HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!

Not to much to post today but wanted to post something. :)  Here is a pin up from an early Katy Keene comic.  The pin up below appeared on page one of the comic and both the pose and the overall design were by Kathryn Watkins who lived in Wichita Kansas. 

KATY KEENE NO 16 MAY 1954

 Converted to black and white for those who like to color. 

Since I haven't posted anything in a few days, I thought I'd post a couple of Valentine related Katy's today. I haven't posted much in the way of Katy Keene's, either pin ups or paper dolls. I've been getting all my files organized. Matching all the Katy's in the same pose that were in the comics with the clothes for each doll. Quite an undertaking believe me but it's getting easier now that I have each doll that is in a different position in individual folders. I'm rather excited about it because eventually I will post one doll and ALL the costumes for that doll on this here blog. Katy's wardrobe rivals Barbie's in how many costumes were designed for her since her appearance in Wilbur No. 5 back in 1945. 

Having the pin ups and paper dolls of Katy organized also helps when I'm creating a new paper doll and want to find costumes to put on her. Some of the outfits created by Katy's fans over the years are truly magnificent and while they didn't always appear for the paper doll they did appear within a story or on one of the numerous pin ups that graced the pages of various Archie publications.  Eventually I'd like to do the same thing with my Jane Arden, Boots and Toots collections. 

KATY KEENE NO 7 SEPTEMBER 1952

I tried to find a Katy paper doll that had at least one dress or ensemble that featured a heart. The one below is from 1954 and the designs are from Katy's "island fans". Most of the outfits are from budding designers from Hawaii. This was before Hawaii became a state. Of course I had to look up some of the address listed to see if the houses still existed since the island has changed considerably since the mid-fifties. In some cases the buildings are no longer there having been torn down and a bank, apartment complex or parking lot put in it's place. I always feel so saddened that the house that once resided on a spot has been demolished. I suppose one does have to make way for progress but it's still a shame. Only one home in Honolulu still exists, as does the home in Wahiawa. The address in the Philippines  is also still there but I couldn't tell from the satellite view whether it was a house or a business. There was no street view in that part of Manilla.  I sometimes wonder what ever happened to the young designers of her outfits. Did they go on to pursue a career in the fashion industry? What are the doing now and are they even still alive. 

KATY KEENE NO 17 JULY 1954

And just for fun, here is a coloring/design activity from the Katy Keene Fashion Book No. 2 from 1955 I'm posting both the original as she appeared in the comic and a "cleaned up" larger version. She was on the small size originally. 

FASHION BOOK NO 2 1955

                                    ALOHA!!