Oh no I didn’t know Hollywood Bowl got torn down! I left in 98 and have only been back a few times and I hardly recognize L.A. anymore. This was a fascinating story. Even furniture and lamps of the mid century era were cool and quite popular in the 80’s. It’s kind of a bummer that it’s all been cheaply recreated at stores like Walmart. PS we get hummers too, love them!
I know, so sad about Hollywood Bowl. At least you and I were able to experience its beauty. And yes, the cheap reproductions are super depressing and some people don’t even know quality when they see it. We found a cool vintage starburst clock on the street that someone had tossed out and I was able to get my clock guy to fix it for $30. Now it hangs on my wall and I love it. Thanks for reading and commenting!
Thank you so much for introducing me to Helen Liu Fong and her wonderful work. This story has a couple of recurring themes : mid-century design takes ages to be appreciated; brilliant woman doesn't get full credit for achievements. I love it when someone bangs the drum for both! I had never heard of Googies. Where have they been all my life?
Interesting that one was replaced with a Starbucks. I wonder whether in 60 years someone will write about the architecture and interior design of that coffee shop chain?
Thanks so much for this H2. Looking forward to the next birdie video too! 💛
Thanks so much, Jules! Wasn't she incredible? Such an inspiration! I'm just blown away by her work and that she managed to do it at a time when there were so few opportunities for women and Chinese-Americans in this country. It's embarrassing to admit that I'd been admiring Googie architecture for years and never knew that Helen Liu Fong was the mastermind behind the aesthetic. Come visit and I'll take you on a tour of the Googies that are still standing. We can eat waffles at Pann's. :) I don't have the Fairlane anymore, but I can tool us around in the Honda. 🧇
OMG we'll be like Thelma and Louise! (well not totally I hope!) 😆Now that offer is worth renewing my passport for!
It's depressing to think how much female talent has been overlooked, underreported and in countless cases, not used at all. I am so glad to have been born when I was. Compared with previous generations, we were fortunate.
What a great celebration for Women's History Month! I just love Helen's photo and her whole aesthetic. She seems like she'd be the BEST dinner party guest. And who KNEW there were guidance counselors all the way back in 1939?!? I thought they only came into existence in like 1987... or with Judy Blume. Doesn't it seem like a totally 1987 job description?
Thanks, Alisa! And 🤣 re: guidance counselors. You're so right. That job does seem it was invented by Judy Blume. LOL. I just googled it. Apparently guidance counselors have been around since the early 1900s and the job function was to help kids prepare for the workforce. Wild. My high school guidance counselor did make me take a "What Color is Your Parachute" type test to determine what career I should pursue. The answer was: Creative Director. I had no idea what that was and neither did my counselor, but it sure sounded great.
You got to do "What Color is Your Parachute"??? My guidance counselor was a slacker! I feel robbed. All mine did was throw a college cocktail night where some Harvard alums showed up--and they were so nerdy and funny--I was like... Ok, that's what I want. Do I have to choose a job or a major right now? And they said "Oh, good god, no! You do a 'concentration!'" And I was all, "Ooh... MUCH better!" Still, I would have liked a colorful parachute telling me to be a CD. I'd have had zero idea what that was! 😂
No way! A college cocktail night (!!) mingling with nerdy alums sounds way more fun than sitting in a dark office filling out a questionnaire. Lol. Now I feel robbed!
Thanks for introducing me to Lui Fong and Googie. It is all new to me. Such a shame that they demolished her work. And so exciting about the babies. How lovely.
Thanks, Margaret! So happy I could share the beauty of Helen Liu Fong's work and introduce you to the wonder of Googie. It's such a big part of Los Angeles history. Thankfully, a few of the structures are still standing. As I said to Jules, come visit! I'll take you both on a tour.
Thanks, Sarah! Oooh! Let's go to Pann's together. It's so fun. I know it's a schlep but when I went to meet my brother there, it was a weekday morning and I didn't get stuck in traffic.
Thanks, Marlene! Did you ever go to Googie's in the 70s? I can't remember if I ever did as a kid. Ma always took us to iHop. Appreciate you taking the time to read and leaving a sweet note. You're the best. xo
Wonderful!
Thanks, Jeff! xo
Oh no I didn’t know Hollywood Bowl got torn down! I left in 98 and have only been back a few times and I hardly recognize L.A. anymore. This was a fascinating story. Even furniture and lamps of the mid century era were cool and quite popular in the 80’s. It’s kind of a bummer that it’s all been cheaply recreated at stores like Walmart. PS we get hummers too, love them!
I know, so sad about Hollywood Bowl. At least you and I were able to experience its beauty. And yes, the cheap reproductions are super depressing and some people don’t even know quality when they see it. We found a cool vintage starburst clock on the street that someone had tossed out and I was able to get my clock guy to fix it for $30. Now it hangs on my wall and I love it. Thanks for reading and commenting!
