Tales From A Vintage Wardrobe

American Beauty

Meet Alyssa.  A California gal for most of her life until her New England genes kicked in and she headed East.  The iconic American Beauty.  And just as, if not more, beautiful on the inside.

I had this Henry Rosenfeld dress in my inventory for years.  As usual, a night of entertaining landed us downstairs in my "atelier/studio/workshop" and when she stepped out from behind the dressing room in this dress, I knew it had found a new home.  I don't know who was more excited~her for finding her dream vintage dress or me for helping them find each other. 

Just call me the "Emma" of vintage.

 

Art Deco 1930s Satin Evening Gown

After a respite from work through the holidays and school vacation week, I'm finally back in my vintage lair.  Where do I start?  So many treasures, so little time.  The family of an Atlantic city socialite born in the early 1900s has entrusted me with part of her estate~~her closets.  I've been sorting through boxes and boxes of treasures...loads of gloves, turbans & scarves and a few amazing handbags.  But the highlight of the lot is this amazing Art Deco 1930s sating evening gown with a WMCA silvertone & rhinestone buckle.

 

 

 

 

Stunning does not even come close to describe this gown.  It was made by the owner's mother for a school dance~~she was crowned queen and I would venture to say this dress had a lot to do with it!  The sleeves are slit from the shoulder to the elbow and it has a deep V back, but there is a panel of fabric sewn onto the right side so she must have literally been sewn into the dress when she wore the panel.  Crystal buttons & a fabulous Art Deco WMCA s & rhinestone buckle put this in the Hollywood Starlet category~~I can almost see Hedy Lamarr sauntering across her dressing room in this!  It's also one of the tiniest dresses I've ever seen~~the waist is barely 20 inches.  I know, depressing, isn't it? 

Unfortunately it was crumpled up in the bottom of a cardboard box (I gave it a light pressing before I photographed it) and is in desperate need of a visit to my trusty dry cleaner.  I'll be sending it out tomorrow and will be trying to find a friend who can model it for the boutique listing.  There is an area right along the hem that is very weak and threadbare, so I'm hoping it will survive the process.  Even in this condition, this gown would melt any Art Deco aficionados heart!

I'd like to take a moment at this time to thank you for continuing to visit Tales From A Vintage Wardrobe through 2010 and hope to see you visit often in 2011!  With all the blogs out there, I'm always amazed that you continue to visit and comment from time to time.  I am truly grateful for your support & the camaraderie we've shared in the vintage corner of blogsville.  My best wishes that this year will be a wonderful one for you and yours~~and for vintage!

Lost & Found

This post is for one very sweet lady who shopped at "The Shoe" Sunday and left her package behind....please contact me at theredvelvetshoe@yahoo.com so I can Pony Express it to you. 

Sunday was a fabulous day in Beantown...pictures forthcoming.  You never know who you are going to meet, do you?

 

A CLIENT GOES SOUTH

 

The south of France, that is!

 

You may recall I had a client who was getting married & honeymooning in France.   

 

I thought she was heading to Paris...

but it turns out she's spending a month in the south of France!

 

Everyone knows that last place you want to be in July & August is in Paris

 

when you could be swimming in the Mediterranean! 

 

Après avoir un temps merveilleux!

  

THE WINNER IS . . .

We are pleased to announce
the winner
for our Vintage Springtime Give~Away:

Julie Vician!

Congratulations, Julie!  I will bring it along to The Top Shelf Flea Market today so you can pick it up & hopefully find some Vintage Wonderful to take home with you!  See you there!

CLIENTELE APPRECIATION PHOTOS

 

Each time I find myself carefully wrapping items that have been purchased at "The Shoe", I find myself wondering just where this precious part of the past will end up.  Mr. Shakespeare nailed it when he said:

"Parting is such sweet sorrow . . . "

So imagine my delight when a certain client, who was an absolute pleasure to serve, sent me these photographs of a vintage hat she purchased from me.

She used it as a decorative accent in her newly renovated vintage~inspired bathroom.

 

A great idea, don't you agree?

Another creative way to add a bit of vintage glam to your day!

As if one thoughtful client wasn't enough, I was thrilled to be granted permission to share this fabulous clientele appreciation photo with you:

Doesn't she look amazing? 
She is a June bride, and I think this is a perfect going~away outfit to wear
on a honeymoon to Paris, don't you?

Keep the photos coming~~even if you purchased something years ago, I'd love to see how you're wearing/displaying it.  I'll only share it here with your permission, but I think it is safe to say I wouldn't be the only one thrilled to see different takes on incorporating vintage fashion into a very modern world.