Sydney’s Vintage Fashion Runway

E Vintage  Blog Time Again.  Dress a Movie Star! Tagged by Confessions of a Fashion Diva

1) What item do you currently have for sale that could have been worn in a movie?

Whether your shopping for a 50’s prom dress or a blue tux this prom season and you want to go Hollywood Hairspray style, then shopping at Sydney’s is the best option! 

 

                                                                                                                                                              2) Which movie star do you see wearing the item and in what movie?

Amanda Bynes would definitely add some more glamor to this 50’s prom dress.  Zac’s baby blue eye’s would sparkle in this blue tux!

                                                                                                                                                           3) What movie star qualities does your item have to make it perfect for your starlet?That is a pretty easy question!  Just look at the pictures of this spectacular vintage clothing, need I say more? For even more enjoyment of fashion reading, check out Real Vintage tag your it!

Spring has almost sprung and it is not much longer before you will need to plan a vacation.  If your traveling in the northeastern part of the good ole’ USA, and looking for an educational fashion tour, the Wadsworth Atheneum, Museum of Art is featuring Making a Splash: American Beach Fashions, 1850-1920.

Here are the following details from their site: 

“In complement to the exhibition, Impressionists by the Sea, Making a Splash uses original costume items along with period photographs and prints to explore fashions worn at the American seaside in the Victorian and Edwardian eras. The exhibition examines the roots of American bathing costumes in reform dress for water cures and private exercise, as well as exploring the beach as a setting for relaxation, public recreation and the promenading the latest fashions on the boardwalk.”

                                                                                                                                                        Visit now through July 13,2008.  Please post here if you do visit this exhibit and give us some more insight.

EVintage Blog Tag Spring Time, tagged by Confessions of a Fashion Diva.

Spring time is one of my favorite times of the year.  This week in the Evintage Blogs we are discussing Spring & Fashion, what a great combination! Although this first question is a hard one to answer, favorite? (do I only just get to pick one?)

1) Whats your favorite piece of spring wear in your inventory?

                                                                                                                                                            It is up for auction right now on Ebay, (which is a rarity for me).
2) Why is it your favorite?

Well other than the obvious, it is gorgeous, Hawaiian, versatile, playful and should be worn by someone that is full of life!

3) What is your favorite spring flower?

The Dogwood, well actually it is a tree, but it does have flower blooms.

4) Favorite memory of spring?

Growing up in Montgomery, Al as a child in an antebellum home on four acres of land with tall southern pine trees, and the most gorgeous azalea bushes you have ever seen in multi colors of hot pink, light pink, and white.  When Easter would come around every year, both of my grandmother’s, my great aunt, parents, sister would all gather in that gorgeous yard and hunt Easter eggs.  I loved every minute of it, and love those family memories!

5) When does spring arrive where you live?

I live in the deep south, in the Mobile, AL area, and spring usually arrives in the early part of march, this year it is running late!

6) Most exciting spring fashion trend?

The big bright bold colors and prints, I hope to fill your wardrobes!

In order to read more of spring fashion trends, read more from Ang at Real Vintage.

The vintage clothing and fashion industry has it’s challenges, and one of the constant challenges that I face each and every day, is identifying fabrics.  For some people this may come easy, but I think for the majority of the vintage clothing sellers, this is a common challenge (unless you have the talent of sewing).  A few years ago I found a fantastic vintage book that has helped me with this challenge in learning how to identify fabrics.  “Better Homes & Gardens Sewing Book, Sewing How-to for home and family”. This book not only offers basic sewing techniques, equipment, tips, etc., but also valuable information on handling special fabrics, finishing details, and a fabulous fabric dictionary.  The following pages will identify eighty three different fabrics and show an example of each fabric.  Please note all of this information is from the Better Homes & Garden Sewing Book and not the property of Sydney’s Vintage Clothing.  Please let me know if you find this how to guide valuable.                                  

