Stephanie Strowbridge

Grand Rapids, Michigan

“I would describe myself as a Timewarpian. I definitely stick out like a sore thumb! But that is OK with me!”

Stephanie Strowbridge specializes in hair styles from 1930's-1960's. Besides being a part-time hairdresser, she is also a busy wife and mother. Stephanie is a huge fan of Vincent Price, she loves watching classic movies, and almost always wears a scarf.

She starts her morning bright and early at 7:00 am getting her son off to school. Between being a hairstylist, writing her second book, working with a photographer on retro-inspired photo shoots and traveling to events on occasion, she maintains her house, and spends time with her family. “My days are kind of a jumble of all those things!”, she exclaimed.

The 40 year old beauty school where Stephanie attended was owned by a man who started doing hair in 1927! The man was still living, still cutting and styling hair, and still at the school while Stephanie was there. “He was 100 years old! He taught me the correct way to do finger waves. He even taught me the way a barber holds combs and the way a barber services men. I was fortunate to have had this training,” she said.

Due to the popularity of the "pin up", many ladies come to her wanting a "pin up" style. “I love classic glamour and I enjoy bringing that out in people.” She also does men's hair and enjoys pompadours and D.A.'s. Stephanie is the only one in her area that offers these specific services. “I also feel it is important to maintain a professional atmosphere as well as a relaxed atmosphere,” she added.

When asked to describe her vintage style she said, “I feel good and confident in a good fitting dress! I have a drawer full of scarves. I almost always wear a scarf. I feel it is important to accessorize and to accessorize out of the box.” Stephanie wears vintage inspired clothes as well as authentic vintage clothing.

Stephanie’s love of vintage started when she was a kid. She would watch old movies and TV shows with her dad, who also likes classic movies. “I had a love for Vincent Price at a very young age! I would collect anything concerning him.” An interesting tidbit that Stephanie shared with us was that Vincent Price also wrote cook books, collected artwork from around the world and supported American Indians.

She and her husband are huge movie people and are always listening to music. “A good black & white movie or a good rockin' song can inspire.” Stephanie also loves photographs and draws inspiration from old photos.

We asked Stephanie what year she would visit if she could travel back in time.

“I'm not sure to be honest. There are things from certain years that are great, like the fashion and glamour of the 30's and 40's or a brand new 1959 Cadillac Eldorado! I would love to have seen Jerry Lee Lewis bang up the piano or follow Edith Head in her fashion greatness. I think Robert Kennedy was a great man and changed people's lives during that time. But, with all the good things that you can think about during all the different decades, there are also hardships that make me thankful for today.”

The latest retro event that Stephanie attended was Rockabilly Weekenders. “It's nice to be with similar minded people who enjoy the same things that I do. It is nice to see ladies dressed up, feeling confident, and looking glamorous!

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