New at Couture Allure - Vintage Designer Dresses

New at Couture Allure this week are some over-the-top vintage designer evening gowns! I've also added some more sweaters. Be sure to check our What's New page for all the latest listings!

1950s rare Maxwell Shieff ball gown with huge buckle decoration.

1960s Balenciaga silk brocade déshabillé or lounge robe.

1960s gold brocade evening gown and opera coat set.

1960s Donald Brooks evening gown with huge rhinestones at neckline.

1960s Mod wool mini dress with vinyl pockets.

Weekend Eye Candy - Guy Laroche, 1964

I showed this gown a while ago on the Couture Allure Facebook page, but I wanted to share it again. This is one of my all time favorite vintage dresses and I would faint if I ever found it. White lace is covered in mink puff balls. Guy Laroche, 1964.

Caprice Bourret 2

Caprice Bourret

Monica Bellucci

Catherine Bell

Imogen Bailey

Jessica Beil

Alley Baggett 3

Alley Baggett 2

Alley Baggett

Top Wellington Boots

Hi guys,

I hope you all enjoy a small but gorgeous selection of wellington boots I have chosen as my top 6 for this season. They are chic, punky and strongly equestrian inspired. Fierce looking and ready to hit the city! I have also chosen 2 lovely girlie styles too, I loved the subtle detail on the Calvin Klein ones and nothing better to bright my day more than the Chanel camellias.

These boots are a far cry from the ones I have at home, so edgy and fantastically gorgeous, that your feet would be itching to wear them despite the weather.

I do love them all but because I am a rock chick at heart, my very favourites are Dav and Moschino.
How about you?

See you soon.
x

Friday Charm School - The Art of Conversation, Part 4

Welcome to Friday Charm School! There's a lot to this conversation stuff, isn't there?

Conversation Essential 4: Develop Creative Listening Skills

While creative listening will never take the place of participation in a conversation, it is the listener who is often able to keep the conversation ball moving along. Does that sound contradictory? Here's how it works:

The creative listener truly listens to what another person is saying, becoming involved in their story and silently taking note of interesting points that bring up questions or comments. Then when the ball passes to you, you can easily keep the conversation moving with a remark that ties in directly to the statements of the last person. And you can easily ask questions that show you are interested in the other person and that will bring out the best in them.

Here's an example. John is talking with Sarah and Krissy about his recent trip to Paris. Sarah, our creative listener, has been paying attention with interest. When John finishes his story, Sarah might say, "John, I've always wanted to visit Paris, and you make me feel as if I'd been there!" Her creative listening helps keep John enthused in the conversation. Then, to keep the ball moving and to involve Krissy, Sarah can say, "Have you ever traveled to France, Krissy?" This is an invitation for Krissy to pick up the conversation. If she hasn't been to Friday Charm School and drops the ball, Sarah can turn back to John and a question like, "Did you visit any other countries in Europe, John?"

This may sound hokey, but with practice you'll be a natural at keeping the conversation lively and interesting with ease.

Creative listening is nothing more than expressing a sincere interest in another person. It's the highest form of making others interested in you - by you being interested in them!

Angelina Jolie 6

Angelina Jolie 5

Anastacia

Alessandra Ambrosio 4

Alessandra Ambrosio 3

Jessica Alba

Designer Chester Weinberg

I've talked about Chester Weinberg in the past, but today I want to show you a few more of his pieces. Weinberg trained at Parsons School of Design and worked at Leonard Arkin and Herbert Sondheim before becoming the designer at Teal-Traina in 1963. In 1966, he struck out on his own with financial backing from William and Edward Parnes, son and nephew of designer Paul Parnes. The dress shown above is from his first collection in the Fall of 1966. Bergdorf Goodman carried his line, and this dress sold for $160 (about $1085 in today's dollar).

Weinberg's designs were always exquisitely tailored and he only used the finest fabrics. “Fabrics set the whole mood of my collection. I cannot design a dress until I know what the fabric will be.” said Weinberg. You can see that high quality fabric and tailoring in the suit shown above, also from the Fall of 1966.

For the Fall of 1967, his fabric choices became a bit more bold. Here, a geometric tent shaped coat in black and white wool.

A vibrant black, green and red chinchilla cloth coat is flared and has a heavy brass zipper at the side. Sold for $190 in 1967 (about $1250 in today's dollar).

In the early 70s, the Chester Weinberg company floundered due to poor sales of the midi lengths he offered. In 1973, he found new financial backing and re-emerged to offer this collection centered around cashmere sweaters. The Weinberg label closed in 1975, but he continued to design for the Jones Apparel Group and Ballantyne Cashmere.

Street Style

'Street Style'
Fridays @ Portobello

... Some cool people around Portobello Road, Notting Hill.

(Click on the image to enlarge)

Patti, on Portobello Road.
She looks great all in black with some lovely accessories such as her fabulous Alexander Wang bag and her scarf, which was done up in a such nice way. I thought it was very original and totally loved it!

Lucy, near Portobello Road.
Another huge trend this season is the camel cape. Nicely worn with an interesting pair of boots and a classic Louis Vuitton bag.

Anabel, on Portobello Road.

I loved her hair and the colours she chosen for this look. She pulled off the checked shirt with the floral DM's, school meets girlie punk. Sweet.

Claudia, near Portobello Road.

I really liked the combination of prints and I am totally loving her chunky cardigan too. (Another Brazilian chick with loads of style. Adorei!)

Emily, on Westbourne Grove
Wearing a lovely trilby hat with a comfy poncho over everything. Perfect for a relaxed afternoon.

See you soon.
x

Vintage Chanel

Do you notice a difference in Chanel from 1979 to 1983?

1979

1983

Do you know what the difference is?

1979

1983

The difference is Karl Lagerfeld. He was hired as the head designer at Chanel in 1983 and brought the floundering company out of the doldrums. His fresh designs appealed to a new crop of younger women while still paying homage to the spirit of Coco.