Tales From A Vintage Wardrobe

Elizabeth Arden, The Designer

This rare & lovely 1960s suit hails from the design house of Elizabeth Arden, New York.  Among highly noted designers associated with Elizabeth Arden were Charles James, Ferdinando Sarmi & during the 1960s, Oscar de la Renta, renowned for dressing style icon Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy during the "Camelot" years in the White House. 

Now available at The Red Velvet Shoe.

 

Black Velvet If You Please

1960s/Camelot Vintage Ben Barrack New York Evening Gown...find it here.

 

 

What Lies Beneath

 

 

We've been stocking up our "Vintage Lingerie/Boudoir" Floor of the boutique this week...click on any of the photos above for more details about the item.  And remember: 

 

(photo courtesy of thelingerieaddict.com)

(For more lovely vintage lingerie check out this great article by We Heart Vintage.)

Paul Stuart ~ Houndstooth, Herringbone, Tweed & Twill & A Giveaway (Victoria Magazine November 1996)

 

 

Velvet riding jacket, Han Feng; Blue & White Striped Shirt, Cego; Cuff Links, Paul Stuart ; Silk slacks, Nicole Farhi; Brown Hat, Lola Millinery ; Velvet lace-up boots, Emporio Armani.

 

 

 

Tea time at The Lord Thompson Manor, Thompson, CT.

 

 

 

All furniture, Marie Albert; desk-chair fabric, Schumacher.

 

 

 

Jacket & Yellow Ascot, Paul Stuart; Ivory Blouse with french cuffs, Romeo Gigli ; Pants, Ralph Lauren; Velvet Shoes, Emporio Armani ;  throw, Pendleton.

 

 

 

Jacket (which I am coveting), Escada Sport; Skirt (also love), Rodney Vaughn Telford; Hat, Brenda Lynn, Suede lace-up boots, Ralph Lauren; Shirt, Flatiron Workshop

 

 

 

Edwardian Sofa; Vintage plaid pillow, English Country Antiques

 

 

 

Desk as sideboard & Ottoman, Marie Albert; "Medeival Red" Velvet Paisley Fabric, Ralph Lauren; Camel Shawl, Ballantyne Cashmere

 

 

Coat & bias-cut velvet skirt, Zuzka for Fabricology; Antique Bakelite pin, Rin Tin Pin; Velvet Shoes, Donald J. Pliner; Porcelain Cup & Saucer, "Vulcain" by Bernardaud; "Antique Velvet" on chaise longue, Schumacher;  "Herringbone" crystal stemware, Ralph Lauren

 

 

 

Blue shirt, Cego; Pocket Square & Suspenders, Paul Stuart; c1880 Toiletry Set, The Mill at West Hampton

 

 

 

Striped shirts in armoire, Flatiron Workshop ; Houndstooth Leather Bag (want!), Ghurka; Shoes (from left): Donald J. Pliner, Emporio Armani, Cole-Haan ; Leather Bag, Coach ; Blankets, Donegal Tweed, Faribault & Pendleton.  All furniture, Marie Albert

 

 

Irish plaid lamb's wool scarves, Foxford ; Paisley silk scarf, olive green hat & wool plaid bag, Paul Stuart.

 

 

Brown stripe shirt, Cego ; Red Ascot, walking sticks,striped umbrella & tortoise cuff links, Paul Stuart ; Double breasted jacket & pants, Ralph Lauren ; Vest, Pendleton ; Shoes, Cole Haan ; Ankle Length Coat, Rodney Vaughn Telford; Driving Gloves, Joseph Abboud.

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I've written about my adored collection of (almost vintage) Victoria Magazines a few times over the years here at "Tales".  For all the times I've looked through them, I never tire of them.  (If only people were that way...)  I just brought out my stack of November issues, ranging from 1990-2002, and found that I have some duplicates, November 1996 being one of them.  

It's a gorgeous issue featuring articles such as "A Colette Pilgrim's Progress" by Judith Thurman for all my fellow Francophiles, an article on "Creating A Timeless Toy" featuring English toymaker Tom Cobley, "Come Gather At Our Table" just in time for Thanksgiving, and, my favorite, painstakingly scanned & researched in the above photo collection: "Fabrics We Love for Home & Fashion ~~ Houndstooth, Herringbone, Tweed & Twill".  It features some lovely treasures, many from Paul Stuart, who, "since 1938, has been the leading arbiter of taste, style, and fashion for luxury menswear in the United States".

