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Posts Tagged ‘vintage fashion’

Vintage Fashion at the 2010 Golden Globes

Monday, January 25th, 2010

Have finally gotten around to writing about which actresses wore authentic vintage dresses for this year’s Golden Globe awards. I’m always interested in seeing which celebrity opts for the alternative to current designer fashions.

My favorite vintage dress was worn by Rose McGowan to the InStyle/Warner Bros. Golden Globes after party. According to Hollywood Life this elegant 1950s sapphire blue strapless beauty was originally owned by Ava Gardner. And apparently Rose took her pooch out to potty while wearing it. I wonder if she had a matching pooper scooper to go with it!

Rose McGowan wears Ava Gardner's dress

My next favorite is the black vintage armani gown worn by Penelope Cruz. A few of the blogs I’ve read claimed they thought she looked matronly. Personally I thought she looked very chic, sophisticated and feminine.

Penelope Cruz in vintage Armani gown

Julia Roberts wore a basic black vintage Yves St Laurent cocktail dress, which many have criticized for not being dressy enough for such an important event. And I say, perhaps she just wanted a simple blank canvas against which to showcase that amazing citrine and diamond necklace from Van Cleef and Arpels!

Julia Roberts in vintage YSL little black dress

Julia Roberts in basic black with Van Cleef and Arpel neckace

Tags: celebrity dresses, Golden Globes, vintage fashion
Posted in Celebrities | 5 Comments »

Leopard Print Coats-An Enduring Trend

Saturday, January 9th, 2010

Every year or so designers send models out onto the runway wearing their latest animal print collections, claiming it’s the next hottest fashion. I think by now we can all agree animal print clothing, especially leopard, is a timeless trend that is here to stay. It was actually fashion icon Jackie Kennedy who was originally responsible for making the leopard coat one of the most coveted and copied styles of the 1960s. Unfortunately it nearly caused the extinction of the leopard species.

Jackie Kennedy looking chic in her leopard coat

Luckily there are fabulous faux leopard fur coats available so one can still get that classic chic look without harming any innocent animals. Below is an authentic vintage faux leopard fur coat from the 60s that was just listed on my website. Because a leopard print coat is such a statement piece, it looks best worn with basic black pants and top or a fitted pencil skirt or dress. Red clothing is also a stunning complement to leopard.

1960s faux leopard fur wrap coat

Vintage faux leopard fur coat-M/L- $155.00

And from left to right here are photos of celebrities, Alexa Chung, Nicky Hilton and Kate Moss looking spot on in leopard!

Celebrities spotted in leopard

Tags: 1960s, animal print fashions, jackie kennedy, leopard prints, vintage fashion
Posted in Fashion | No Comments »

The Space Age Fashions of John Kloss

Wednesday, January 6th, 2010

Coty Award winner, John Kloss, studied architecture before deciding to study fashion design at the Traphagen School of Design in New York. In the late 50’s he apprenticed in Paris with American couturier, Bob Bugnand.

Though he is better known for his 1970s body skimming lingerie and fluid jersey evening gowns, his ultra modern clothing from the early to mid 1960s is especially fabulous . Like works of abstract art, his designs incorporated sculptural silhouettes, with generous use of graphics and colorblocking. These earlier creations are rare and collectible. The pink and yellow minidress pictured below sold at auction in England recently for 750 pounds!

Here’s a cool advertisement for Frigidaire(no pun intended!) from the January 1966 issue of McCall’s Magazine. They used models wearing John Kloss’s futuristic designs to showcase their space age state of the art frost free refrigerator.

1966 John Kloss designs used to advertise Frigidaire refrigerator

Before it was sold at a Kerry Taylor Auction this past September, this John Kloss mini dress, circa 1965, was included in the Victoria and Albert Museum’s 2006 “Swinging 60s Exhibition”

John Kloss mini dress circa 1965

Here are three more John Kloss designs from the Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

John Kloss dress 1967

John Kloss evening dresses 1967

Tags: 1960s, fashion designers, john kloss, vintage fashion
Posted in Fashion, Food and Drink | No Comments »

Red & Green Vintage Holiday Fashions

Thursday, December 3rd, 2009

Have been surfing around on the “internets” , as one of my favorite funny men, Stephen Colbert, likes to call it, looking for fabulously festive red and green vintage fashions that are perfect for wearing this holiday season. I love looking at stuff and blog posts give me a perfect excuse to do it!