The hat that came to dinner…and is staying the season

From a prized purchase, the first issue of Kaleidoscope of American Fashion, first issue, October 1948. I will be sharing some great insight into American fashion from this book of knowledge. It is simply unbelievable!”Small, embellished, worn like jewels, to adorn the head. Hats to dine in, to dance in. Most of all, perfect theater hats, head-hugging, to stay firmly in place as a sparkling costume accent, never a nuisance. Good millinery.”"Carnegie’s draped helmet in rayon stain folded to the head. Rhinestone and pearl wings over ears. No. 5084. About $70.”                                                                                                                      The tiny bonner with peaked edges, set with brilliants against velour’s, bound with a nose veil. Florence Reichman. No. 669. About $60.                                                                                                                          “The Abrabian headdress…layers of tulle against the night wind…then the swathed pillbox of veiling, glittering with jet…the whole tied with tulle. Mt. John, Inc. No 3002. About $72.50″Casual hats shape up for a city career“Sophie’s poke cloche in eggnog velour’s, with double cushion brim, brace of wings centered with natural pheasant feathers. Otto Lucas. No. 644-55. About $45.                                                                                                                           I absolutely love old fashion magazines! The history of the fashion artists, the photos of the time era, gaining the knowledge of now “vintage” products. Of course Queen Elizabeth has set the trend for the hat of the year for decades, not to forget the Red Hat Society for their love of hats. The hats pictured above might be captured photos from 1948, but walk the streets of New York City, or Hollywood Boulevard, and you will see some of these same styles in 2008. Learn more about 40’s hats.

Visit the Santa Monica, Ca. Civic Auditorium on February 2 & 3, 2008 for some of the best west coast vintage clothing and textile dealers as they gather for the Vintage Fashion Expo.  “Each Expo includes 75 to 100 dealers from across the country and the clothing, textiles, jewelry, and accessories they offer for sale cover a span of more than 125 years as diverse as the repressed Victorian era, the Roaring Twenties, the humorous platform-shoe/hip-hugging era of the 1970s and the more recent Retro Styles sought by today’s fashion-conscious teens and twenty-somethings.”The Shopping hours at all Expos run from 10:30 am to 6 pm on Saturdays and from 11 am to 5 pm on Sundays. Admission is $10. An Early Buying session runs from 9 to 10:30 am on Saturday and carries a $20 admission. Free Sunday return for all admissions.  Click here for a $2 off coupon on admission.I would love for some collectors who have attended the vintage fashion expo show previously comment on the quality, prices, show performance, overall rating.  Let’s hear from our viewers!

Fashion in the 1940’s

The American people were just recovering from the great depression, and World War II had already set in, Americans were rationing on the supplies of fabric, leather and metal.  The American fashion designers created brighter designs to help bring up the morale among the American people.  Not having the supply of French couture, Vogue & Harper’s Bazaar fashion magazine wrote columns regularly for the American people to discover fashion shows in New York and American designers.  Some of the designers that were unheard of before became well known during this time.The fashion from the 40’s, although rationed, has a major part on American Fashion History.  Today, clothing from the 40’s is some of the most sought after among vintage clothing collectors.Learn more about the 40’s fashion and see some examples of period clothing.

Mark your calendar for a special event coming up in May 2008.  It is no secret that Whitaker ~ Augusta Auction Company is America’s only auction house specializing exclusively in the sale of Couture & Vintage Clothing, Lace, Linens, Accessories, Textiles & fashion-related Ephemera and Objects.\r\nThe following are prime examples of some of the incredible quality vintage clothing the Whitaker’s Auction Company offers.Cut Velvet En Disposition Ballgown, c. 1840’s

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1950’s Red Ceil Chapman Dress

 

1860’s Orchid Wool Robe

 

Keep in mind those were samples from previous auctions, however, Whitaker will be hosting another spectacular auction on May 9 & 10, 2008, for their “Spring Auction”.  The auction company is located in New Hope, Pa.  Charles A. Whitaker & Karen Augusta, auction owners, also offer absentee bidders, phone bidding, and Internet Live Auction Service.  You will be given more details about this event here on the Fashion Runway, as the date approaches.

I recently posted about the upcoming couture jewelry design of Richard DuPuis, the collection is in-stock and available now at Sydney’s Vintage.  Learn more about the California fashion designer that has come out of retirement creating masterpieces. You can view the couture designer jewelry for sale here.

After posting a few days ago about the upcoming Manhattan Vintage Clothing Show, I was contacted with more inside information on the upcoming event.

NO MORE COOKIE-CUTTER BRIDAL GOWNS!

