Belinda Bellville: Society Dressmaker

Belinda Bellville is world renowned for her stylish dress designs, and as co-founder with David Sassoon of Britain’s foremost couture label "Bellville Sassoon".

Born in Leicestershire, the eldest of three children, Belinda had a traditional upbringing being educated initially by a governess in Wales and then at the girls school “Miss Faunces”. There was no opportunity for design qualifications in the 1930's and 1940's, however Belinda remained determined to design clothes. With no formal training, but as a former debutante, she knew the social circles she needed to attract. In 1953 she created the label "Bellville et Cie" and dressed young women and their fashionable mothers at every ball, party and society event of note.

Then in 1958 she met David Sassoon at the Royal College of Art. David brought experience of pattern cutting, as well as expert technical know-how in the  creation of women’s clothing. Together they went on to perfect what she had started. They developed an ever-changing collection of wonderfully glamorous couture dresses, bridal wear and a ready-to-wear collection, as well as a successful licensing relationship with Vogue Patterns.

Belinda Bellville with model - Photo by John Young

The 1960's and 1970's saw a whole host of glamorous women wear Belinda and David's clothes, including many members of the royal family, Jackie Kennedy, Elizabeth Taylor, Audrey Hepburn, and Catherine Deneuve. By the end of the decade, a survey showed that Bellville et Cie had made more society wedding dresses over the past 30 years than any other couture house. In 1970 David was made partner and the name was changed to "Bellville Sassoon", they now had a staff of over 100. The business continued to prosper through the 1970s. (Text taken from: http://www.holkham.co.uk/downloads/glamour_gowns_2013.pdf)

The yellow kimono above designed by Belinda Bellville featured in Vogue UK June 1968 issue and blossoms with dragon flowers and green vines, wide trousers that touches down to the floor and the most amazing sleeves you ever seen. 

Vintage Mod and Colorful Dress

I came across this photo of  models Sara Crichton-Stuart and Twiggy outside London's"Hung On You" boutique in 1966 wearing dresses that's very similar to one right now on Miss Sixties Vintage Fashion website. How often does this happen!

A very pop-art style shift dress. The colors are vibrant in blue, yellow, and red.
Cuff at wrist closes with zippers and the label reads "Ranelle Fashion, Inc"

Style Moment

Model wearing evening gown with stand up ruff on collar and wrist by Mollie Parnis
large jeweled cross by Thomas Robbins - Vogue, April 1969

Flirt With Ruffles

Nightwear has never been so prettier .... Tiers and tiers of ruffled wide-legged pants with matching V-neck sleeveless bolero top pajama set by Beau-Sure featured in the November 15, 1965 issue of U.S. Vogue.

Knit Design

A cream knit top ribbed, laced and frilled at the wrist with lace crochet
and supported by a suede and thong belt. By John Craig, Vogue UK March 1971

Sixties Shoe Explosion

Strapped, Tied, Buckled or Buttoned - Due to the array of styles, it’s hard to describe a distinct look for 1960's footwear; all pretty and practical. Some child-like but elegant, flat, stack-heel, the kitten heel, sling- backs, and some decorated with jewels and stones. And to bring more attention to those lovely shoes; you would throw on fishnet, lace stockings or some colorful opaque tights to complete the look.

                  Jeweled evening shoes by Luini                                      Shoes by Pedro Garcia

Strapped sling sandal by Delman, Vogue, August 1965 

Shoes by Herbert Levine, Vogue UK, March 1967

A Family Affair: The Van Raalte Company

Brothers Emanuel and Zealie Van Raalte in 1907, established the E & Z Van Raalte Company in New York City. In 1910, in Paterson, New Jersey, they established the first American veil-producing factory. The business became so successful that by 1920 it was the largest silk-veiling and net factory in the world and branched out to manufacture and sell silk jersey cloth, gloves, underwear, and hosiery. By 1920, they had 12 factories throughout New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania and sold its products through all of the upscale department stores of the day and they became known for their high level of quality. 