My first pick is this amazing 50’s dress from Fast Eddie’s Retro Rags with gorgeous red roses and green leaves that really pop against the white background. Just add a little red cardigan, red jewelry, and of course, red heels and lipstick and you’ll be the classiest doll on Christmas Day!

Red rose print 50's dress-34b 26w $10.00

Now, for the fancy schmancy shindig, like an honest to goodness white tie event, how about this incredible red satin 50’s ball gown from Couture Allure Vintage? Definitely calls for opera length gloves and really glittery necklace and earrings.

50's red satin gown - 36b 26w $450.00

And if you prefer the sleek lines of the 70’s, here’s a slinky rhinestone embellished deep forest green jersey halter gown from Blue Velvet Vintage. The style is a nod to the 1940s era, which was very common to the styles of the 1970s. The waistband is rhinestone accented with the words “La Vive” , meaning bright or vivacious, which is just what you’ll be when you sashay out the door in this sexy little number!

70's green jersey knit gown-34b 262 $165.00

70's green jersey knit gown-34b 26w- $165.00

Tags: 50s clothing, 70s clothing, holiday fashion, vintage dresses, vintage fashion
Posted in Fashion | No Comments »

In Vogue November 1963-Fur Fashions

Friday, November 27th, 2009

My third installment of fashion highlights from the November 1963 issue of Vogue Magazine is fur. It was not yet politically incorrect to wear it, as the anti fur movement wouldn’t start gathering steam until the latter part of the decade . So in ‘63 you could still flaunt your fur without fear of it being spray painted!

Below is an ad for leopard fur accessories. Leopard was a very desirable fur to wear in the 60s, which is why it is, along with many other animals, now on the endangered species list. Today even vintage leopard fur is illegal to sell over state lines.

Is it just me, or does the woman in the fabulous pill box hat bear an uncanny resemblance to Christina Hendricks, who plays Joan Holloway on Mad Men?

1963 ad for leopard fur accessories

These images show how in 63 the very glamorous, timeless look of full length mink coats and fur stoles worn for evening was still popular. But furs were also starting to be designed for the world of sportswear. In this instance for an apres ski outfit. You know those jetsetters, they had to look the height of fashion and affluence, even while sipping their Brandy Alexanders in Aspen!

vintage fur ads

Stay tuned for hair and makeup trends in Vogue, November 1963.

Tags: 60s clothing, fur fashion, vintage fashion, vogue magazine
Posted in Fashion | No Comments »

In Vogue November 1963-Evening Dresses

Friday, November 13th, 2009

The season finale of Mad Men aired this past Sunday night and it seems like the show just started! How I wish it ran all year round. I’m already missing the slick acting, the stylish sets and all those swanky guys and glamorous women who always manage to look so chic no matter what crisis or drama they’re embroiled in!

This past season’s episodes took place in the fall/winter of 1963, and I just discovered I actually have a November 1963 issue of Vogue magazine. So in honor of my favorite show I’m going to write several posts this month featuring all kinds of beautiful fashions that were popular from that time period.

The November 63 issue focused a lot on evening wear for the upcoming holidays. Here are some of my favorites. Which dress can you picture on which woman of Mad Men? Bombshell Joan, the Grace Kelly like Betty Draper, Pete’s socialite wife Trudy or Rogers Sterling’s gold digging wife, Jane? It would be tough to imagine Peggy in any one of these unless Don gives her a big raise so she can afford one.

On the cover-Very Space Age Evening Suit by Yves St Laurent

Silk crepe two piece cocktail outfit with bugle beading from Saks

Saks ad for a silk crepe two piece cocktail outfit with bugle beading

Saks ad for a chiffon cocktail dress with leopard spotted belt.

Magnficent chiffon jersey gown by Madame Gres

Dior gown in brown tulle, with gold and silver embroidery and lurex threads.

Chiffon gown by Sarmi has an ermine bodice! Worn with satin wrap.

Brocade full length cocktail suit by Givenchy

Full length brocade two piece cocktail suit by Givenchy

Tags: 1963 vogue, 60s clothing, 60s holiday fashion, mad men style, vintage fashion, vogue magazine
Posted in Fashion | No Comments »

The Must Have Vintage Shopping Guide

Sunday, September 20th, 2009

Vintage Shopping Guide by Melody Fortier

Wearing vintage clothing is becoming increasingly popular. With so many new collectors entering the market it was high time someone came out with a shopping guide to help demystify the whole process.