 TODAY’S SMART BRIDES GO VINTAGE

Find Your Own Personal Statement at the Manhattan Vintage Clothing Show, Feb. 8 & 9The passion for a special wedding gown has been every bride-to-be’s ultimate goal.  Now more than ever, the dress must also emphasize the individuality of the bride.  What better way than to shop vintage! 

As contemporary designers such as Vera Wang, Reem Acra, and Lela Rose experiment with color and over-the-top design, vintage remains a treasure trove of inimitable, one-of-a-kind gowns.  Vintage is timeless with the result that today’s bride-to-be can find the individual, personal style she seeks in a vintage selection.Editor Linda Hirst gives a nod to the influence of vintage, writing in the February/March 2007 issue of Modern Bride that “When a bride designs her own dress using assorted Victorian lace petticoats she scooped up in London, you can be sure that her passion for vintage craftsmanship is serious.”  It is the beautiful customized look of vintage gowns that is attracting more and more fashionable brides worldwide.The Manhattan Vintage Clothing Show returns to the Metropolitan Pavilion on February 8 & 9, 2008 with a special exhibit titled Old, New, Borrowed, Blue:  Yesterday’s Modern Bride, curated by Elyce Tetorka, Master’s Degree Candidate from the Fashion Institute of Technology’s Fashion and Textile Studies:  History, Theory, Museum Practice program.

Old, New, Borrowed, Blue:

Yesterday’s Modern Bride showcases beautiful antique and vintage wedding gowns perfect for today’s modern bride. Exquisite examples from the 1900s to the 1970s will be featured, many on loan from the private collection of designer Jana Star and vintage dealers including Arianna Adele of Tahir Boutique, Katherine Manzini of Trappings of Time, Elaine Klausman of Vintage with a Twist, and Joseph Sipos, among others. Visitors will see firsthand how bridal fashions have changed in the last hundred years – from the tightly corseted S-shaped silhouettes, to the Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel inspired short gown and extravagant haute couture of the late 1970s.Wedding gowns were designed to reflect the height of fashion with the most lavish, finest materials money could buy. Exhibition highlights will include a magnificent turn of the century Irish crocheted and c. 1903 silk two-piece gown that show an Art-Nouveau aesthetic, which valued flowing and curvilinear lines. Originally worn with a confining corset that protruded the bosom and derriere while cinching the waist to form an S-shaped curve, it represented the ideal silhouette of the time.Also on display is a late 1920s intricate bias-cut short gown inspired by the look that famous designers Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel and Madeleine Voinnet made fashionable, an early 1930s gown completely encrusted with diamond-shaped sequins, and a luxurious late 1930s velvet gown with a tremendous eight-foot train. 

Representing the post-World War II period of bridal style is an elegant gown from 1948 with a sweetheart-neckline and full-length ballroom skirt, two features that have come to embody traditional wedding fashion.  The most recently designed gown on display will be a late 1970s Vicki Tiel Couture mini-maxi gown.

The best place to find your own special wedding gown is at the Manhattan Vintage Clothing & Antique Textile Sale where dozens of dealers will be showcasing bridal fashions and accessories. A discerning bride-to-be will happily discover confections in white and pastel, rare handmade laces and veils, distinctive headpieces, trims and petticoats — all under one roof.The Manhattan Vintage Clothing Show takes place on Friday, February 8 from 1 – 7 P.M., and on Saturday, February 9 from 10 A.M. – 6 P.M. at the Metropolitan Pavilion – 125 West 18th Street, between 6th and 7th Avenues.  Admission is $20.  For more information, call 518/434-4312 or visit the web site at www.manhattanvintage.com.The following are some of the show highlights on vintage bridal gown specials:

Wedding  Dress, c. 1903

This dress was designed with an art nouveau aesthetic that valued flowing and curvilinear lines. It was worn with a confining corset that protruded the bosom and derriere while cinching the waist to form an S-shaped curve.  Here the elegant wedding gown is pictured without the corset or petticoats to accommodate today’s modern bride. Not only is the natural silhouette beautifully revealed through the delicate silk fabric, but the skirt breathes new life with the excitement and interest provided by increased movement.White silk charmeuse with elegant decorations of machine lace insertions in the skirt; cape-like lace trim draped from shoulder to the bust; high neck and puffed sleeves.

