Weekend Eye Candy - Versace, 1991

From Spring 1991, Atelier Versace mini dress and coat in seashell printed silk. I wish we had a better view of what must be some fantastic buttons at the sleeve cuffs!

American Fashion Spring 1955

As much as we like to look at and dream about Parisian haute couture, American designs were more relevant and more affordable to a 1955 woman here in the U.S. The styles shown here were featured in an American magazine geared to the average homemaker. Just as fashion magazines and blogs influence our choices today, a 1950s housewife would see these photos as inspiration for ways to update her wardrobe. The big difference is that she couldn't run out to H&M or Target and grab a cheap "fashion fashion" version. No, our 50s homemaker would probably sew her own version or save a few dollars each week for months to be able to purchase one of these designer items that she would then wear for years to come.

Above, Pauline Trigere suit with a striped silk belted jacket and narrow wool skirt.

Golden suit by Claire McCardell worn with blue shoes.

Vera Maxwell silk paisley dress and paisley lined beige silk coat.

Larry Aldrich blue tunic and skirt worn with a nude shoe.

Maurice Rentner cotton sateen floral dress.

Wild Accessories - 1966

During the Mod craze of the mid 1960s, accessories became bold and fun right along with clothing. Today, a look at some fun things from 1966. Would you wear these today?

Above, Veruschka wears a collar made of blue rhinestones by Jack Gilbert.

Huge white plastic earrings by Paco Rabanne.

Peter Bateman wig made of strands of rhinestones. That's one way to sparkle at night!

Mirrored cubes made into earrings and a ring by Antonio Lopez for Paris House.

Plastic jewelry by Ingeborg/Georgio for Richelieu.

Favourite stalls at Portobello market

Hi guys,

Today I'm sharing some pictures from one of the best second hand shoe shops in London, based on Portobello Road.
It all started as a stall on the market and then it became a lovely shop called 'Boots, boots, boots'.
I've met Claudia many years ago at her local stall at the market on Fridays, she's always been so lovely that when I started the blog the first person I wanted to talk about, was her. So, I took some pictures and wrote the very first feature of 'Fridays @ Portobello' about her boots stall. With an array of very well selected vintage shoes, Claudia always had one the busiest stalls of the market and she's always managed to have some fantastic new stock every week, therefore it's not a surprise that her stall and shop has many devotees like me.

'Boots, boots' boots' was born a couple of years ago at the iconic address
282 Portobello Road and it's open during the week, which makes easier for anyone who wants to visit the shop. Apart from shoes, you will also find some cool vintage clothing and accessories.
Oh, by the way I have spotted a few celebrities there on the weekdays too. If you are in London a visit to this place is a total MUST! Make sure to make a note of it.

See you soon.
x

Meet Kristin and Penny

Meet Kristin, who is a beautiful red head with a flair for fashion. Kristin bought this yummy 1960s leopard print coat by Dan Millstein from Couture Allure and I think she looks simply fabulous in it! Meow!

The flared shape of the coat falls beautifully at the back, don't you think? Kristin said she has the perfect long black gloves to wear with the coat when the weather warrants. Enjoy your coat Kristin!

1960s Dan Millstein faux leopard fur coat at Couture Allure.

You've met Penny of Penny Dreadful Vintage before. Penny recently left her job to start selling vintage full time. She close to wear this cheery 1950s pink silk dress that she purchased from Couture Allure for her last day at the job. Best of luck with your vintage venture, Penny! I know you'll be a big success!

Helena Rubinstein, Style Icon

"There are no ugly women, just lazy ones." ~ Helena Rubinstein

These photos of Rubinstein illustrate her belief. She was a woman of great style with incredible taste in jewelry. In fact, her collection of jewelry included pieces once owned by Catherine the Great. The collection was said to have been worth $1 million in 1943. That's about $13 million in today's dollar. How I wish we could go back in time to the 1960s, when Rubinstein's estate was auctioned off. I'd love to have seen that auction catalog!

