Tales From A Vintage Wardrobe Blog

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.

 

 

Raindate is May 3rd! Urban Vintage Bazaar Spring Fashion Event 2014 (Fashion at Brown)

 

It's that time of year again!  
Carmen & Ginger 
is hosting 
The Urban Vintage Bazaar

Saturday 3 May 2014*

Brown University Campus
Multipurpose Room, Lower Level, 75 Waterman Street
10 - 6 pm
18 Vendors
in collaboration with 
Fashion at Brown Fashion Week Spring 2014 

Click on the following link for directions & additional information:

Urban Vintage Bazaar SPRING FASHION EVENT 2014

*due to rain in the forecast the event was moved to the scheduled rain date of May 3, 2014 

Vintage Elizabeth Arden, Anyone?

Absence makes the heart grow fonder...and I return with three beautiful treasures to show off and hopefully make up for my lack of posts about vintage as of late.

This rather amazing late 1950s/early 60s Elizabeth Arden New York suit will be availabe soon...Arden spent a rather limited time in the fashion world compared to many designers, but her work and that of her designers is considered to be among the finest.  

We also found this sweet Teena Paige 1950s Vintage ivory lace bodice & black velvet cocktail dress...my daughter has put her claim on it, but I told her we'll see...so if you have to have it, speak now or forever hold your peace....which, ironically leads me to:

this beautiful pair of Kenneth Cole ivory bridal satin pumps with floral garland detail...size 8.  My size, but since I've already walked down that long aisle twice, I'm going to let them go to another bride to be.

SAVE THE DATE:  21 April 2013 we'll be setting up shop once again at The Urban Vintage Bazaar in Providence, RI ....more details to follow.

 

Victoria Magazine Ads September 1990

Hunt Club collection from JCPenney.  (I love this.  But does The Trad approve?)

Jessica McClintock ~ The Fragrance and forest brocade and lace dresses.

Lancome's most beautiful "face" ~ Isabella Rossellini.

 

 

Grand Opening: The Vintage Menswear Floor at The Red Velvet Shoe

It's been suggested enough times over (that to ignore it would be bad) that The Red Velvet Shoe should have a floor of treasures entirely for men.   I've found some really great things over the years (those vintage ascots among my favorites) and when I do throw them out there, they usually go like hotcakes.  So, why not?  To be honest, I don't know very much about vintage menswear.  I tend to spend most of my time "researching" everything so I can properly present it, which makes me weary & confused and, worst of all, extremely slow about adding new merchandise to any floor, never mind one for Vintage Menswear.

Digging through my inventory this weekend I decided to bite the bullet and just do it.  As I type I am awaiting replies from Pratt Institute Libraries & an assistant curator at RISD, not to mention the now-famous editor of M:  The Civilized Man, my go-to guy for anything menswear related.  In the meantime, without giving you too many erroneous details, here are a few of the treasures that will debut on the "Vintage Menswear" Floor of The Shoe. 

Vintage "British Accent -Tailored by Tiger of Sweden - GULINS" cavalry twill riding jacket with hacking pockets & fabulous silk print lining...c1970s.    (See, I told you he was the best!) 

Vintage navy blue silk jacquard dressing gown from Shepard's Men's Store (old-world Providence, RI)...this beauty is the equivalent of champagne, dark chocolate & pom frites with lots of salt, vinegar & ketchup with far less calories and much more sharing ability...I already want to keep it.

"Deux Coups de Chapeau" / Costume, et Pardessus, de Lus et Befve
Illustrator:  Mourgue, Pierre
Designer:  Lus et Befve
Date:  1922

My 10 years as Administrating Assistant of a Fine Art & Picture Framing Gallery paid off...it's an original plate and in excellent condition..not to mention the mat colors & frame, although modern, were well chosen and have an air of antiquity to them.

"Original, well chosen, with an air of antiquity"...that has a certain ring to it. 

The Vintage Menswear Floor
Now Open
at
The Red Velvet Shoe

(updated 4 June 2012 to announce Grand Opening)

 

 

 

 

 

The Ivy Style (Preppy) Collection

Vintage Foster Grants

Vintage Navy Blue, Pink & White Leather Wallet Horse Bit Buckle Closure

Mid-Century Aqua, Pink, Olive & White Twill Striped Scarf

Vintage Bullet Bra Pink & Green Floral Swimsuit

Introducing "The Ivy Style (aka Preppy) Collection" at The Red Velvet Shoe on Etsy.  Hey, everyone else is jumping on the bandwagon, so why not? 

 

 

Art of Dressing

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

 

 

Aubrey Beardsley~Let The Bidding Begin...

Vintage late 1960s-early 1970s Aubrey Beardsley "The Peacock Skirt" print dress
Live Auction 30 November-5 December
View Auction Listing

What's on Your Wish List?