1920s Flapper Posters and Art Prints

Vintage illustration from the french magazine, La Vie Parisienne

Showgirls preparing for a performance in a dressing room backstage. Washington, D.C. 1926.

Following the repeal of Prohibition in 1933, 52nd Street replaced 133rd street as “Swing Street” of the city. The blocks of 52nd Street between Fifth Avenue and Seventh Avenue became renowned for the abundance of jazz clubs and lively street life. The street was convenient to musicians playing on Broadway and the ‘legitimate’ nightclubs and was also the site of a CBS studio. Musicians who played for others in the early evening played for themselves on 52nd Street.

The trailblazing Josephine Baker, circa 1920s, doing her thing. Minor edits only, to repair 100 years of aging.

Flapper girl watercolor 1920s

Reimagined flapper girl inspired by a vintage French fashion advertisement

Vintage illustration from the french magazine, La Vie Parisienne

Vintage illustration from the french magazine, La Vie Parisienne

Vintage illustration from the french magazine, La Vie Parisienne

The first version of the club opened in Greenwich Village in 1922, run by cousins Jack Kriendler and Charlie Berns. It was originally a small speakeasy known as the Red Head. In 1925 the location was moved to a basement on Washington Place and its name was changed to Frontón. The following year it moved uptown to 42 West 49th Street, changed its name to the Puncheon Club, and became much more exclusive.[3] In late 1929, to make way for the construction of Rockefeller Center, the club moved to its current location and changed its name to "Jack and Charlie's 21".

Reimangined flapper girl from and old French design advertisement.

Reimagined flapper-style sketch from a 1920s French fashion advertisement.

Vintage 1920s pink dress flapper

A skeleton doing the Charleston - being a flapper is not just a fashion, it's a whole philosophy.

Vintage illustration from the french magazine, La Vie Parisienne

Despite an alcoholic father who left her family when she was still very young, and a mother who made a living by doing laundry, Constance Talmadge escaped her past and became one of the biggest stars of the silent film era. Her friend Anita Loos, who wrote many screenplays for her, appreciated her "humor and her irresponsible way of life." Imagery selected based on aesthetic and resolution, and modified to negate the imperfections of time.

Graphic art by Jessica Jacobs, 2020

Vintage illustration from the french magazine, La Vie Parisienne

Is she a flapper? I dunno! Maybe. She’s wearing a snazzy dress anyway, peak of fashion for 1923-ish. Big hat, big belt, big heart. And some sweet kidskin gloves. I love 1920s silhouettes on fat figures, because all the fashion plates and famous figures from the era were very slim. But there were fat people, and some of them were really fashionable because why wouldn’t they be? Get your Gatsby on with this design. No background, for those less is more type friends.

Vintage illustration from the french magazine, La Vie Parisienne

Young ladies walking hand in hand on a summer day. Washington, D.C. 1924.

Flapper Girl 1926 Illustration

Paulette Guist partying like she did in life on Halloween night

A beautiful 1920's silver screen style flapper gazes coyly over her silk fan. From a costume photo shoot for Art of Adornment (online accessories shop) in 2006, inspired by the legendary actress Louise Brooks. Model & Digital Image Effects: Valerian, Photo: Michael R. Barrick.

During the Prohibition era, a young lady reveals a flask hidden in her garter. 1926.

A group of girls from a Vaudeville era musical act playing their ukuleles. Washington, D.C. 1926.

An art deco design that makes me think of the 1920s and Gatsby

Ladies and gentlemen, the Siren of the Tropics. Imagery selected based on aesthetic and resolution, and modified to negate the imperfections of time.

From a book of swimming costumes from the 1920s that was so scandalous it made grown men blush, ladies faint and world leaders question their choices in life. Banned on several continents for the shocking amount of ankles on display. Appalling!!

A modern interpretation of a 1920’s burlesque flapper, posing seductively in front of a cabaret stage curtain. From a costume photo shoot for Art of Adornment (online accessories shop) in 2013, inspired by German cabaret performers of the 1920’s. Model: Lola Frost, Photo: Michael R. Barrick, MUA: Teresa Bussey/Dead Heaven, Styling and Digital Image Effects: Valerian.

A glamorous 1920's silver screen flapper poses with her cigarette holder, as she presides over her bordello as madame. From a costume photo shoot for Art of Adornment (online accessories shop) in 2006, inspired by silent films of the 1920's. Model & Digital Image Effects: Valerian, Photo: Michael R. Barrick.

An adorable flapper frog in a magenta dress and gorgeous jewels - so fashionable! hand drawn by Jennifer Ladd.

Vintage illustration from the french magazine, La Vie Parisienne

From a book of scandalous swimming costumes of the turn of the century. The amount of bare ankles shown in these photos is shocking!

Even flappers get the blues.

Love is a dangerous game.