Wartime Advertisements, 1943

It's 1943, right in the middle of WWII, and the pages of major fashion magazines are filled with ads that reference the war effort. It's very interesting. Take a look:

"Military and Civilian: A Uniform for civilian war activities...a favorite suit or coat for day-in, day-out service! A costume to live in, for the duration, if necessary - and like it! In all six wars in which American troops have been engaged since the founding of the Hockanum Mills in 1809...Hockanum Woolens of superlative quality have been supplied, as now, for the Uniforms of the Armed Forces and for Civilian Clothes on the Home Front."

"Pretty for HIM fashions by Huxley. A complete wardrobe for the Colonel's Lady and the Sergeant's Bride....for north or south, now till late Spring! Slim, trim, color-matched to ingermingle. Packs light and wears like a charm!"

Stetson showed several hats with "Front-Line interest" The top one is "Jaunty as military music". The bottom fedora is "Right dress for furlough dates".

"He's coming home on a furlough. Probably the happiest moment in his life - coming home to his family - his own room- perhaps his dog - and to all of his cherished personal possessions. He has dreamed about this home-coming for months, and now everything looks just as he hoped it would. It is comfortable and inviting. His mother always managed to add the touches that gave the place that indescribable atmosphere of home. A few flowers carefully arranged, and , on an accessible corner of the table, ice-cold Coca-Cola saying welcome in its own refreshing way."

Perhaps most telling, a full page recruitment ad for the Citizens Service Corps contributed by the magazine.

"What did you do today...for Freedom? Today, at the front, he died....Today, what did you do? Next time you see a list of dead and wounded, ask yourself: "What have I done today for freedom? What can I do tomorrow that will save the lives of men like this and help them win the war?"

Easter 1963

When I was a child, my mother would dress me and my sisters all alike on Easter. We would always make a big impression at church, especially after we had had our fill of chocolate eggs and jelly beans. Here I am with 3 of my sisters (the youngest wasn't born yet) in 1963 or 64. I'm the tall one in the back. The dresses were blue gingham with white lace around the skirt. We had to wear them with itchy scratchy crinoline slips. And of course, we all had matching white patent shoes and ankle socks. I think mom let us each choose a different white patent purse that year.

Happy Easter to you all, especially to my family! Ah, the memories.

Trend- Yellow nail varnish

Hi guys,

With Chanel on the lead once again, the yellow nail varnish trend seems to be strong for the Summer. The first yellow attempt from Chanel was part of a special collection. The varnish was called L.A. sunshine, you still can buy it via Amazon but I suppose it didn't take off massively because I don't think it was an international release as Mimosa, which has been yet again another success from the French house.

If Chanel is too much for your budget, there are many options to chose from. Here is a selection of my favourites.

Yellow and not mellow! I shall try.

See you soon.
x

Weekend Eye Candy - Paco Rabanne, 1966

Paco Rabanne stitches colored plastic triangles to a white crepe sleeveless coat for spring 1966. This work must have all been done by hand. You can see the little white stitches at the corners of all the plastic pieces. Incredible!

A forgotten gift

Hi guys,

What a sunny, beautiful and hot day it has been. I went for a quick stroll down the Portobello market, which was reasonably quiet. Easter weekend is one of times of the year that a lot of people leave London, and sometimes is the best time to shop and have a good look around.

As I was getting ready, I was very much delighted for coming across this little bag, just what I was looking for and I found it right on my bag 'box'! My mum gave me this one a couple of years back and I had completely forgotten about it. It's just such an easy little bag, made of suede and leather with the perfect size for my sunnies case, wallet, phone and keys.

A basic black dress is always present on my Summer wardrobe, by the way I have just got a new maxi dress from Zara, which I will show you soon...

Dress: From Gap -found on a second hand shop, Hat and Belt: Jigsaw, Rings: H&M, Shoes: Clarks, Sunglasses: Chanel, Bag: from Brazil.

See you soon.
x

In Your 1960s Easter Bonnet

Sunday is Easter, a day when traditionally a woman would unveil her new spring hat with much fanfare. It's going to be a week of few words as we look at hats through the years. Use your imagination and make up your own story about the women who wore these hats, or about yourself having the experience of wearing one of them. Share your story in the comments if you like. Today, the 1960s, the last great decade of hats.