All photos featured here by Toshi Otsuki. Taken on location at The Lord Thompson Manor in Thompson, CT (my childhood stomping grounds).

 

~~ If you'd like a chance to win a copy of this issue of
Victoria Magazine, 
please leave a comment on this blog post.  
The winner will be announced on
Monday, 18 November ~~

 

 

 

Newport Vintage Dance Week

It was just about a year ago that I wrote about the Newport Vintage Dance Week, hosted by The Commonwealth Vintage Dancers. (If you missed it you can read about it here.)   Part of the schedule last year was an afternoon at The Newport International Polo Grounds to watch a polo match, enjoy a picnic buffet and dance under the big white tent.  The CVD contacted me to see if I wouldn't mind adding a bit of vintage tailgaiting decor to the event and to observe, interview & capture it through photographs.  I jumped at it, of course.

There was one common thread that ran through the brief conversations I was able to have with some of the guests: a fear that the days were numbered for events such as this and that there was a weakening interest in all that the CVD and it's devotees stand for.  I drove home that night feeling as if I had been transported back in time to old~world Newport, the original resort town by the sea and fearing, too, that this wonderful experience would not be had by many more in todays rapidly & ever-changing world. . .

After much thought, I decided to wait until the spring to write this post, thinking that it could give the event a big shout-out as the season was just about to descend upon us but in plenty of time to book the trip and save the date.

I visited the website this week to confirm the event dates and so forth and lo and behold you won't believe it but:

Booked Solid.  The entire week.  A wait list in place.  How is that possible?  I ask myself after so many voiced concern over a lack of interest, not to mention that bad "e" word -- the troubled economy.  Well, maybe it was the wonderful piece Bill Cunningham wrote for the NYT about it or the great narrated video he created.   Perhaps all the attention and excitement about the release of the 2012 version of "The Great Gatsby" directed by Baz Luhrmann?  Who knows?  What I do know is that it doesn't get much better than that for CVD and I am sending my warmest congratulations to them and best wishes for another wonderful week in Newport. 

And now, just about one year later, but all the sweeter for the memory, are my photographs from

The Newport Vintage Dance Week
at
The Newport International Polo Grounds
30 July 2011.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outings: "Passport to the World: Doris Duke the International Traveler"

(Photo Credit: Reena Bammi for Rhode Island Monthly March 2012 issue)

Looking for an excuse to spend the day or, better yet, a long weekend in Newport, RI?  I am, and I've found a perfect one.  Flipping through Rhode Island Monthly's March issue during lunch today I happened upon this lovely photograph on the last page.  It's of a vintage vanity case by Morabito, Paris.  Their motto?  "Luxury is not exceptional.  It is the exceptional which is luxurious."  I could not agree more.  This lovely artifact is from the private collection of Doris Duke.  If you, too, have fallen in love with this photo, then you must make your way to Newport for this exhibit:

What:   "Passport to the World: Doris Duke the International Traveler" 
Where:  Rough Point Estate  680 Bellevue Avenue  Newport, RI
When:  Opens 12 April 2012
How:    Tickets & Reservations 

 

 

 

Victoria's Secret No. 10 Margaret Street, London W1

(Victoria Magazine - February 1990)

After a look at The Trad's post from M Magazine-1985,  I was motivated to dig out some of my beloved old Victoria magazines for a look-through.  Sigh.  To quote Karen in Out of Africa:  "How good it all was..." 

Art of Dressing

However you will be spending the coming days, I can only hope you and your man look this good...

 

 

What's on Your Wish List?

 

Nothing Like a Man in an Ascot

Four lovely vintage paisley ascots/cravats are on their way into my Etsy Shop.  From left to right:

• Vintage Salterio Seta Pura Made in Italy in red, hunter green, gold & black on brown paisley
• Vintage Trademark "Celanese" Acetate Fabric British Made in green/gray, beige, black & holly red paisley
• Vintage Liberty of London All Silk in chocolate brown, salmon, deep gold & slate blue/grey paisley
• Vintage Made in England Liberty of London All Silk in khaki, russet, beige, sea green & pale blue/grey paisley

For the Captain Wentworth in your life...