro trend, particularly the 60s, extends to various aspects of contemporary life, including lifestyle choices and even social-media platforms. As trend researcher Eike Wenzel suggests, this nostalgia can be a means of escaping the challenges of the present, providing a sense of comfort and familiarity amid the ever-changing world.