Fellow Vintage Fashion Guild member and owner of the fabulous Tangerine Boutique, Melody Fortier, has just published a brilliant little book called “The Little Guide to Vintage Shopping”. I know Melody personally, and can unequivocally vouch for her professionalism and extensive knowledge in the field of vintage fashion.

Her book covers shopping tips for vintage clothing and accessories, how to spot the really good stuff, sizing, care and cleaning information, how to indentify the styles of certain eras, online shopping, lists of brick and mortar stores worldwide and creative ways to wear and even repurpose vintage clothes.

This is a must have for lovers of vintage fashion who want to become more educated vintage consumers!

Tags: the little guide to vintage shopping, vintage clothing, vintage fashion, vintage shopping
Posted in Recommended Reads | 3 Comments »

Little Black Dresses-Recent additions at Blue Velvet Vintage

Friday, August 7th, 2009

The little black dress is a classic wardrobe staple and shopping for new often leaves you with a choice of cookie cutter styles. And who wants to look like everyone else at their next cocktail party? But if you choose a black vintage dress, they are usually unique enough in construction, fabric and design details that you’re sure to stand out in that sea of LBDs. Here are some of our recent additions that will help you show your individuality. Please visit our What’s New page for more little black dresses from the 40s, 50s and 60s.

Known for their chic, ladylike elegance, Herbert Sondheim manufactured dresses, inspired by Paris fashions, from the 30s through the 60s. Jackie Kennedy even wore his dresses! He also taught at the Parson School of Design.

Herbert Sondheim black silk vintage dress-38/30

Herbert Sondheim black silk 60s vintage dress-38/30

A very sophisticated early 60s vintage cocktail dress reminiscent of the classic style of Audrey Hepburn. The plunging back with the big satin bow accent will make you look fabulous coming and going!

Audrey Hepburn style vintage cocktail dress-38/28

If you want to look like you just stepped out of a 1940s film noir, then this vintage cocktail dress is for you!

Old hollywood style 1940s cocktail dress in sequined black crepe.-34/26

1950s bombshell black form fitting cocktail dress is completely covered in a swirling soutache embroidered design and black satin with bow accent encircles the hip area.

1950s curve hugging little black dress.

Tags: 40s clothing, 50s clothing, 60s clothing, cocktail dress, little black dress, vintage dresses, vintage fashion
Posted in Fashion, Gift Ideas | No Comments »

1957 Fashion Spread-Celebrity daughters

Sunday, August 2nd, 2009

Take a look at these lovely images from a 1957 Ladies Home Journal magazine. The fashion spread is titled “Pretty Daughters of Famous Fathers” and features celebrity daughters modelling summer party dresses.

Of course, I got curious as to who the mothers were of these gorgeous girls, so I did a little digging.

The amazingly talented Fred Astaire, without a doubt one of the most famous dancer/actor/singer/choregraphers of all time, married Phyllis Potter, a Boston socialite, in 1933. They had two children, Fred Jr. and Ava (pictured below).

Fred Astaire's daughter, Ava, wearing a white embroidered organdy party dress

Norman Foster was a movie director in the 40s and 50s. After his first marriage to Claudette Colbert, he married actress Sally Blaine, an elder sister of Loretta Young. They had two children. Gretchen (pictured below) and Robert.

Noman Foster's daughter, Gretchen, in a three tiered white organdy gown

Henry Fonda, the Hollywood legend, married Frances Ford Seymour, a New York socialite in 1936. They had two children who turned out to be famous actors in their own right, Jane(pictured below) and Peter.

Though her dad’s acting career continued right into his seventies, I was horrified to discover her mother, after many bouts with mental illness, commited suicide when she was only 42, by cutting her throat with a razor.

Jane Fonda was born in 1937, making her only 20 years old when this photo was taken.

Jane Fonda, daughter of Henry Fonda, in a printed dimity shirtwaist gown.

Walt Disney married Lillian Bounds in 1925 after meeting her where she worked in the “ink and paint” department at Disney Studios. They had two daughters, Diane and Sharon(pictured below).

Lillian Bounds Disney is credited with giving the world famous cartoon character, Mickey Mouse, his name. She died exactly 31 years to the day after the death of her husband.