That’s a good deal!!
The next time I'm in LA, let's do a tour of Googie architecture!
YES!! Can’t wait!
Love this slice of LA history! I had no idea about Googie architecture but was always curious, and Fong's story is fascinating.
Thanks, Sanj! Fancy a breakfast meeting at Pann’s? It’s worth the schlep.
Totally!
Thank you so much for introducing me to Helen Liu Fong and her wonderful work. This story has a couple of recurring themes : mid-century design takes ages to be appreciated; brilliant woman doesn't get full credit for achievements. I love it when someone bangs the drum for both! I had never heard of Googies. Where have they been all my life?
Interesting that one was replaced with a Starbucks. I wonder whether in 60 years someone will write about the architecture and interior design of that coffee shop chain?
Thanks so much for this H2. Looking forward to the next birdie video too! 💛
Thanks so much, Jules! Wasn't she incredible? Such an inspiration! I'm just blown away by her work and that she managed to do it at a time when there were so few opportunities for women and Chinese-Americans in this country. It's embarrassing to admit that I'd been admiring Googie architecture for years and never knew that Helen Liu Fong was the mastermind behind the aesthetic. Come visit and I'll take you on a tour of the Googies that are still standing. We can eat waffles at Pann's. :) I don't have the Fairlane anymore, but I can tool us around in the Honda. 🧇
OMG we'll be like Thelma and Louise! (well not totally I hope!) 😆Now that offer is worth renewing my passport for!
It's depressing to think how much female talent has been overlooked, underreported and in countless cases, not used at all. I am so glad to have been born when I was. Compared with previous generations, we were fortunate.
🤣Thelma & Louise but without the cliff jump! It’s true, we were fortunate though so many fields are still dominated by dudes.
Yes - I wouldn't mind the headscarf and glasses though - oh and blowing that trucker's tyres 🤣
Well they had a head start of several millennia. We've not done badly in the last couple of decades but there's still a way to go.
What a great celebration for Women's History Month! I just love Helen's photo and her whole aesthetic. She seems like she'd be the BEST dinner party guest. And who KNEW there were guidance counselors all the way back in 1939?!? I thought they only came into existence in like 1987... or with Judy Blume. Doesn't it seem like a totally 1987 job description?
Thanks, Alisa! And 🤣 re: guidance counselors. You're so right. That job does seem it was invented by Judy Blume. LOL. I just googled it. Apparently guidance counselors have been around since the early 1900s and the job function was to help kids prepare for the workforce. Wild. My high school guidance counselor did make me take a "What Color is Your Parachute" type test to determine what career I should pursue. The answer was: Creative Director. I had no idea what that was and neither did my counselor, but it sure sounded great.
You got to do "What Color is Your Parachute"??? My guidance counselor was a slacker! I feel robbed. All mine did was throw a college cocktail night where some Harvard alums showed up--and they were so nerdy and funny--I was like... Ok, that's what I want. Do I have to choose a job or a major right now? And they said "Oh, good god, no! You do a 'concentration!'" And I was all, "Ooh... MUCH better!" Still, I would have liked a colorful parachute telling me to be a CD. I'd have had zero idea what that was! 😂
No way! A college cocktail night (!!) mingling with nerdy alums sounds way more fun than sitting in a dark office filling out a questionnaire. Lol. Now I feel robbed!
Thanks for introducing me to Lui Fong and Googie. It is all new to me. Such a shame that they demolished her work. And so exciting about the babies. How lovely.
Thanks, Margaret! So happy I could share the beauty of Helen Liu Fong's work and introduce you to the wonder of Googie. It's such a big part of Los Angeles history. Thankfully, a few of the structures are still standing. As I said to Jules, come visit! I'll take you both on a tour.
Sounds wonderful.
Oh I’ve always wanted to go to Pann’s. And I agree with you: . I want orange banquettes. I want bubble lights. I want neon signs.
Thanks, Sarah! Oooh! Let's go to Pann's together. It's so fun. I know it's a schlep but when I went to meet my brother there, it was a weekday morning and I didn't get stuck in traffic.
I’d love that!
What a fascinating and wonderful post! Yay for Helen and let's bring back color! Woohoo!! 🙌
Thanks, Marlene! Did you ever go to Googie's in the 70s? I can't remember if I ever did as a kid. Ma always took us to iHop. Appreciate you taking the time to read and leaving a sweet note. You're the best. xo
I love your aesthetic Hilary — let alone your amazing humor and writing!
I’m afraid that I probably could not afford Googie’s back in the day ;) … but I do remember it’s exterior. Thanks for writing this piece! XO
I also loved your photos of Googie's interior, of course!
Great post! I loved the Hummingbirds and the Googie!
Thank you, Katherine! Appreciate you taking the time to read this lengthy post. :) Looking forward to your cartoon this week.