Van Raalte 1953 lingerie Ad

Veruschka posing in a Van Raalte blue silk and black lace ribbon chemise
 Vogue, September 1965

Van Raalt 1954 lingerie Ad

Van Raalte 1959 lingerie Ad

Van Raalte 1954 stocking Ad

Retail Therapy

"Please hurry up with my order I have more shopping to do"

A Touch of Class

Vogue, March 15, 1965

What a great accessory created by costume jewelry designer Miriam Haskell! A single tassel of rhinestones clipped to the ear-top and swoops up over the hair and ends in a little crescent-moon shape comb.

Style Moment: Pierre Cardin

Italian model and actress Elsa Martinelli wearing black leather coat by Pierre Cardin
Vogue Paris, March 1967

An Important Voice: Nina Simone

I can remember the first time I became mesmerize with singer, pianist, and songwriter Nina Simone. It was while watching the 1993 film "Point of No Return" starring actress Bridget Fonda who played an assassin and had a fascination with the singer's music. Many of Nina Simone songs were used on the soundtrack to the film and they were incredible. Her voice is filled with so much soul and emotion - I instantly fell in love with her deep baritone voice, its one-of-a kind.

 

Photo by Teenie Harris, 1965

Nina Simone sang a mix of jazz, blues and classical music and was an accomplished pianist as well as a vocalist and studied at New York's Julliard. Born Eunice Kathleen Waymon in Tryon, North Carolina on February 21, 1933, Nina’s talent as a musician was evident early on when she started playing piano by ear at the age of three. In 1954, Eunice auditioned to sing at the Midtown Bar & Grill on Pacific Avenue in Atlantic City, New Jersey Word spread about this unique singer and overnight Eunice Waymon became Nina Simone by taking the nickname “Nina” meaning “little one” in Spanish and “Simone” after the actress Simone Signoret. In the early 1960's she became involved in the civil rights movement and her music was highly influential in the fight for equal rights for African Americans in the United States. Visit http://www.ninasimone.com/bio/ to explore more on her life!

Pastel Blues album, 1965

One of Nina Simone classy looks

Nina Simone "Live" album, 1957

Thigh High

How wonderful are these shiny black thigh-high boots stripped with white scrolls
by Delman, Vogue, August 1968

Vintage Beauty Catch

Model Marsha Hunt wearing a Pablo & Delia silver and leather neckband
with blue beads and feathers - Make up by Gala - Vogue, April 1, 1971 

Vintage All-In-One

How incredible are these 1960s floral print Pan T Boots or some may call them Stocking Boots. Possibly made of nylon and lycra and would have been worn with a micro-mini, dress or a cute waist top.

Vintage Films: French Love

I recently watched for the second time the 1960's French film "Breathless" (À bout de souffle) about car thief Michel played by Jean-Paul Belmondo who sees himself as a young Humphrey Bogart and flees to Paris after committing petty crimes and killing a cop in Marseille. While on the run and in Paris he meets and starts a relationship with American student Patricia played by Jean Seberg an aspiring journalist. Pat sells the New York Herald Tribune on the Champs-Elysee (a street in Paris) and the film follows the two leisurely strolling down the streets of Paris and hanging out in her apartment. I wasn't too excited about the movie, but what did grab my attention were the Paris attractions, the visual styles and the clothes which were casual and simple, but stylish.

Vintage Style

Model Marie Lise Gres in a Mary Quant pants suit, 1960's

Fashion Moment: Peaches & Cream

I really love the orange and cream color scheme designer Carolina Herrera had on the runway  for her Spring/Summer 2014 collection. The colors look so pretty together and really compliment each other very well.

Classic Vogue Cover

March 1, 1961 - Photo by Irving Penn

An Pucci Affair

What woman wouldn't want to wear the most identifiable print by the most recognizable designer of the twentieth century

Isabella Rossellini wearing an Emilio Pucci shirt, scarf and matching sunglasses

Jacqueline Susann author of 1966 novel "Valley of the Dolls"

Marilyn Monroe

Stylist Rachel Zoe in vintage maxi Pucci

Vogue's Helen Gurley Brown wearing Pucci Tropicana print dress, 1969

Stewardess wearing Emilo Pucci uniforms for Braniff International Airways, 1960's

Fashion Editorial: Vintage-Inspired

Model Cara Delevingne does a lovely editorial titled "The Transformer" in the June 2013 issue of Vogue China impersonating 1960's icons Twiggy, Jean Shrimpton and Penelope Tree - Photographs by Patrick Demarchelier.