Wedding Dress, c. 1928

This dress is a stunning example of 1920s fashion. Made fashionable the famous couturière Gabrielle Chanel, short dresses such as this made their way down the alter for the first time. The bias-cut skirt and horizontal dagger-like panels of the torso also show the innovative cutting techniques pioneered by the designer Madeleine Vionnet. Here the superior dressmaking skills required of a couture gown are wonderfully expressed, while the handmade rosettes emphasize the simplicity of the bodice. It proves to be both modern and feminine for brides of both yesterday and today.Cream silk satin; appliqué of handmade rosettes on bodice; bias-cut skirt with dagger-like pattern on torso.\

Wedding Dress, early 1930s

The minimal and pared-down lines of this bias-cut dress feature the longer, leaner 1930s silhouette. Sumptuous texture, the type fit for a bride-to-be, was painstakingly achieved by the all-over ¼” diamond-shaped sequin embroidery further dramatized by the luxurious\r\ndrape of the skirt. This dress echoes Hollywood glamour and silver screen goddesses of yesteryear. It also provides an exquisite alternative to beaded or lace gowns for today’s modern bride.

Wedding gowns and veils courtesy of Jana Star

Jewelry courtesy of Day Break Antique

Also new 2008 Bridal Couture Gown Unveiling: Special Emphasis on Vintage Bridal Gowns Coincides with the Unveiling of New Bridal Couture Collections for 2008What do Ralph Lauren, Donna Karan, Anna Sui, Marc Jacobs, Tommy Hilfiger, Miuccia Prada, Betsey Johnson, Calvin Klein, Kenneth Cole all have in common?  They’re high on “retro”! 

Understandably so!  The hottest fashion looks for 2008 take their inspiration from the past.  Where to find absolutely the best retro fashion around?  At the MANHATTAN VINTAGE CLOTHING SHOW, February 8 & 9, 2008 at the Metropolitan Pavilion, 125 West 18th Street between 6th and 7th Avenues.Hands down, this is the vintage clothing event that tops all others.  This spectacular exhibition and sale brings together  over 80 of the country’s foremost vintage design resources for a two-day frenzy of buying.  Everyone from celebrities, stylists, to magazine editors head to the show to dig through the decades for something different. They’ll find it here!

Who wears vintage?  These days everyone!  Drew Barrymore collects vintage.  Winona Ryder and Julia Roberts are often seen wearing vintage dresses.  Sharon Stone has collected vintage cashmere sweaters for years. The 2008 Golden Globes® and Oscar celebrations are certain to be a showcase for vintage designer couture.   Reese Witherspoon, Keira Knightley, and the radiant Kate Beckinsale have all worn vintage on Oscar night.  The Manhattan Vintage Clothing Show is also where designers from all over the world come to shop for that one piece that could spark their next season’s collection.What will we be looking for as Spring approaches?  Beautiful bridal gowns from the Victorian era through to the 50sand 60s when gowns reflected a more modern silhouette.  The Manhattan Vintage Clothing Show will present a special exhibition curated by FIT graduate student Elyce Tetorka, , called “Old New Borrowed Blue:  Yesterday’s Modern Bride.”   The exhibit couldn’t be more timely, coinciding with the showing in February of designer bridal collections for 2008.  Dealers will also stock a wide selection of bridal gowns from all eras for those shoppers planning their Spring/Summer 2008 weddings.  Vintage wedding gowns from top designers have all of the appeal and intricate styling of modern day creations without the enormous price tag.

With the new demand for fashion from the 60s, 70s, and now 80s, showgoers will be shopping for signature silhouettes from these decades.   The boyish, unisex look popularized by such cult figures as Twiggy and Edie Sedgwick is back with  short-cropped hair, rakish newsboy hats, oversized sweaters and shirts worn with tights, mini-skirts and flat knee-high boots; in vogue.  A line dresses and smart suits worn with pearls, a la Jackie Kennedy is another popular, returning look.Showgoers will also find outstanding fashion from cutting-edge designers of the 50s- 80s’ “British Boutique Movement,” among them Thea Porter, Ossie Clark, Mary Quant, Bill Gib, Sandra Rhodes, Jeff Banks, Galliano and Vivienne Westwood.  The show is also the place to shop for designer suits and evening gowns from all eras, terrific buys on vintage jackets, belts, shoes, handbags, lingerie and more.Exhibit Contact:Leigh Infield Associates